00 / Clauses & Questions
Advanced relative clauses
Advanced relative clauses use quantifiers and prepositions before relative pronouns to provide specific information about a subset of a group. These structures are primarily found in formal writing and academic contexts.
C1Advanced
01 / Overview
Advanced relative clauses, often called quantifying relative clauses, allow a speaker to refer to a specific portion of a previously mentioned noun. They use a quantifier followed by the preposition of and a relative pronoun. This structure is highly formal and avoids the need for repetitive short sentences.
02 / Form
Quantifier (some/many/none/all) + of + whom/which
The structure requires a quantifier followed by of whom for people or of which for objects and animals. Note that that cannot be used in this construction.
03 / Examples
04 / Common mistakes
I have three brothers, all of them live in London.
I have three brothers, all of whom live in London.
Using 'them' creates a comma splice. A relative pronoun is required to connect the two clauses.
The report listed ten risks, most of that were minor.
The report listed ten risks, most of which were minor.
The relative pronoun 'that' cannot follow a preposition in a relative clause.
05 / Practice
The researchers published five papers, ______ were cited in the medical journal.
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Answer: all of which
Why: The sentence refers to 'papers' (objects), so 'which' is required after the quantifier and preposition.
She managed a team of twelve designers, ______ had worked for the firm for over a decade.
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Answer: some of whom
Why: When referring to people in this formal structure, 'whom' must be used after the preposition 'of'.
Correct the error: 'The city has several bridges, many of those were built in the 19th century.'
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Answer: The city has several bridges, many of which were built in the 19th century.
Why: To link two clauses, a relative pronoun (which) is necessary rather than a demonstrative pronoun (those).