Additional points about non-defining relative clauses

8.109 In written English, you can use a non-defining clause to say that one event happened after another.

For example, instead of saying 'I gave the book to George. George then gave it to Mary', you can say 'l gave the book to George, who gave it to Mary'.

Lord Thomson had bought the paper in the Fifties from Lord Kemsley, who had thereupon retired into obscurity.

The molten metal ran out on to the flagstones, which promptly exploded.

Later he went to New Zealand, where he did all sorts of jobs.

8.110 You can use a non-defining clause beginning with 'which' to say something about the whole situation described in a main clause, rather than about someone or something mentioned in it.

Minute computers need only minute amounts of power, which means that they will run on small batteries.

I never met Brando again, which was a pity.

Prior to speaking she was a little tense, which was understandable.

8.111 When you want to add something to what you have said, you sometimes use a non-defining clause beginning with a preposition, 'which', and a noun. The noun is often a word like 'time' or 'point', or a very general word for a situation like 'case' or 'event'.

They remain in the pouch for some seven weeks, by which time they are about 10cm long.

I was told my work was unsatisfactory, at which point I submitted my resignation.

Sometimes you may feel too frail too cope with things, in which case do them as soon as it is convenient.

Nominal relative clauses

8.112 When it is difficult to refer to something by using a noun group, you can sometimes use a special kind of relative clause called a nominal relative clause.

What he really needs is a nice cup of tea.

Whatever she does will determine the future of her administration.

8.113 Nominal relative clauses beginning with 'what' can be used as subjects, objects, or complements. 'What' can mean either 'the thing which' or 'the things which'.

What he said was perfectly true.

They did not like what he wrote.

I believe that is a very good account of what happened.

I'm what's generally called a traitor.

People often use a 'what'-clause in front of 'is' or 'was' to say what kind of thing they are about to mention.

What I need is a lawyer.

What you have to do is to choose five companies to invest in.

These structures are explained in paragraphs 10.28 to 10.30.

For another use of 'what' in nominal relative clauses see paragraph 8.116.

8.114 Nominal relative clauses beginning with 'where' are usually used after a preposition or after the verb 'be'. 'Where' means 'the place where'.

I threw down my book and crossed the room to where she was sitting.

The god would return from where the sun rises and lay waste to the Aztec civilisation.

Stroud, I think, is where I want to die.

8.115 Nominal relative clauses beginning with 'whatever', 'whoever', or 'whichever' are used to refer to something or someone that is unknown or indefinite.

'Whatever' is used only to refer to things. 'Whoever' is used to refer to people. 'Whichever' is used to refer to either things or people.

'Whatever', 'whoever', and 'whichever' can be used as pronouns.

'Whichever' is often followed by 'of'.

I'll do whatever you want.

These wild flowers are so rare I want to do whatever I can to save them.

...a person with written authority from whoever is dealing with the will.

People win choose whichever of these regimes they find suits them best.

'Whatever' and 'whichever' can also be used as determiners.

She had had to rely on whatever books were lying around these.

Choose whichever one of the three methods you fancy.

For more information about 'whatever', 'whoever', and 'whichever' see paragraph 8.42.

8.116 'What' can be used with the same meaning as 'whatever', both as a pronoun and a determiner.

Do what you like.

People survived by sharing out what money they could get from cattle-work.

The main use of 'what' in nominal relative clauses is explained paragraph 8.113.