Relative Clauses
Relative clauses give us extra information in a sentence. There are two types of relative clauses that we use, depending on how important the extra information that we are giving is to our main clause. They follow the noun that they relate to.
Defining Relative Clauses – These clarify (make clear) information in the main sentence.
Let’s look at an example sentence:
John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
This is a simple sentence in the passive voice. There is not much that is surprising in this sentence, but we haven’t got the whole story yet:
John F. Kennedy who lived next door to me was assassinated.
This is a surprise! Most people would have thought that the John F. Kennedy in the first sentence was the American president – not my next door neighbour!
Here the relative clause ‘who lived next door to me’ is very important information that you need to be told to understand the meaning of the sentence. This is called a defining relative clause because it defines (tells us clearly) which John F. Kennedy I am talking about.
Relative Pronouns in Defining Relative Clauses - relative clauses are often introduced by relative pronouns. Depending on whether the relative clause refers to a person or a thing, a subject or an object, we choose a different relative pronoun.
The relative pronouns that we use are:
who this can refer to a person as the subject or object of a clause
The girl who works in my school is pretty.
I like the girl who works in my school.
whom this can refer to a person as the object of a clause in formal English
Did you speak to the person whom I spoke to?
which this can refer to a thing as the subject or object of a clause
The shop which is closest to my house is closed.
They have closed the shop which is closest to my house.
that the most versatile relative pronoun, this can refer to a person or thing as the subject or object of a clause – especially in spoken English.
The man that I spoke to was helpful.
He was more helpful than the other man that I spoke to.
The problem that I found was the The
whose this shows possession in a relative clause
The man whose car was stolen called the police.
The police interviewed the man whose car was stolen.
We can also use adverbs to introduce relative clauses:
where used to talk about a place
The city where I belong is far away.
Paris is the city where I visited the most museums.
why used to give a reason
The reason why I’m asking you is simple.
There is a good reason why I’m asking you.
when used to refer to a time
The date when he retires is the 31st.
That will be the day when he retires.
After Superlatives (the most dangerous, the biggest etc.) and indefinite pronouns (all, none, some etc.) it is better to replace which with that.
The shop that is closest to my house is closed
When using that to define the pronoun, it can be omitted (left out).
They have closed the shop closest to my house.
Task 1
Put the correct relative clause in these sentences.
1. People have nice clothes are very lucky.
2. I bought a jacket was ripped.
3. The shop assistant sold it to me wouldn’t exchange it.
4. Clothes are damaged should be exchanged.
5. I believe that the shop sold it to me should exchange it.
6. They told me that I should have asked about exchanging goods I bought it. .
7. I asked the manager they don’t exchange goods.
8. The company will dismiss the manager I spoke to.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses - The other type of relative clause that we can use is called a non-defining relative clause. The role of these is to give extra information which is not so important to the main clause but it may be interesting. For example:
John F. Kennedy, who was the 35th American president, was assassinated.
or even
John F. Kennedy, who was the 35th American president said to have an affair with Marylin Monroe, was assassinated.
When we use a non-defining relative clause, we put a comma before the relative pronoun and after the relative clause.
Relative Pronouns in Non-Defining Relative Clauses – As with defining relative clauses, the use of the relative pronoun depends on whether the relative clause refers to a person or a thing, a subject or an object.
The relative pronouns that we use are:
who this can refer to a person as the subject or object of a clause
My sister Andrea, who is 16, is starting her A levels.
I am proud of Andrea, who is starting her A levels.
whom this can refer to a person as the object of a clause in formal English
Did you speak to my boss, whom is the head of department?
which this can refer to a thing as the subject or object of a clause
Tesco, which is one of the UK’s biggest companies, is very successful.
They have franchised Spar, which is an international company.
whose this shows possession in a relative clause
Your father, whose car was stolen, called the police.
I spoke to your father, whose birthday is today.
We can also use where to introduce relative clauses:
where used to talk about a place
Cardiff, where I was born, is far away.
Cardiff is a big city, where I was born.
That can never be used in non-defining relative clauses:
Your father, that car was stolen, called the police.
INCORRECT!
In non-defining relative clauses which can be used to refer to the entire clause:
I came home and fell asleep before finishing my homework, which was stupid.
Task 2
Combine these sentences by using relative pronouns in non-defining relative clauses.
1. Victor is from Mexico. He is 33 years old.
2. He works for the petrol company. It is the biggest in the world.
3. When he doesn’t work, he runs a café. He doesn’t work for two weeks every month.
4. His café is successful. It is an internet cafe.
5. Victor would love to live in Britain. He works too much to have a holiday.
6. He has friends in Britain. His friends taught him in Mexico.
.
7. Sometimes he calls his friends. Calling his friends can be expensive.
8. One day he will visit them. I hope this day will be soon.
Task 3
Decide whether these sentences in italics are defining or non-defining relative clauses. Place commas around the non-defining relative clauses.
1. I have two brothers
My brother who is a teacher lives with his wife.
2. My mother is on holiday
My mother who is a solicitor is on holiday.
3. My girlfriend works very hard
My girlfriend who is a good cook works very hard.
4. I have three computers
My computer which I recently bought isn’t working.
5. Kim bought some more groceries
The groceries which Kim bought are in the kitchen.
6. London is hosting the Olympics.
London which has a population of 8 million will be host to the Olympics.
7. A taxi is outside.
The taxi which you called is outside.
8. A girl on the television is rich.
The girl in green on the television is wealthy.
