The family who I bought their car is moving.

[sel6000]

Dear fellow teachers,

We know that possessive adjective clauses use "whose" as in the following example:
a. The family is moving.
b. I bought their car.

a+b = The family whose car I bought is moving.

What about the following combinations that try to by pass the use of whose?
1. a+b = The family who I bought their car is moving.
2. a+b = The family whom I bought their car is moving.
3. a+b = The family that I bought their car is moving.
4. a+b = The family I bought their car is moving.
If your answer is that these constructions are grammatically incorrect, would you say that they are informally used by native speakers?

 

[5jj]

They are incorrect. I would say that they are not used by native speakers.

 

[Tarheel]

Dear fellow teachers,

We know that possessive adjective clauses use "whose" as in the following example:
a. The family is moving.
b. I bought their car.

a+b = The family whose car I bought is moving.

If I were you I were you I would avoid using unnatural sentences like that one.

Perhaps: "The Dickersons are moving. They sold me their car."

Note that "bypass" is one word.

 

[5jj]

The family whose car I bought is moving.

That seems natural to me.

 

[Tarheel]

Really? Would you say that? What would that conversation be like?

 

[Skrej]

That seems natural to me.

I agree. It's just a common relative clause. Typical example of those restrictive/non-restrictive clause exercises I have students do.

Really? Would you say that? What would that conversation be like?

Any time you need to clarify which family it is that's moving.

 

[Tarheel]

I agree. It's just a common relative clause. Typical example of those restrictive/non-restrictive clause exercises I have students do.

Any time you need to clarify which family it is that's moving.

Fine. Let me see that in a conversation.

 

[Skrej]

Jim: Well, looks like we're getting new neighbors soon.
John: Oh, why's that?
Jim: Didn't you see the moving van?
John: No, guess I missed it. Which family is it that's moving?
Jim: The Jones.
John: Are they the ones with the twin redheaded toddlers?
Jim: No, they're the ones whose car I bought.
John: Hmm, still can't place them.

 

[Tarheel]

Nice try.

 

[sel6000]

Thanks everyone for you valuable input.

 

[emsr2d2]

Thanks, everyone, for your valuable input.

Note my corrections above. Also note that there is no need to write a new post to thank anyone. Simply add the "Thanks" icon to any response you find helpful. It saves time for everyone.