English grammar: When and Where
When and where are also used as relative pronouns, especially in lower formal
jotting and discussion. They're always used in restrictive relative clauses.
We use when to describe antecedents that have to do with time, as in
• “ That’s the day when we met. ”
• “ I ’m looking forward to a time when the world will be at peace. ”
We use where to describe antecedents that have to do with position, as in
• “ The café where we went on Sunday was veritably nice. ”
• “ The city where she lives is only an hour down. ”
Using prepositions for formal English
In further formal English, where and when are frequently replaced with a preposition
which to mark precise locales or points in time. For illustration
• “ We preferred a part of the country where we could live in peace and quiet. ”
• “ We preferred a part of the country in which we could live in peace and quietBen is looking forward to the day when he can eventually join the army. ”
• “ Ben is looking forward to the day on which he can eventually join the army. ”
Quiz
( answers start on runner 610)
1. Which of the following isn't one of the five most generally used relative
pronouns?
a) whom
b) where
c) whose
d) which
2. Which of the following rulings uses a relative pronoun inaptly?
a) “ She tried to fix the glass whom had broken numerous times before. ”
b) “ I watched a canine that was chasing its tail. ”
c) “ He decided to take the mysterious motorcycle, whose proprietor had putatively
faded. ”
d) “ The bartender took the day off, which gave her some time to relax. ”
3. Choose the judgment that contains anon-restrictive relative clause.
a) “Mrs. Anderson reread the book she ’d loved as a child. ”
b) “ I ca n’t help but wonder where they ’re going. ”
c) “ I sit right beneath a light that constantly flickers. ”
d) “ They moved to Florida, which they hoped would lead to better job
prospects. ”
4. Which of the following rulings is the least formal?
a) “ The box I ’d returned appeared on my doorstep again. ”
b) “ The box which I ’d returned appeared on my doorstep again. ”
c) “ The box that I ’d returned appeared on my doorstep again. ”
d) “ The box whom I ’d returned appeared on my doorstep again. ”