Relative clauses are everywhere in English conversation. Understanding their grammar is one thing, but pronouncing them naturally is another challenge entirely. The way you stress relative pronouns, handle pauses, and shape your intonation can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
Relative Pronouns: How to Pronounce Each One
English has several relative pronouns, each with its own pronunciation. Let's start with the basics.
Notice that "who," "whom," and "whose" all start with the /huː/ sound. Many learners pronounce these with a simple /w/ sound, but the correct pronunciation includes the /h/ at the beginning. "Which" starts with /w/ and contains the /tʃ/ ("ch") sound at the end.
The Two Faces of "That": Strong and Weak Forms
The word "that" is the most common relative pronoun in everyday American English, and it has two pronunciations that serve different purposes.
In defining relative clauses, "that" is almost always pronounced with the weak form /ðət/. The vowel reduces to a schwa, making it shorter and less prominent. In very fast speech, "that" can become so reduced that it nearly disappears, which is why English speakers often omit it entirely: "The book I read" instead of "The book that I read."
Omitting "That" in Speech
In American English, dropping "that" in defining relative clauses is extremely common and sounds perfectly natural. Compare these:
- "The movie that we watched was great." /ðə ˈmuːvi ðət wi wɑːtʃt wəz ɡreɪt/
- "The movie we watched was great." /ðə ˈmuːvi wi wɑːtʃt wəz ɡreɪt/
Both are correct, and the second version (without "that") is actually more common in casual speech.
Defining vs Non-Defining Clauses: The Intonation Difference
This is where pronunciation becomes crucial for meaning. The key difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses in speech is the presence or absence of pauses and pitch changes.
Defining Clauses: No Pauses
Defining (restrictive) relative clauses have no pauses. The sentence flows continuously, and the intonation is smooth:
- "The man who called is here." (continuous, no breaks)
- "Students who study hard get good grades." (smooth flow)
The relative clause is spoken as part of the same intonation unit as the rest of the sentence. There is no pitch break before "who" or after the clause.
Non-Defining Clauses: Pauses and Pitch Changes
Non-defining (non-restrictive) relative clauses are set off by pauses, which correspond to commas in writing. The pitch drops slightly at the beginning of the clause and rises again at the end:
- "My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor." (pause before "who," pause after "London")
- "This book, which was published in 1990, is still popular." (clear pauses at commas)
The relative clause sounds almost like a parenthetical aside, spoken at a slightly lower pitch than the main clause.
Relative Adverbs: Where, When, Why
These relative adverbs follow the same intonation rules as relative pronouns. In defining clauses, they flow smoothly into the sentence. In non-defining clauses, they are preceded by a pause.
Advanced Relative Pronouns
English also has compound relative pronouns that combine a relative pronoun with "ever." These words are stressed on the second syllable.
Notice that in all three words, the stress falls on the "-ev-" syllable. The "ever" portion carries the main emphasis, while the first part ("who," "what," "which") is slightly reduced.
Practice Tips for Natural Pronunciation
- Record yourself: Read sentences with both defining and non-defining clauses. Listen for pauses and pitch changes.
- Practice the weak "that": Say "the book that I read" with /ðət/, not /ðæt/. Then try dropping "that" entirely.
- Master the /h/ in "who": Make sure you pronounce the breathy /h/ sound at the start of "who," "whom," and "whose."
- Listen for pauses in native speech: Pay attention to how speakers mark non-defining clauses with their voice.
- Connect smoothly in defining clauses: Practice saying "The person who called" as one smooth phrase without any pause before "who."
Mastering the pronunciation of relative clauses will significantly improve your fluency. The key is understanding that grammar and pronunciation work together: the pauses, stress, and intonation patterns are not optional decoration, they carry meaning.