This message was originally submitted by [log in to unmask] to the ATEG list ----------------------------------------------------- In the first sentence, the clause is a noun clause, the object of "do know" so "whom" there is not a relative pronoun and cannot be omitted as it can be in the second sentence. On Wed, 10 Dec 1997, Eric wrote: > > hi, > Could someone help me out here with this grammar lesson. I teach English > as a second language: > > in the following two sentences: > > "I don't know who(m) I saw last night". > > "I like the girl who(m) i saw last night. > > ok, the above two, to my feeble understanding, both contain relative > clauses which are, > 1-defining > 2-and both have the relative pronoun as object > > therefore they should, in both cases, be capable of being omitted. Doesn't > seem to work with sentence one. > ok, so it looks like, in sentence one, that the relative clause is the > object of the verb itself (know), but still, isn't it a relative clause the > object of the verb "saw" being "who(m)?? > > thanks, eric >