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Using where, when and why in relative clauses.
Practice: build the sentences →Relative adverbs introduce relative clauses referring to place, time, or reason.
The most common relative adverbs are where, when, and why.
This is the house where I grew up.
Это дом, где я вырос.
The relative adverb "where" introduces the clause "where I grew up" referring to place.
I remember the day when we first met.
Я помню день, когда мы впервые встретились.
"When" introduces the clause "when we first met" referring to time.
I do not know the reason why she left.
Я не знаю причину, по которой она ушла.
"Why" introduces the clause "why she left" referring to reason.
The city where I was born is very old.
Город, где я родился, очень старый.
"Where" introduces the clause "where I was born" referring to place.
The year when we moved here was 2010.
Год, когда мы переехали сюда, был 2010.
"When" introduces the clause "when we moved here" referring to time.
Where introduces a relative clause referring to a place or location.
For example, This is the house where I grew up.
This is the house where I grew up.
Это дом, где я вырос.
"Where" introduces the clause "where I grew up" referring to the place house.
The school where she teaches is nearby.
Школа, где она преподаёт, находится рядом.
"Where" introduces the clause "where she teaches" referring to the place school.
I want to visit the town where my grandparents lived.
Я хочу посетить город, где жили мои бабушка и дедушка.
"Where" introduces the clause "where my grandparents lived" referring to the place town.
The park where we played as children is gone.
Парк, где мы играли в детстве, исчез.
"Where" introduces the clause "where we played as children" referring to the place park.
She works in the office where I used to work.
Она работает в офисе, где я раньше работал.
"Where" introduces the clause "where I used to work" referring to the place office.
When introduces a relative clause referring to a time, day, year, period, or occasion.
For example, I remember the day when we first met.
I remember the day when we first met.
Я помню день, когда мы впервые встретились.
"When" introduces the clause "when we first met" referring to the time day.
The moment when the lights went out was scary.
Момент, когда погас свет, был страшным.
"When" introduces the clause "when the lights went out" referring to the time moment.
2020 was the year when everything changed.
2020 был годом, когда всё изменилось.
"When" introduces the clause "when everything changed" referring to the time year.
I will never forget the time when we traveled to Italy.
Я никогда не забуду время, когда мы путешествовали по Италии.
"When" introduces the clause "when we traveled to Italy" referring to the time time.
The day when she graduated was sunny.
День, когда она окончила университет, был солнечным.
"When" introduces the clause "when she graduated" referring to the time day.
Why can introduce a relative clause referring to a reason, especially after the noun reason.
For example, I do not know the reason why she left.
I do not know the reason why she left.
Я не знаю причину, по которой она ушла.
"Why" introduces the clause "why she left" referring to the reason.
Tell me the reason why you are late.
Скажи мне причину, по которой ты опоздал.
"Why" introduces the clause "why you are late" referring to the reason.
The reason why he resigned is unclear.
Причина, по которой он уволился, неясна.
"Why" introduces the clause "why he resigned" referring to the reason.
I understand the reason why she was upset.
Я понимаю причину, по которой она расстроилась.
"Why" introduces the clause "why she was upset" referring to the reason.
Do you know the reason why they canceled the event?
Ты знаешь причину, по которой они отменили мероприятие?
"Why" introduces the clause "why they canceled the event" referring to the reason.
Where can often replace a preposition + which construction when referring to a place.
For example, The house where I live and The house in which I live have the same basic meaning.
The house where I live is small.
Дом, где я живу, маленький.
"Where" can replace "in which" in "where I live".
The house in which I live is small.
Дом, в котором я живу, маленький.
"In which" is a more formal alternative to "where" in "in which I live".
The city where she was born is beautiful.
Город, где она родилась, красивый.
"Where" can replace "in which" in "where she was born".
The office in which he works is modern.
Офис, в котором он работает, современный.
"In which" is a formal alternative to "where" in "in which he works".
The restaurant where we had dinner was excellent.
Ресторан, где мы ужинали, был отличным.
"Where" can replace "in which" in "where we had dinner".
When can sometimes replace a preposition + which construction referring to time.
For example, The year when we met and The year in which we met are both possible.
The year when we met was 2015.
Год, когда мы встретились, был 2015.
"When" can be replaced by "in which" in "when we met".
The year in which we met was 2015.
Год, в котором мы встретились, был 2015.
"In which" is a formal alternative to "when" in "in which we met".
The day when she arrived was rainy.
День, когда она приехала, был дождливым.
"When" can be replaced by "on which" in "when she arrived".
The moment in which he realized the truth was powerful.
Момент, в который он осознал правду, был сильным.
"In which" is a formal alternative to "when" in "in which he realized the truth".
The period when they lived abroad was difficult.
Период, когда они жили за границей, был трудным.
"When" can be replaced by "in which" in "when they lived abroad".
Why can sometimes correspond to for which when referring to a reason.
For example, The reason why he left and The reason for which he left are grammatically possible, although the second is much more formal.
The reason why he left is unknown.
Причина, по которой он ушёл, неизвестна.
"Why" introduces the clause "why he left" referring to reason.
The reason for which he left is unknown.
Причина, по которой он ушёл, неизвестна.
"For which" is a formal alternative to "why" in "for which he left".
I do not know the reason why she was angry.
Я не знаю причину, по которой она злилась.
"Why" introduces the clause "why she was angry".
The reason for which the decision was made is unclear.
Причина, по которой было принято решение, неясна.
"For which" is formal in "for which the decision was made".
Tell me the reason why you changed your mind.
Скажи мне причину, по которой ты передумал.
"Why" introduces the clause "why you changed your mind".
Where can sometimes be omitted when the relationship is expressed by another structure, especially in informal English.
For example, The place where I live and The place I live are both found, although the second requires the intended relationship to be clear from context.
The place where I live is quiet.
Место, где я живу, тихое.
"Where" is used in "where I live".
The place I live is quiet.
Место, где я живу, тихое.
"Where" is omitted in "I live", but the place relationship is clear from context.
The house where we stayed was lovely.
Дом, где мы остановились, был прекрасным.
"Where" is used in "where we stayed".
The house we stayed in was lovely.
Дом, в котором мы остановились, был прекрасным.
"Where" is omitted, and the preposition "in" appears at the end.
The city where she works is far.
Город, где она работает, далеко.
"Where" is used in "where she works".
When can often be omitted after a time expression when the remaining clause is grammatically complete.
For example, The day when we met and The day we met are both standard.
The day when we met was sunny.
День, когда мы встретились, был солнечным.
"When" is used in "when we met".
The day we met was sunny.
День, когда мы встретились, был солнечным.
"When" is omitted in "we met", and the clause is grammatically complete.
The year when she graduated was 2018.
Год, когда она окончила университет, был 2018.
"When" is used in "when she graduated".
The year she graduated was 2018.
Год, когда она окончила университет, был 2018.
"When" is omitted in "she graduated".
I remember the moment when he arrived.
Я помню момент, когда он пришёл.
"When" is used in "when he arrived".
Why can often be omitted after reason when the remaining clause is grammatically complete.
For example, The reason why she left and The reason she left are both standard.
The reason why she left is unknown.
Причина, по которой она ушла, неизвестна.
"Why" is used in "why she left".
The reason she left is unknown.
Причина, по которой она ушла, неизвестна.
"Why" is omitted in "she left".
I do not know the reason why he resigned.
Я не знаю причину, по которой он уволился.
"Why" is used in "why he resigned".
I do not know the reason he resigned.
Я не знаю причину, по которой он уволился.
"Why" is omitted in "he resigned".
Tell me the reason why you are upset.
Скажи мне причину, по которой ты расстроен.
"Why" is used in "why you are upset".
Where can follow nouns referring to specific places, locations, buildings, areas, or environments.
For example, the city where I was born, the office where she works, and the hotel where we stayed.
the city where I was born
город, где я родился
"Where" follows the place noun "city" in "where I was born".
the office where she works
офис, где она работает
"Where" follows the place noun "office" in "where she works".
the hotel where we stayed
отель, где мы остановились
"Where" follows the place noun "hotel" in "where we stayed".
the park where children play
парк, где играют дети
"Where" follows the place noun "park" in "where children play".
the country where he lives
страна, где он живёт
"Where" follows the place noun "country" in "where he lives".
When can follow nouns referring to periods or points in time.
For example, the year when they moved, the moment when the lights went out, and the time when we arrived.
the year when they moved
год, когда они переехали
"When" follows the time noun "year" in "when they moved".
the moment when the lights went out
момент, когда погас свет
"When" follows the time noun "moment" in "when the lights went out".
the time when we arrived
время, когда мы прибыли
"When" follows the time noun "time" in "when we arrived".
the day when she was born
день, когда она родилась
"When" follows the time noun "day" in "when she was born".
the period when he was ill
период, когда он болел
"When" follows the time noun "period" in "when he was ill".
Why is especially common after reason, and the combination reason why is standard.
For example, Tell me the reason why you left early.
Tell me the reason why you left early.
Скажи мне причину, по которой ты ушёл рано.
"Why" follows the noun "reason" in "why you left early".
I do not know the reason why she is crying.
Я не знаю причину, по которой она плачет.
"Why" follows "reason" in "why she is crying".
The reason why he failed is obvious.
Причина, по которой он провалился, очевидна.
"Why" follows "reason" in "why he failed".
Do you know the reason why they moved?
Ты знаешь причину, по которой они переехали?
"Why" follows "reason" in "why they moved".
She explained the reason why she was late.
Она объяснила причину, по которой опоздала.
"Why" follows "reason" in "why she was late".
The noun reason can be followed by that in some constructions, especially when that introduces a clause functioning as the complement.
For example, The reason that he left was never explained.
The reason that he left was never explained.
Причина, по которой он ушёл, так и не была объяснена.
"That" introduces the complement clause "that he left" after "reason".
The reason that she was upset is clear.
Причина, по которой она расстроилась, ясна.
"That" introduces the clause "that she was upset" after "reason".
I do not know the reason that he resigned.
Я не знаю причину, по которой он уволился.
"That" introduces the clause "that he resigned" after "reason".
The reason that they canceled the event was the weather.
Причина, по которой они отменили мероприятие, была погода.
"That" introduces the clause "that they canceled the event" after "reason".
She never told me the reason that she changed her mind.
Она так и не сказала мне причину, по которой передумала.
"That" introduces the clause "that she changed her mind" after "reason".
Where can introduce non-defining relative clauses when extra information is added about an already identified place.
For example, Oxford, where she studied, is a historic city.
Oxford, where she studied, is a historic city.
Оксфорд, где она училась, исторический город.
"Where" introduces the non-defining clause "where she studied".
The restaurant, where we had dinner, was excellent.
Ресторан, где мы ужинали, был отличным.
"Where" introduces the non-defining clause "where we had dinner".
My hometown, where I grew up, has changed a lot.
Мой родной город, где я вырос, сильно изменился.
"Where" introduces the non-defining clause "where I grew up".
The office, where I work, is in the city centre.
Офис, где я работаю, находится в центре города.
"Where" introduces the non-defining clause "where I work".
Paris, where we spent our honeymoon, is romantic.
Париж, где мы провели медовый месяц, романтичен.
"Where" introduces the non-defining clause "where we spent our honeymoon".
When can introduce a non-defining relative clause when extra information is added about an identified time or period.
For example, 2020, when many businesses moved online, changed working habits.
2020, when many businesses moved online, changed working habits.
2020 год, когда многие компании перешли в онлайн, изменил рабочие привычки.
"When" introduces the non-defining clause "when many businesses moved online".
My birthday, when I turn 30, is next week.
Мой день рождения, когда мне исполнится 30, на следующей неделе.
"When" introduces the non-defining clause "when I turn 30".
The summer, when we traveled to Italy, was unforgettable.
Лето, когда мы путешествовали по Италии, было незабываемым.
"When" introduces the non-defining clause "when we traveled to Italy".
The 1990s, when the internet became popular, saw many changes.
1990-е годы, когда интернет стал популярным, увидели много изменений.
"When" introduces the non-defining clause "when the internet became popular".
That evening, when we first met, was magical.
Тот вечер, когда мы впервые встретились, был волшебным.
"When" introduces the non-defining clause "when we first met".
Where refers to the location associated with the antecedent, while which refers to the antecedent itself as a noun.
Compare The house where I grew up with The house which I bought last year.
The house where I grew up is old.
Дом, где я вырос, старый.
"Where" refers to the location associated with the house in "where I grew up".
The house which I bought last year is new.
Дом, который я купил в прошлом году, новый.
"Which" refers to the house itself as a noun in "which I bought last year".
The city where she was born is beautiful.
Город, где она родилась, красивый.
"Where" refers to the location in "where she was born".
The city which she visited is beautiful.
Город, который она посетила, красивый.
"Which" refers to the city as a noun in "which she visited".
The office where he works is modern.
Офис, где он работает, современный.
"Where" refers to the location in "where he works".
When refers to the time associated with the antecedent, while which refers directly to the noun.
Compare The day when we met with The day which I will never forget.
The day when we met was sunny.
День, когда мы встретились, был солнечным.
"When" refers to the time associated with the day in "when we met".
The day which I will never forget was sunny.
День, который я никогда не забуду, был солнечным.
"Which" refers to the day as a noun in "which I will never forget".
The year when she graduated was 2018.
Год, когда она окончила университет, был 2018.
"When" refers to the time in "when she graduated".
The year which she spent abroad was 2018.
Год, который она провела за границей, был 2018.
"Which" refers to the year as a noun in "which she spent abroad".
The moment when he arrived was exciting.
Момент, когда он пришёл, был волнительным.
"When" refers to the time in "when he arrived".
In formal English, place relationships can be expressed with preposition + which instead of where.
For example, The institution in which she works is equivalent in meaning to The institution where she works.
The institution where she works is prestigious.
Учреждение, где она работает, престижное.
"Where" is used in "where she works".
The institution in which she works is prestigious.
Учреждение, в котором она работает, престижное.
"In which" is a formal alternative to "where" in "in which she works".
The house where I live is small.
Дом, где я живу, маленький.
"Where" is used in "where I live".
The house in which I live is small.
Дом, в котором я живу, маленький.
"In which" is formal in "in which I live".
The city where he was born is large.
Город, где он родился, большой.
"Where" is used in "where he was born".
The choice of preposition in a formal time-relative construction depends on the time expression and the intended relationship.
For example, the day on which we met and the year in which she graduated are formal alternatives to when.
the day on which we met
день, в который мы встретились
"On which" is a formal alternative to "when" in "on which we met".
the year in which she graduated
год, в котором она окончила университет
"In which" is a formal alternative to "when" in "in which she graduated".
the moment at which he arrived
момент, в который он прибыл
"At which" is a formal alternative to "when" in "at which he arrived".
the period during which they lived abroad
период, в течение которого они жили за границей
"During which" is a formal alternative to "when" in "during which they lived abroad".
the time at which the meeting starts
время, в которое начинается собрание
"At which" is a formal alternative to "when" in "at which the meeting starts".
For which can replace why in formal relative constructions referring to reasons.
For example, The reason for which the decision was made is unclear.
The reason why the decision was made is unclear.
Причина, по которой было принято решение, неясна.
"Why" introduces the clause "why the decision was made".
The reason for which the decision was made is unclear.
Причина, по которой было принято решение, неясна.
"For which" is a formal alternative to "why" in "for which the decision was made".
I do not know the reason why she left.
Я не знаю причину, по которой она ушла.
"Why" introduces the clause "why she left".
The reason for which he was dismissed is confidential.
Причина, по которой он был уволен, конфиденциальна.
"For which" is formal in "for which he was dismissed".
Tell me the reason why you are upset.
Скажи мне причину, по которой ты расстроен.
"Why" introduces the clause "why you are upset".
A relative adverb normally replaces a prepositional relationship within the relative clause rather than functioning simply as a conjunction.
For example, where in The place where I live corresponds to the location relationship expressed by in which.
The place where I live is quiet.
Место, где я живу, тихое.
"Where" in "where I live" corresponds to the location relationship expressed by "in which".
The time when we met was special.
Время, когда мы встретились, было особенным.
"When" in "when we met" corresponds to the time relationship expressed by "at which".
The reason why she left is unknown.
Причина, по которой она ушла, неизвестна.
"Why" in "why she left" corresponds to the reason relationship expressed by "for which".
The house where they stayed was old.
Дом, где они остановились, был старым.
"Where" in "where they stayed" corresponds to "in which".
The day when he arrived was rainy.
День, когда он приехал, был дождливым.
"When" in "when he arrived" corresponds to "on which".
Where, when, and why can encode relationships that would otherwise be expressed using a preposition.
For example, where corresponds to in or at which in appropriate contexts, when to at or in which, and why to for which.
The place where I live is quiet.
Место, где я живу, тихое.
"Where" corresponds to "in which" in "where I live".
The time when we met was special.
Время, когда мы встретились, было особенным.
"When" corresponds to "at which" in "when we met".
The reason why she left is unknown.
Причина, по которой она ушла, неизвестна.
"Why" corresponds to "for which" in "why she left".
The office where he works is modern.
Офис, где он работает, современный.
"Where" corresponds to "in which" in "where he works".
The day when she graduated was sunny.
День, когда она окончила университет, был солнечным.
"When" corresponds to "on which" in "when she graduated".
Relative adverbs are common in both formal and informal English, while preposition + which alternatives are often more formal.
For example, The company where I work is natural in conversation, while The company for which I work is more formal.
The company where I work is expanding.
Компания, где я работаю, расширяется.
"Where" is natural in conversation in "where I work".
The company for which I work is expanding.
Компания, на которую я работаю, расширяется.
"For which" is more formal in "for which I work".
The day when we met was sunny.
День, когда мы встретились, был солнечным.
"When" is common in both formal and informal English in "when we met".
The reason why she left is unknown.
Причина, по которой она ушла, неизвестна.
"Why" is common in both registers in "why she left".
The city where she lives is beautiful.
Город, где она живёт, красивый.
"Where" is natural in conversation in "where she lives".
Use where, when, and why according to the type of relationship expressed by the antecedent and the relative clause.
Common mistakes include confusing where with which, using why when the antecedent is not a reason, retaining an unnecessary preposition after where, and confusing relative adverbs with ordinary conjunctions.
The house where I grew up is old.
Дом, где я вырос, старый.
"Where" is correct for a place; do not use "which" without a preposition in "where I grew up".
The reason why she left is unknown.
Причина, по которой она ушла, неизвестна.
"Why" is correct after "reason"; do not use "where" or "which" without a preposition in "why she left".
The day when we met was sunny.
День, когда мы встретились, был солнечным.
"When" is correct for time; do not use "which" without a preposition in "when we met".
The place where I live is quiet.
Место, где я живу, тихое.
"Where" is correct; do not add an unnecessary preposition after "where" in "where I live".
The reason why he resigned is unclear.
Причина, по которой он уволился, неясна.
"Why" is correct after "reason"; do not confuse it with a conjunction in "why he resigned".