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7.4 Relative Pronoun as Object of Preposition
The relative pronoun can be the object of a preposition (to, about, with, of, etc.). Usually the preposition is at the end of the adjective clause.
PEOPLE
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prep. object
I sold my computer to a person.
who(m) The person Ø I sold my computer to paid me $200. (Informal) that
The person to whom I sold my computer paid me $200. (Formal)
THINGS
prep. object
Bezos started the business with this money.
that The money Ø Bezos started his business with came from his parents. which
The money with which Bezos started his business came from his parents.
Notes: 1. We usually put the preposition at the end of the adjective clause and omit the relative pronoun. The person I sold my computer to paid me $200. Do you know the person you bought your laptop from? 2. In very formal English, we put the preposition before whom and which. That is not used directly after a preposition. The person to whom I sold my computer paid me $200. (not: to who or to that) The money with which Bezos started his business came from his parents. (not: to that)
EXERCISE 7 Make these sentences more informal by taking out the relative pronoun and putting the preposition at the end of the adjective clause.
1. There are several travel websites in which I am interested.
2. There is a new website about which everyone is talking.
3. The link on which you click will take you to that site.
4. The information for which you are looking can be found on that site.
6. Finding a vacation home online is not a method to which I’m accustomed.
7. The house on which we decided is in the mountains.
8. The owner to whom I spoke was very helpful.
9. There’s one thing about which I’m sure: Renting a vacation home is a good deal.
EXERCISE 8 Combine the two sentences to make one. Write each sentence in the formal and informal way, starting with the words given.
1. This site has vacation rentals. I’m interested in these vacation rentals.
This site has vacation rentals (which/that) I’m interested in. This site has vacation rentals in which I’m interested.
2. I’m interested in a house. The house has three bedrooms.
The house
The house
3. I’m taking a vacation with some friends. These friends want to rent a house.
The friends
The friends
4. I got a lot of information from a person. I spoke to the person.
I got a lot of information from the person
I got a lot of information from the person
5. We are responsible for only one thing. We are responsible for cleaning the house.
The only thing
The only thing
