English Grammar through Stories. I had just finished at university and had a couple of weeks holiday before I started my first full-time job when I was invited by my aunt and uncle to stay
by Alan Townend
I had just finished at university and had a couple of weeks holiday before I started my first full-time job when I was invited by my aunt and uncle to stay for a few days at the famous haunted house. «You are given freedom of the house while you're here», my uncle had said, «and you can carry out any investigations you like concerning our «house ghost» — that was how the old lady was referred to because I want you of all people to to be convinced of the authenticity of this apparition.» Somehow I was a highly respected member of the family and my uncle firmly believed that my word was accepted. The first two days, no sign was given of the «ghostly» old lady. On the third day my aunt and uncle asked me if I wanted to come on a lengthy shopping expedition because their supplies now had been exhausted and they had to travel some twenty miles to the nearest town that had a supermarket. This ritual regularly was carried out once a month. I declined the offer as I had decided it was time for me to go for a swim in the sea. Before they left, meaningful glances were exchanged between my aunt and uncle as if they both expected to hear some news from me when they got back. As they left, my uncle turned and said, «You will be suprised at what happens, while we are away.»
I went for my swim but the sea was very rough and I constantly was pushed onto the beach by the waves. I gave up in the end and made my way back to the house, got washed and dressed, had a bite to eat and sat on the most comfortable chair to watch television. After what seemed like a few minutes, I was aware of an unusual sound as if pieces of material were rubbed together. I got up from the chair and walked into the hall. I was quite taken aback with what confronted me. There, at the bottom of the stairs was the celebrated little old lady carrying her walking stick and holding a pack of cards. For some strange reason I wasn't frightened at all by this apparition. I went up to her and quite calmly asked her, «Will you come in and join me in the sitting room.» She too showed no sign of being disturbed by my casual invitation. «I should be delighted» she replied «and perhaps you could be persuaded to join me in a game of cards.» We got on like a house on fire but strange as it may seem, the subject of ghosts or haunting not wasn't mentioned and we played one game of cards after the other as if it was the most natural thing in the world. I think I was dealt some terrible cards because I kept on losing and in the end my guest was obviously getting bored by the lack of competition. A little later she complained of tiredness and left the room.
When they returned, I told my uncle that the little old lady had made an appearance but I didn't go into the card games and our little chat. He was overwhelmed by the news. It changed his life. Till his dying day he regaled all visitors with the story of the ghostly lady and then added with a broad grin, «It is not just me, you know, the story was verified by my nephew.»
Well, I did spend a lovely holiday there, they were both very kind to me and no harm no harm was done. You see it depended on the way «made an appearance» is interpreted. After my vigorous swim I'd sat down in front of the television and fallen asleep and well — I have to confess — I simply dreamt the whole thing.
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English Grammar through Stories
by Alan Townend
Relative pronoun
The story I am about to tell you contains lots of examples of the «Relative Pronoun». Before you read it, look through the following notes:
General
1. Relative pronouns do two jobs at once:
a. acting as subject or object of a verb
b. joining two clauses together
2. The most common are: who, whom, which and that — who and whom for people and which for things.
3. Whom is not used much in conversation and refers to an object of a verb or a preposition.
4. That can often replace whom, who and which.
5. After nouns referring to times and places, when and where can be used to mean at which or in which and why can be used to mean for which.
6. Whose is a possessive relative word, referring to people and things.
Particular
1. Defining and non-defining relative clauses
Compare:
«George, who lives next door, always watches television.» «The couple who live next door always watch television.»
2. That
a. For people and things and in conversation.
b. After the following: all, everything, something, anything,
nothing, none, little, few, much.
c. After superlatives.
3. In defining relative clauses the relative pronoun is often left out if
it is the object of the verb.
4. Prepositions can come before the relative pronoun or at the end of the clause but you cannot use that or who after a preposition.
5. In a non-defining relative clause that cannot be used and object relative pronouns cannot be left out.
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