Relative Clauses and Relative Pronouns

Relative Clauses

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Multiple Choice

The hospital ______ I was born was demolished yesterday.

• who

• which

• where

• whose

• when

Multiple Choice

I'm looking for the knife _____ my grandmother gave me on Christmas.

• who

• which

• where

• whose

• when

Multiple Choice

The day _____ you brought the new puppy I was really sad and it made me happy.

• who

• which

• where

• whose

• when

Multiple Choice

I talked to the guy _____ dog always destroys our plants and he will pay for the damage.

• who

• which

• where

• whose

• when

Multiple Choice

Are you the person _____ phoned here an hour ago?

• who

• which

• where

• whose

• when

Multiple Choice

Can we ommit the relative pronoun?

She's the person who I met at the conference.

She's the person I met at the conference.

Multiple Choice

Can we ommit the relative pronoun?

The man who was feeling ill left early.

The man who was feeling ill left early.

Multiple Choice

Can we ommit the relative pronoun?

The stereo that I bought last weekend doesn't work properly.

The stereo I bought last weekend doesn't work properly.

Multiple Choice

An insect is an animal ___ has six legs.

• which

• that

• both

Multiple Choice

This is the shop ___ I bought my shoes.

•  that

• where

• both

Multiple Choice

She was the doctor ___ saved my life.

•  who

• whose

• which

Multiple Choice

That's the man ___ car was burnt.

• who

• whose

• which

Multiple Choice

There is a river ___ we have to cross.

• who

• that

• both

What is Relative Clauses?

RC give us more information about the subject or the object of a sentence. They are introduced by the following relative pronouns

who which that

whom where why

when whose

EXAMPLES

• The little girl who/that i look after during the day is adopted.

• The laundry which/that is in the basket is filthy.

• That's the place where my father met my stepmother.

• That is the reason why Joe is grumbling.

• That was the time when I had an argument with my brother.

• This is the woman whose daughter does our housework.

​This is the music which was used at the show.
 

Have they found the prisoner who escaped last week?

 

We can use that 

In defining relative clauses we can use that instead of which or who.

This is the music that was used at the show. 

Have they found the prisoner that escaped last week?

When can we omit who/which/that? 

Who/which/that, can be omitted if they are followed by subject + verb

Can you pass me the box (which/that) I keep in the top drawer?

You are not the man (who/that) I thought you were. 

 

This music, which I really like, was used at the show.

My sister, who I truly admire, is coming for Thanksgiving. 

We cannot use that, and we cannot omit who/which 

In non-defining relative clauses (between commas) we cannot use that, and we cannot omit who/which.

This music, which I really like, was used at the show. 

My sister, who I truly admire, is coming for Thanksgiving. 

Common mistakes 

Two subjects 

When who, which or that is the subject of a relative clause, we don’t use another pronoun or noun after it, because we can only have one subject (who, which or that).

I saw a man who was very tall. 
(NOT: I saw a man who he was very tall.)

That is the painting that was stolen from the gallery. 
(NOT: That is the painting that it was stolen from the gallery.)

Defining and non defining relative clause

The chore which/ that I hate most is the washing up.

(The sentence would not make sense without which/that I hate most)

The man who/that I invited to the get together are my uncles.

(extra information)

Molly, who often gossips, doesn't get along with her peers.

Preposition in relative clauses

Prepositions usually come at the end of the relative clause. They can come before the relative pronoun but it will sound very formal.

Formal > His books about relationships, for which he is famous, sell very well.

Common > His books about relationships, which he is famous for, sell very well.

Multiple Choice

1

This is the place ______ I saw him the last time.

• a.where

• b.which

• c.that

Multiple Choice

2

That's the man ______ daughter has won the lottery.

• a.which

• b.who

• c.whose

Multiple Select

3

Do you know the musician ______ is playing the guitar. Choose TWO correct options

• a.who

• b.-

• c.that

Open Ended

Escriba una defining relative clause.

Multiple Choice

4

The painting, ______ was finished in 1850, is one of the most representative works of that time.

• a.which

• b.-

• c.that

Multiple Choice

5

This is the person ______ I introduced you a few weeks ago.

• a.which

• b.that

• c.-

Multiple Choice

6

I can't find the shop ______ I bought my computer two years ago.

• a.where

• b.that

• c.which

Open Ended

Escriba una non-defining relative clause.

Multiple Choice

7

What's the book ______ we must read this term?

• a.where

• b.who

• c.–

Multiple Choice

8

This is the girl ______ parents are getting divorced.

• a.who

• b.whose

• c.whom

Multiple Choice

9

The final decision, ______ not everybody is going to like, will be announced at the next meeting.

• a.which

• b.that

• c.–

Open Ended

Escriba una defining relative clause.

Multiple Select

10

This phone is much better than the first phone ______ you showed me. Choose TWO correct options

• a.whose

• b.that

• c.–

Multiple Choice

May, who is my best friend, came to my house.

• Defining

• Non-defining

Multiple Choice

The math class, which is online, was really easy.

• Defining

• Non-defining

Multiple Choice

This one is the marker that I use

• Defining

• Non-defining

Open Ended

Escriba una non-defining relative clause.