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Using prepositions before or after relative pronouns.
Practice: build the sentences →A preposition required by the verb or expression in a relative clause can appear either before the relative pronoun or at the end of the clause.
For example, The person to whom I spoke and The person who I spoke to express the same basic relationship.
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The preposition "to" appears before the relative pronoun in "to whom I spoke".
The person who I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The preposition "to" appears at the end of the clause in "who I spoke to".
The book about which we spoke was interesting.
Книга, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
The preposition "about" appears before the relative pronoun in "about which we spoke".
The book which we spoke about was interesting.
Книга, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
The preposition "about" appears at the end of the clause in "which we spoke about".
The company for which she works is expanding.
Компания, на которую она работает, расширяется.
The preposition "for" appears before the relative pronoun in "for which she works".
In everyday and neutral English, the preposition commonly appears at the end of a relative clause.
For example, The person who I spoke to was helpful.
The person who I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The preposition "to" is at the end of the clause "who I spoke to".
The book which I was looking for is on the shelf.
Книга, которую я искал, на полке.
The preposition "for" is at the end of the clause "which I was looking for".
The person that I spoke to was very helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был очень полезен.
The preposition "to" is at the end of the clause "that I spoke to".
The movie which we talked about was excellent.
Фильм, о котором мы говорили, был отличным.
The preposition "about" is at the end of the clause "which we talked about".
The friend who she went out with is a teacher.
Друг, с которым она гуляла, учитель.
The preposition "with" is at the end of the clause "who she went out with".
In formal English, the preposition can be placed directly before the relative pronoun.
For example, The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The preposition "to" appears before the relative pronoun in "to whom I spoke".
The system on which the software runs is secure.
Система, на которой работает программное обеспечение, безопасна.
The preposition "on" appears before the relative pronoun in "on which the software runs".
The colleague with whom I worked has moved abroad.
Коллега, с которым я работал, переехал за границу.
The preposition "with" appears before the relative pronoun in "with whom I worked".
The book in which I found the information is rare.
Книга, в которой я нашёл информацию, редкая.
The preposition "in" appears before the relative pronoun in "in which I found the information".
The candidate for whom I voted won the election.
Кандидат, за которого я голосовал, победил на выборах.
The preposition "for" appears before the relative pronoun in "for whom I voted".
When a preposition directly precedes a relative pronoun referring to a person, whom is normally used rather than who in formal English.
For example, The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The preposition "to" directly precedes "whom" in "to whom I spoke".
The colleague with whom I worked has moved abroad.
Коллега, с которым я работал, переехал за границу.
The preposition "with" directly precedes "whom" in "with whom I worked".
The candidate for whom I voted won the election.
Кандидат, за которого я голосовал, победил на выборах.
The preposition "for" directly precedes "whom" in "for whom I voted".
The professor from whom I learned a lot retired.
Профессор, у которого я многому научился, вышел на пенсию.
The preposition "from" directly precedes "whom" in "from whom I learned a lot".
The client to whom we sent the invoice paid promptly.
Клиент, которому мы отправили счёт, заплатил promptly.
The preposition "to" directly precedes "whom" in "to whom we sent the invoice".
A preposition can directly precede which when the relative pronoun refers to a thing or animal.
For example, The system on which the software runs is secure.
The system on which the software runs is secure.
Система, на которой работает программное обеспечение, безопасна.
The preposition "on" directly precedes "which" in "on which the software runs".
The book in which I found the information is rare.
Книга, в которой я нашёл информацию, редкая.
The preposition "in" directly precedes "which" in "in which I found the information".
The company for which she works is expanding.
Компания, на которую она работает, расширяется.
The preposition "for" directly precedes "which" in "for which she works".
The procedure by which the data were collected was documented.
Процедура, с помощью которой были собраны данные, была задокументирована.
The preposition "by" directly precedes "which" in "by which the data were collected".
The method by which the problem was solved was innovative.
Метод, с помощью которого была решена проблема, был инновационным.
The preposition "by" directly precedes "which" in "by which the problem was solved".
That is not normally used directly after a preposition in a relative clause.
Use which or whom in formal constructions, or move the preposition to the end: The book about which we spoke and The book that we spoke about.
The book that we spoke about was interesting.
Книга, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
That is not used directly after a preposition; the preposition "about" is at the end in "that we spoke about".
The book about which we spoke was interesting.
Книга, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
Use "which" after the preposition in "about which we spoke".
The person that I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
That is not used directly after a preposition; the preposition "to" is at the end in "that I spoke to".
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
Use "whom" after the preposition in "to whom I spoke".
The company that she works for is expanding.
Компания, на которую она работает, расширяется.
That is not used directly after a preposition; the preposition "for" is at the end in "that she works for".
Who is not normally used directly after a preposition in formal relative-clause constructions.
Use whom instead: The person to whom I spoke. In ordinary English, The person who I spoke to is much more common.
The person who I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
Who is not used directly after a preposition; the preposition "to" is at the end in "who I spoke to".
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
Use "whom" after the preposition in "to whom I spoke".
The woman who I talked to was my aunt.
Женщина, с которой я говорил, была моей тётей.
Who is not used directly after a preposition; the preposition "to" is at the end in "who I talked to".
The woman to whom I talked was my aunt.
Женщина, с которой я говорил, была моей тётей.
Use "whom" after the preposition in "to whom I talked".
The colleague who I worked with has moved abroad.
Коллега, с которым я работал, переехал за границу.
Who is not used directly after a preposition; the preposition "with" is at the end in "who I worked with".
The preposition in a relative clause is determined by the verb, adjective, noun, or expression that requires it.
For example, the person I spoke to, the company I work for, and the subject we were talking about.
The person I spoke to was very helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был очень полезен.
The verb "speak" requires the preposition "to" in "I spoke to".
The company I work for is expanding.
Компания, на которую я работаю, расширяется.
The verb "work" requires the preposition "for" in "I work for".
The subject we were talking about was difficult.
Тема, о которой мы говорили, была сложной.
The verb "talk" requires the preposition "about" in "we were talking about".
The book I was looking for is on the shelf.
Книга, которую я искал, на полке.
The verb "look" requires the preposition "for" in "I was looking for".
The friend I went out with is a teacher.
Друг, с которым я гулял, учитель.
The verb "go out" requires the preposition "with" in "I went out with".
Phrasal and prepositional verbs retain their required particle or preposition when used in relative clauses.
For example, the person I was talking to, the problem we need to deal with, and the subject she brought up.
The person I was talking to is my friend.
Человек, с которым я разговаривал, мой друг.
The prepositional verb "talk to" retains its preposition in "I was talking to".
The problem we need to deal with is serious.
Проблема, с которой нам нужно разобраться, серьёзная.
The phrasal verb "deal with" retains its particle in "we need to deal with".
The subject she brought up was interesting.
Тема, которую она подняла, была интересной.
The phrasal verb "bring up" retains its particle in "she brought up".
The book I was looking for is on the shelf.
Книга, которую я искал, на полке.
The phrasal verb "look for" retains its particle in "I was looking for".
The friend I went out with is a teacher.
Друг, с которым я гулял, учитель.
The phrasal verb "go out with" retains its particle in "I went out with".
Preposition placement often distinguishes formal style from everyday conversational style.
For example, The person to whom I spoke is formal, while The person I spoke to is natural in ordinary conversation.
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The fronted preposition "to whom I spoke" is formal.
The person I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The final preposition "I spoke to" is natural in ordinary conversation.
The company for which she works is expanding.
Компания, на которую она работает, расширяется.
The fronted preposition "for which she works" is formal.
The company she works for is expanding.
Компания, на которую она работает, расширяется.
The final preposition "she works for" is natural in ordinary conversation.
The book about which we spoke was interesting.
Книга, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
The fronted preposition "about which we spoke" is formal.
Both end-position and fronted prepositions can occur in defining relative clauses.
For example, The company for which I work and The company I work for are both standard.
The company for which I work is expanding.
Компания, на которую я работаю, расширяется.
The fronted preposition "for which I work" is standard in this defining clause.
The company I work for is expanding.
Компания, на которую я работаю, расширяется.
The final preposition "I work for" is also standard in this defining clause.
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The fronted preposition "to whom I spoke" is standard in this defining clause.
The person I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The final preposition "I spoke to" is also standard in this defining clause.
The book about which we spoke was interesting.
Книга, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
The fronted preposition "about which we spoke" is standard in this defining clause.
Prepositions can appear in either position in non-defining relative clauses, although fronted prepositions are especially associated with formal style.
For example, My colleague, with whom I work, is moving abroad and My colleague, who I work with, is moving abroad.
My colleague, with whom I work, is moving abroad.
Мой коллега, с которым я работаю, переезжает за границу.
The fronted preposition "with whom I work" is formal in this non-defining clause.
My colleague, who I work with, is moving abroad.
Мой коллега, с которым я работаю, переезжает за границу.
The final preposition "who I work with" is less formal in this non-defining clause.
The book, about which we spoke, was interesting.
Книга, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
The fronted preposition "about which we spoke" is formal in this non-defining clause.
The book, which we spoke about, was interesting.
Книга, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
The final preposition "which we spoke about" is less formal in this non-defining clause.
The candidate, for whom I voted, won the election.
Кандидат, за которого я голосовал, победил на выборах.
The fronted preposition "for whom I voted" is formal in this non-defining clause.
When the preposition remains at the end of a defining relative clause, an object relative pronoun can often be omitted.
For example, The person who I spoke to and The person I spoke to are both standard.
The person who I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The relative pronoun "who" can be omitted when the preposition "to" is at the end.
The person I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The relative pronoun is omitted; the preposition "to" remains at the end.
The book which I was looking for is on the shelf.
Книга, которую я искал, на полке.
The relative pronoun "which" can be omitted when the preposition "for" is at the end.
The book I was looking for is on the shelf.
Книга, которую я искал, на полке.
The relative pronoun is omitted; the preposition "for" remains at the end.
The friend who she went out with is a teacher.
Друг, с которым она гуляла, учитель.
The relative pronoun "who" can be omitted when the preposition "with" is at the end.
When a preposition directly precedes the relative pronoun, the pronoun cannot normally be omitted.
For example, The person to whom I spoke requires whom after the preposition.
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The relative pronoun "whom" cannot be omitted after the fronted preposition "to".
The system on which the software runs is secure.
Система, на которой работает программное обеспечение, безопасна.
The relative pronoun "which" cannot be omitted after the fronted preposition "on".
The colleague with whom I worked has moved abroad.
Коллега, с которым я работал, переехал за границу.
The relative pronoun "whom" cannot be omitted after the fronted preposition "with".
The book in which I found the information is rare.
Книга, в которой я нашёл информацию, редкая.
The relative pronoun "which" cannot be omitted after the fronted preposition "in".
The candidate for whom I voted won the election.
Кандидат, за которого я голосовал, победил на выборах.
The relative pronoun "whom" cannot be omitted after the fronted preposition "for".
Preposition + whom is especially common in formal, academic, legal, and professional writing.
For example, The individual with whom the company contracted signed the agreement.
The individual with whom the company contracted signed the agreement.
Лицо, с которым компания заключила договор, подписало соглашение.
The preposition "with" precedes "whom" in formal writing in "with whom the company contracted".
The candidate for whom I voted won the election.
Кандидат, за которого я голосовал, победил на выборах.
The preposition "for" precedes "whom" in formal writing in "for whom I voted".
The professor from whom I learned a lot retired.
Профессор, у которого я многому научился, вышел на пенсию.
The preposition "from" precedes "whom" in formal writing in "from whom I learned a lot".
The client to whom we sent the invoice paid promptly.
Клиент, которому мы отправили счёт, заплатил promptly.
The preposition "to" precedes "whom" in formal writing in "to whom we sent the invoice".
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The preposition "to" precedes "whom" in formal writing in "to whom I spoke".
Preposition + which is commonly used in formal writing when referring to things, systems, documents, and concepts.
For example, The procedure by which the data were collected was carefully documented.
The procedure by which the data were collected was carefully documented.
Процедура, с помощью которой были собраны данные, была тщательно задокументирована.
The preposition "by" precedes "which" in formal writing in "by which the data were collected".
The method by which the problem was solved was innovative.
Метод, с помощью которого была решена проблема, был инновационным.
The preposition "by" precedes "which" in formal writing in "by which the problem was solved".
The system on which the software runs is secure.
Система, на которой работает программное обеспечение, безопасна.
The preposition "on" precedes "which" in formal writing in "on which the software runs".
The document in which the information appears is confidential.
Документ, в котором содержится информация, конфиденциален.
The preposition "in" precedes "which" in formal writing in "in which the information appears".
The reason for which the decision was made is unclear.
Причина, по которой было принято решение, неясна.
The preposition "for" precedes "which" in formal writing in "for which the decision was made".
Common verbs and expressions can retain their prepositions at the end of a relative clause or move them before which or whom.
For example, the project on which we worked and the project we worked on.
The project on which we worked was successful.
Проект, над которым мы работали, был успешным.
The preposition "on" can be moved before "which" in "on which we worked".
The project we worked on was successful.
Проект, над которым мы работали, был успешным.
The preposition "on" can remain at the end in "we worked on".
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The preposition "to" can be moved before "whom" in "to whom I spoke".
The person I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The preposition "to" can remain at the end in "I spoke to".
The book about which we spoke was interesting.
Книга, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
The preposition "about" can be moved before "which" in "about which we spoke".
Preposition + which is common when the antecedent is an abstract noun referring to a method, reason, process, or circumstance.
For example, the method by which the problem was solved and the reason for which the decision was made.
The method by which the problem was solved was innovative.
Метод, с помощью которого была решена проблема, был инновационным.
The abstract noun "method" is followed by the preposition "by" in "by which the problem was solved".
The reason for which the decision was made is unclear.
Причина, по которой было принято решение, неясна.
The abstract noun "reason" is followed by the preposition "for" in "for which the decision was made".
The process by which the data were analyzed was complex.
Процесс, с помощью которого были проанализированы данные, был сложным.
The abstract noun "process" is followed by the preposition "by" in "by which the data were analyzed".
The circumstances under which the agreement was signed were unusual.
Обстоятельства, при которых было подписано соглашение, были необычными.
The abstract noun "circumstances" is followed by the preposition "under" in "under which the agreement was signed".
The principle on which the theory is based is sound.
Принцип, на котором основана теория, надёжен.
The abstract noun "principle" is followed by the preposition "on" in "on which the theory is based".
Some prepositional relationships can instead be expressed using relative adverbs such as where, when, and why.
For example, the place in which I work can be expressed as the place where I work.
The place in which I work is quiet.
Место, в котором я работаю, тихое.
The preposition "in" + "which" can be expressed as "where" in "the place where I work".
The place where I work is quiet.
Место, где я работаю, тихое.
The relative adverb "where" replaces "in which" in "where I work".
The year in which she graduated was 2018.
Год, в котором она окончила университет, был 2018.
The preposition "in" + "which" can be expressed as "when" in "the year when she graduated".
The year when she graduated was 2018.
Год, когда она окончила университет, был 2018.
The relative adverb "when" replaces "in which" in "when she graduated".
The reason for which he left is unclear.
Причина, по которой он ушёл, неясна.
The preposition "for" + "which" can be expressed as "why" in "the reason why he left".
Where can often replace in which when the antecedent refers to a place.
For example, The office in which she works and The office where she works are both standard.
The office in which she works is modern.
Офис, в котором она работает, современный.
The preposition "in" + "which" is used in "in which she works".
The office where she works is modern.
Офис, где она работает, современный.
The relative adverb "where" replaces "in which" in "where she works".
The house in which I live is small.
Дом, в котором я живу, маленький.
The preposition "in" + "which" is used in "in which I live".
The house where I live is small.
Дом, где я живу, маленький.
The relative adverb "where" replaces "in which" in "where I live".
The city in which she was born is beautiful.
Город, в котором она родилась, красивый.
The preposition "in" + "which" is used in "in which she was born".
When can sometimes replace in which when the antecedent refers to a time or period.
For example, The year in which she graduated and The year when she graduated are both possible.
The year in which she graduated was 2018.
Год, в котором она окончила университет, был 2018.
The preposition "in" + "which" is used in "in which she graduated".
The year when she graduated was 2018.
Год, когда она окончила университет, был 2018.
The relative adverb "when" replaces "in which" in "when she graduated".
The day in which we met was sunny.
День, в который мы встретились, был солнечным.
The preposition "in" + "which" is used in "in which we met".
The day when we met was sunny.
День, когда мы встретились, был солнечным.
The relative adverb "when" replaces "in which" in "when we met".
The period in which they lived abroad was difficult.
Период, в который они жили за границей, был трудным.
The preposition "in" + "which" is used in "in which they lived abroad".
Why can sometimes replace for which when the antecedent refers to a reason.
For example, The reason for which he left is unclear and The reason why he left is unclear.
The reason for which he left is unclear.
Причина, по которой он ушёл, неясна.
The preposition "for" + "which" is used in "for which he left".
The reason why he left is unclear.
Причина, по которой он ушёл, неясна.
The relative adverb "why" replaces "for which" in "why he left".
The reason for which the decision was made is unknown.
Причина, по которой было принято решение, неизвестна.
The preposition "for" + "which" is used in "for which the decision was made".
The reason why the decision was made is unknown.
Причина, по которой было принято решение, неизвестна.
The relative adverb "why" replaces "for which" in "why the decision was made".
The reason for which she was upset is obvious.
Причина, по которой она расстроилась, очевидна.
The preposition "for" + "which" is used in "for which she was upset".
Prepositions can occur elsewhere in clauses containing whose, but whose itself already expresses a possessive relationship.
For example, The company whose products we talked about is expanding.
The company whose products we talked about is expanding.
Компания, о продуктах которой мы говорили, расширяется.
The preposition "about" appears at the end of the clause "whose products we talked about".
The woman whose car was stolen called the police.
Женщина, чью машину украли, позвонила в полицию.
The possessive "whose" already expresses a relationship; no extra preposition is needed in "whose car was stolen".
The author whose books we discussed is famous.
Автор, чьи книги мы обсуждали, знаменит.
The preposition "about" is implied but not needed in "whose books we discussed".
The company whose offices are in London is hiring.
Компания, чьи офисы в Лондоне, нанимает сотрудников.
The possessive "whose" expresses the relationship in "whose offices are in London".
The student whose work we admired received a prize.
Студент, чьей работой мы восхищались, получил приз.
The possessive "whose" expresses the relationship in "whose work we admired".
Do not add a preposition merely because the relative clause contains a relative pronoun; use only the preposition required by the underlying verb or expression.
For example, The person whom I met is correct, while The person with whom I met is incorrect unless the underlying meaning specifically requires with.
The person whom I met was helpful.
Человек, которого я встретил, был полезен.
No preposition is needed because the verb "met" does not require one in "whom I met".
The book which I read was interesting.
Книга, которую я прочитал, была интересной.
No preposition is needed because the verb "read" does not require one in "which I read".
The film that we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
No preposition is needed because the verb "watched" does not require one in "that we watched".
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The preposition "to" is required by the verb "speak" in "to whom I spoke".
The company for which she works is expanding.
Компания, на которую она работает, расширяется.
The preposition "for" is required by the verb "work" in "for which she works".
Use the correct preposition with the underlying verb or expression and place it appropriately for the intended register.
Common mistakes include using who after a fronted preposition, using that directly after a preposition, omitting the relative pronoun after a fronted preposition, adding an unnecessary preposition, and choosing the wrong preposition for the verb.
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
Use "whom" after the fronted preposition "to" in "to whom I spoke".
The book about which we spoke was interesting.
Книга, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
Use "which" after the fronted preposition "about" in "about which we spoke".
The person I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The relative pronoun can be omitted when the preposition is at the end in "I spoke to".
The company she works for is expanding.
Компания, на которую она работает, расширяется.
Do not add an unnecessary preposition; use only the preposition required by the verb in "she works for".
The candidate for whom I voted won the election.
Кандидат, за которого я голосовал, победил на выборах.
Choose the correct preposition "for" required by the verb "vote" in "for whom I voted".