Nominal Relative Clauses

In nominal relative clauses,the relative pronoun acts like a noun and linking relative pronoun working together. The most common nominal relative pronoun is what, meaning "the thing(s) which". The nominal relative pronoun replaces the noun.

Ex: This is just what we need.

      What I want is a bigger computer.

But we use which to refer back to a whole clause rather than the preceding noun only.

Ex: He only did what anyone else would do in that situation, which is panic.

      The piano required several men to lift it, which was perhaps not surprising.

The which is replacing the noun (IT), but referring back to a whole clause.

In the paper we wrote:

"(...) children work with family trees, what is done by only a 5% of the respondents."

But instead of using what, we should use which, because it is referring back to the previous clause.

"(...) children work with family trees, which is done by only a 5% of the respondents."

Source: Side, R & Wellman, G (2003) Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambridge Advannced and Proficiency. Longman. England.

The Emissary: A trigger for a deep analysis about the positive effects of having pets during adolescence

To what extent are teenagers capable to live in a world without affection, love, support and understanding? How do they benefit from having someone’s company, especially their pets?


“The Emissary”, written by Ray Bradbury, is a short story in which Martin, the main character, is confined to bed due to an illness. Luckily, he is not alone and enjoys the company of Dog. Acting as Martin´s emissary, this dog reports the weather and its changes. Dog not only announces news from the outside world, but he finds visitors for his master’s bedside. One of Martin’s adored visitants is his nice teacher, Miss Haight, who brings him orange-iced cupcakes and books. They get on really well and that is why Miss Haight’s death is a hurtful discovery for Martin. October is coming to its end and Dog is gone for a few days. Martin feels really alone but then he gets over this situation when Dog returns bringing with him Miss Haight’s skin from the cemetery.

In essence, this is a story which examines the great advantages that taking care of pets offer to teenagers. Hence, this story that can be of use to create a debate on those advantages pets proffer. This paper is aimed to show that “The Emissary” can be used in a teenage class to reflect upon the positive effects of having pets during adolescence.