In which cases we can't shorten relative clauses?

[white.rose]

Hi,

I would like to know in which cases we can't shorten relative clauses?

Thanks.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

In which cases can't we shorten relative clauses?


Hi,

I would like to know in which cases we can't shorten relative clauses. That's not a question. It's a statement. Use a period (a full stop), not a question mark.

Thanks.

Hi, White Rose!

You can't shorten them when they're as short as they can be.

Can you give us an example of what you're talking about?

Thanks!

 

[white.rose]

These are the examples:

1- I met Jeff last week, whom I believe you know from the office. (This sentence cannot be shortened.)

2- Did you watch the film which I recommended to you? (It can be shortened.)

Did you watch the film I recommended to you?

Why can't we shorten the first sentence while we can do that with the second one?

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think you are talking about contact relative clauses, in which the relative pronoun is omitted.
For details, see http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/relative.htm
Scroll down to 'There are two common occasions, particularly in spoken English, when the relative pronoun is omitted.'

 

[GoesStation]

Sentence 1 is a poor example because it would be greatly improved by splitting it into two:

​I met Jeff last week. I believe you know him from the office.