G4: Adjective Clauses III

G4: Adjective Clauses III - "where" and "when"

by Tom Rohrbach

The words "where" and "when" have several jobs in English. For example, sometimes they can

be question words; sometimes, they can be conjunctions in adverb clauses;

and other times, they can be relative pronouns in adjective clauses!

Of course, in adjective clauses, we use "where" for places and "when" for times. It sounds easy, right?

Actually, it gets a bit complicated. In some adjective clauses, you can only use "when"; in others,

you can use "when" or "that" or Φ (no pronoun). Sometimes, you can use "which" or "that" or Φ;

other times, you can't use any of them. How can you figure out which pronouns to use? Let's see...

1. If there is NO preposition that goes with the place or time in the adjective clause, you can use "where" or "when".

If there IS a preposition, you can NEVER use "where" or "when".

EXAMPLES: I know a place where you can catch really big fish.

I know a place ~~in where~~ you can catch really big fish.

2. If there is a preposition that goes with the place or time, then the adjective clause follows the usual rules

for an 'object' adjective clause; remember, there are two kinds - regular, and formal. [See quiz 2.]

EXAMPLES: I know the year in which Mary was born.

I know the year which/that/Φ Mary was born in.

Try the questions below. Some of the answers will be 'tricky', but see if you can follow the explanations. Good luck!

The street on __ Mike lives is being repaved this week, so he can’t park in his garage.
1. where
2. which
3. where / Φ
4. which / that / Φ
The street __ Julia lives is being repaved this week, so she can’t get to her driveway.
1. where
2. which
3. where / Φ
4. which / that / Φ
The moment __ I met Daisy, who later became my wife, is etched forever into my brain.
1. when
2. which
3. when / that / Φ
4. which / that / Φ
The only thing I still remember from 5th grade history class is the year in __ Caesar invaded Gaul.
1. when
2. which
3. when / Φ
4. which / that / Φ
Jeff said 7:25 p.m. tonight is the time __ his flight is scheduled to arrive.
1. when
2. which
3. when / that / Φ
4. which / that / Φ
Atlanta, __ Denise lives, has a train direct from the airport to the center of downtown.
1. where
2. which
3. where / Φ
4. which / that / Φ
The high-rise __ my sister lives in New York City has a doorman on duty at all times, day and night.
1. where
2. which
3. where / Φ
4. which / that / Φ
I prefer places __ there is peace and quiet and beautiful scenery.
1. where
2. which
3. where / Φ
4. which / that / Φ
The house __ I grew up in was torn down last year so they could build condos on that block.
1. where
2. which
3. where / Φ
4. which / that / Φ
Eddie, do you remember the time __ you glued the teacher’s desk drawers closed in 3rd grade?!
1. when
2. which
3. when / Φ
4. when / that / Φ