Relative clauses

Relative clauses

by Mario Medina

​Relative clauses

They identify which p​erson or thing we are talking about.

They make it possible to give more in​formation about the person or thing.

​

​The boy went to the beach. (Which boy?)

​​The boy who lives next door went to the beach.

​

The book is very good. (Which book?)

​The book that I bought yesterday is very good.

​Relative clauses

There is a photo of the hotel. (Which hotel?)

There is a photo of the hotel where we stayed.​

who/that

We can use who or that to talk about people. That is more informal.

​

• ​She's the woman who cuts my hair.

​

• He's the man that I met at the conference.

which/that

We can use which or that to talk about things. That is more common and a bit more informal.

​

• There was a one-year guarantee which came with the TV.

• The laptop that I bought last week has started making a strange noise!

Where

We use where in relative clauses to talk about a place. Where is followed by a noun or pronoun.

​

​Where I live there are a lot of parks.

​

There are cafés where ​we live.

​

​

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Multiple Choice

We can add more information by using relative clauses.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

We use them to talk about the people:

• Who, that

• Which, that

• where

Multiple Choice

We use them to talk about things:

• Who, that

• Which, that

• where

Multiple Choice

We use them to talk about places:

• Who, that

• Which, that

• where

Multiple Select

The heavy rain, _____ was unusual for the time of year, destroyed most of the plants in my garden.

• who

• that 

• which

• where

Multiple Select

My teacher, _____ came to Germany in 1986, likes to ride his mountain bike.

• who

• that 

• which

• where

Multiple Select

Einstein, _____ was born in Germany, is famous for his theory of relativity.

• who

• that 

• which

• where

Multiple Choice

In the summer I'm going to visit Italy, _____ my brother lives.

• who

• that 

• which

• where

Open Ended

Write 1 sentence using who as relative clause.

Open Ended

Write 1 sentence using which as relative clause.

Open Ended

Write 1 sentence using where as relative clause.