|
ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Another doubt on relatives
Another doubt on relatives
|
MsPoppins
|
Another doubt on relatives
|
Dear All,
Here I am with another question about relatives. Do you think the relative clause in the following sentence should be written between commas?
I met a nice girl whose father is English.
I met a nice girl, whose father is English.
I know defining relative clauses are essential to clarify and make the antecedent more precise; personally, I would not write commas. However, one of my collegues thinks the opposite. So far I have two opinions: one in favor, one against... I need your help!!
Thanks a lot in advance.
MsPoppins
|
29 Apr 2010
|
|
|
|
aura+
|
|
No commas, in my opinion. |
29 Apr 2010
|
|
|
Carla Horne
|
You and Aura+ are correct. It is essential because you don �t know which girl you are speaking about until the clause is written.
Carla
|
29 Apr 2010
|
|
|
MarianaC
|
|
If you said "the girl that I met, whose father is English, was lovely" then commas would be ok because it �s clear which girl you are talking about, you don �t need to identify her/define her as you are using the definite article the. But because you �re using "I met a girl whose father is English" and used an indefinite article, then you need to give more information to define her/identify her. Therefore you need a defining relative clause, no commas. |
30 Apr 2010
|
|
|
MsPoppins
|
Now I have five opinions: four in favor, one against...
Thank you very much aura, Carla and Mariana for your help. Have a nice weekend!!
MsPoppins
|
30 Apr 2010
|
|
|
