Discuss the use of 'where' and 'when' in defining relative clauses.

Relative Clauses Questions Long



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Discuss the use of 'where' and 'when' in defining relative clauses.

Relative clauses are subordinate clauses that provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause. They are introduced by relative pronouns, such as 'who', 'whom', 'whose', 'which', 'that', 'where', and 'when'. In this answer, we will focus on the use of 'where' and 'when' in defining relative clauses.

The relative pronoun 'where' is used to refer to a place or location. It is commonly used to define a noun or pronoun that represents a location. For example:

1. The city where I was born is very beautiful.
- In this sentence, 'where' introduces the relative clause 'where I was born', which defines the noun 'city'. It provides additional information about the place of birth.

2. This is the park where we used to play as children.
- Here, 'where' introduces the relative clause 'where we used to play as children', which defines the noun 'park'. It gives more information about the specific park where the speaker and their friends used to play.

Similarly, the relative pronoun 'when' is used to refer to a specific time or period. It is commonly used to define a noun or pronoun that represents a time. For example:


1. The day when we met was unforgettable.
- In this sentence, 'when' introduces the relative clause 'when we met', which defines the noun 'day'. It provides additional information about the specific day when the speaker and someone else met.

2. This is the year when I graduated from college.
- Here, 'when' introduces the relative clause 'when I graduated from college', which defines the noun 'year'. It gives more information about the specific year of the speaker's graduation.

In both cases, 'where' and 'when' are used to add descriptive details to the noun or pronoun they define. They help to specify the location or time being referred to, providing a clearer understanding of the context.

It is important to note that 'where' and 'when' can only be used in defining relative clauses when they refer to a place or time, respectively. If they are used to refer to other elements, such as people or things, different relative pronouns should be used instead.