Fiche 2 — Les propositions relatives (Relative Clauses)

1. Qu'est-ce qu'une proposition relative ?

Une proposition relative (relative clause) est une subordonnee qui determine un nom. Elle est introduite par un pronom relatif : who, whom, whose, which, that, where, when.

2. Determinative vs non-determinative

Type	Ponctuation	Exemple
Determinative (defining)	Pas de virgule	The book that I read was great.
Non-determinative (non-defining)	Entre virgules	My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor.

Regle cle : That est INTERDIT dans une relative non-determinative.

3. Les pronoms relatifs

Pronom	Usage	Exemple
who	Personne, sujet	The man who called.
whom	Personne, objet (formel)	The man whom I met.
whose	Possession	The student whose book is lost.
which	Chose, animal	The car which I bought.
that	Determinative seulement	The book that I read.
where	Lieu	The office where I work.
when	Temps	The day when we met.

4. Omission du pronom relatif

Dans une relative determinative, le pronom peut etre omis s'il est objet :

The book (that) I read yesterday was great.

The man (whom) I met is a doctor.

Mais jamais s'il est sujet : The man who called (who obligatoire).

5. Exercices

Completez avec le bon pronom relatif :

The book ______ is on the table is mine.
The woman ______ car was stolen called the police.
This is the restaurant ______ we ate yesterday.
I don't know the person ______ lives next door.
The company ______ I work for is international.

6. Erreurs frequentes

Incorrect	Correct
The book what I read.	The book that/which I read.
My car, that is new.	My car, which is new.
The man who he called.	The man who called.