Relative clauses

Prepared by: Mr. N. Chrishanth (0774734405)

A relative clause is a part of a sentence that gives additional information about a noun (person,
place, thing, or idea). It usually starts with a relative pronoun like who, whom, whose, which,
or that. The relative clause functions as an adjective, modifying the noun.

Types of Relative Clauses:

1. Defining (Restrictive) Relative Clauses:

o These clauses provide essential information to identify the noun they describe.
Without this information, the meaning of the sentence would be unclear.
o No commas are used in a defining relative clause.
o Example: The book that you gave me is on the table.
(The clause "that you gave me" is essential to know which book is being referred
to.)
2. Non-defining (Non-restrictive) Relative Clauses:
o These clauses give additional, non-essential information about the noun. The
sentence would still be clear without the clause.
o Commas are used to separate non-defining clauses.
o Example: My brother, who lives in London, is visiting us next week.
(The clause "who lives in London" gives extra information about the brother but
doesn't change the basic meaning of the sentence.)

Common Relative Pronouns:

1. Who: Refers to people (subject of the clause).

o Example: The teacher who taught me is retiring.
2. Whom: Refers to people (object of the clause, more formal).
o Example: The person whom I met yesterday was very friendly.
3. Whose: Shows possession (can refer to people or things).
o Example: The woman whose car was stolen reported it to the police.
4. Which: Refers to things or animals (subject or object).
o Example: The movie which we watched was exciting.
5. That: Refers to people, things, or animals (subject or object, can be used in both defining
and non-defining clauses in informal contexts).
o Example: The chair that she bought is very comfortable.

Examples:

 Defining Relative Clause:

o The students who study hard will pass the exam.
(The clause who study hard tells us which students.)
 Non-defining Relative Clause:
 o My car, which is very old, still runs perfectly.
(The clause which is very old gives extra information about the car.)

When to Use or Omit "That":

 Omit "that" after certain verbs, adjectives, and nouns:

o Example: The book that I read was fantastic. → The book I read was fantastic.
 Use "that" only in defining relative clauses (especially with "who" and "which"):
o Example: The company that I work for is expanding.

Practice:

1. The scientist who discovered the vaccine won a Nobel Prize.

2. The city that we visited last summer was beautiful.
3. The man whose car was parked outside is my neighbor.
4. The movie, which was directed by a famous filmmaker, received many awards.

Understanding how relative clauses function will help you make your writing more informative
and cohesive, which is key in tasks like the IELTS Writing Test.

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with who, which, or that.

1. The man _______ lives next door is very friendly.

2. The book _______ you recommended was excellent.
3. I met a woman _______ is a doctor.
4. The movie _______ we watched last night was amazing.
5. The cake _______ she made was delicious.

Exercise 2: Combine the sentences using a relative clause (defining).

1. The student is my cousin. She sits next to me in class.

2. I have a friend. He speaks five languages.
3. This is the house. We used to live in it.
4. I bought a new phone. It is much faster than my old one.
5. The car is very expensive. He just bought it.

Exercise 3: Choose the correct relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, or
that).

1. The author _______ wrote this book is famous.

2. The dog _______ barked loudly was very friendly.
3. The woman _______ we met at the party is my aunt.
4. The painting _______ was displayed in the museum is by Picasso.
5. The student _______ answers the question correctly gets a prize.
Exercise 4: Combine the sentences using a relative clause (non-defining).

1. He is my brother. He is a doctor.
2. I visited Paris. It is the capital of France.
3. The car is very old. It still works well.
4. The film was fantastic. It was directed by a famous director.
5. My teacher is kind. She helped me with my homework.

Exercise 5: Correct the mistake in the relative clause.

1. The man which is sitting over there is my uncle.

2. The house who we bought last year is very big.
3. I have a friend whose her mother is a teacher.
4. The people which I spoke to were very helpful.
5. The company which I work for is expanding.

Exercise 6: Fill in the blanks with who or which.

1. The artist _______ painted this masterpiece is very famous.

2. The restaurant _______ we ate at was excellent.
3. The people _______ helped me were very kind.
4. The book _______ I borrowed from the library was fascinating.
5. The movie _______ was shown at the festival was a documentary.

Exercise 7: Rewrite the sentences using a relative clause.

1. The girl is wearing a red dress. She is my sister.

2. The museum is closed today. It is located in the city center.
3. The man is very kind. His dog was lost.
4. The teacher gave us an assignment. She teaches history.
5. The place is beautiful. We visited it last summer.

Exercise 8: Fill in the blanks with whose or who.

1. The man _______ car was stolen reported it to the police.

2. The girl _______ you spoke to is my friend.
3. The family _______ house was damaged in the fire is now living with relatives.
4. The scientist _______ research changed the field won an award.
5. The boy _______ dog we rescued is very happy.

Exercise 9: Combine the sentences with whose.

1. The artist is famous. His paintings sell for millions.

2. The teacher is very friendly. Her students love her.
3. The company has been successful. Its products are high quality.
4. The child is playing outside. His mother is a nurse.
 5. The author is well-known. His books are bestsellers.

Exercise 10: Identify the type of relative clause (defining or non-defining).

1. My brother, who lives in London, is visiting us next week.

2. The house that we bought last year is very expensive.
3. The movie, which was directed by Spielberg, won several awards.
4. The book that I read last night was thrilling.
5. Sarah, who is my cousin, is studying abroad.

Exercise 11: Complete the sentences with a relative clause.

1. The restaurant _______ we dined at last night had delicious food.

2. The woman _______ you met at the party is my aunt.
3. The book _______ I borrowed was very interesting.
4. The man _______ spoke at the conference is a scientist.
5. The house _______ we moved into is near the beach.

Exercise 12: Choose the correct relative pronoun.

1. The house _______ we live in is very old.

2. The woman _______ I spoke to was very helpful.
3. The car _______ he drives is red.
4. The students _______ are in the class should complete their assignments.
5. The movie _______ I watched last night was scary.

Exercise 13: Correct the relative clause error.

1. The students who I met at the conference were very interesting.

2. The book what she gave me was amazing.
3. The city where I was born is beautiful.
4. The scientist whose he discovered the new theory is renowned.
5. The teacher whom gave the lecture was very knowledgeable.

Exercise 14: Combine the sentences into one using a relative clause.

1. I have a sister. She is a lawyer.

2. I live in a house. It is on the beach.
3. The singer is famous. She just released a new album.
4. The museum is interesting. It has a collection of ancient artifacts.
5. The movie was a comedy. It made everyone laugh.

Exercise 15: Fill in the correct relative pronoun (that, who, which, whose,
whom).
 1. The artist _______ paintings I admire is from Spain.
2. The house _______ was sold last week is huge.
3. The woman _______ you spoke to is my aunt.
4. The phone _______ I bought is very expensive.
5. The team _______ won the championship is celebrating.

Exercise 16: Underline the relative clause in each sentence.

1. The teacher, who is very kind, helps us with our projects.

2. The museum that I visited last week was very interesting.
3. The woman whose dog was lost called the animal shelter.
4. The car which was parked outside is mine.
5. The company that I work for is expanding globally.

Exercise 17: Use who or whom to complete the sentence.

1. The woman _______ I spoke to was very friendly.

2. The man _______ you met at the conference is my uncle.
3. The students _______ passed the exam are celebrating.
4. The artist _______ work was featured in the gallery is very famous.
5. The team _______ played the best won the tournament.

Exercise 18: Combine the sentences using which or that.

1. The book is about history. It was written by a famous author.

2. The dog is very playful. It belongs to my neighbor.
3. The city is very old. It has many historic buildings.
4. The room is very spacious. It has large windows.
5. The car is very fast. It is a sports car.

Exercise 19: Fill in the blanks with the correct relative pronoun (who, whose,
which, that).

1. The girl _______ won the competition was very happy.

2. The house _______ we rented is near the beach.
3. The artist _______ paintings were displayed in the gallery is famous.
4. The man _______ I met at the conference is a doctor.
5. The students _______ passed the exam received a certificate.

Exercise 20: Complete the sentences using the correct form of the relative clause.

1. The person _______ I admire the most is my grandmother.

2. The park _______ we go to is beautiful.
3. The teacher _______ helped me with my homework is very kind.
4. The book _______ I am reading is very interesting.
5. The restaurant _______ we ate at last night had excellent food.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with who, which, or that.

1. The man who lives next door is very friendly.

2. The book which you recommended was excellent.
3. I met a woman who is a doctor.
4. The movie which we watched last night was amazing.
5. The cake that she made was delicious.

Exercise 2: Combine the sentences using a relative clause (defining).

1. The student who sits next to me in class is my cousin.

2. I have a friend who speaks five languages.
3. This is the house that we used to live in.
4. I bought a new phone that is much faster than my old one.
5. The car that he just bought is very expensive.

Exercise 3: Choose the correct relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, or
that).

1. The author who wrote this book is famous.

2. The dog which barked loudly was very friendly.
3. The woman whom we met at the party is my aunt.
4. The painting which was displayed in the museum is by Picasso.
5. The student who answers the question correctly gets a prize.

Exercise 4: Combine the sentences using a relative clause (non-defining).

1. He is my brother, who is a doctor.

2. I visited Paris, which is the capital of France.
3. The car is very old, but it still works well.
4. The film was fantastic, which was directed by a famous director.
5. My teacher is kind, who helped me with my homework.

Exercise 5: Correct the mistake in the relative clause.

1. The man who is sitting over there is my uncle.

2. The house which we bought last year is very big.
3. I have a friend whose mother is a teacher.
4. The people whom I spoke to were very helpful.
5. The company that I work for is expanding.

Exercise 6: Fill in the blanks with who or which.

 1. The artist who painted this masterpiece is very famous.
2. The restaurant which we ate at was excellent.
3. The people who helped me were very kind.
4. The book which I borrowed from the library was fascinating.
5. The movie which was shown at the festival was a documentary.

Exercise 7: Rewrite the sentences using a relative clause.

1. The girl who is wearing a red dress is my sister.

2. The museum which is located in the city center is closed today.
3. The man whose dog was lost is very kind.
4. The teacher who teaches history gave us an assignment.
5. The place which we visited last summer is beautiful.

Exercise 8: Fill in the blanks with whose or who.

1. The man whose car was stolen reported it to the police.

2. The girl whom you spoke to is my friend.
3. The family whose house was damaged in the fire is now living with relatives.
4. The scientist whose research changed the field won an award.
5. The boy whose dog we rescued is very happy.

Exercise 9: Combine the sentences with whose.

1. The artist whose paintings I admire is from Spain.

2. The teacher whose students love her is very friendly.
3. The company whose products are high quality has been successful.
4. The child whose mother is a nurse is playing outside.
5. The author whose books are bestsellers is well-known.

Exercise 10: Identify the type of relative clause (defining or non-defining).

1. My brother, who lives in London, is visiting us next week. (Non-defining)

2. The house that we bought last year is very expensive. (Defining)
3. The movie, which was directed by Spielberg, won several awards. (Non-defining)
4. The book that I read last night was thrilling. (Defining)
5. Sarah, who is my cousin, is studying abroad. (Non-defining)

Exercise 11: Complete the sentences with a relative clause.

1. The restaurant which we dined at last night had delicious food.

2. The woman whom you met at the party is my aunt.
3. The book which I borrowed was very interesting.
4. The man who spoke at the conference is a scientist.
5. The house that we moved into is near the beach.
Exercise 12: Choose the correct relative pronoun.

1. The house that we live in is very old.

2. The woman whom I spoke to was very helpful.
3. The car which he drives is red.
4. The students who are in the class should complete their assignments.
5. The movie which I watched last night was scary.

Exercise 13: Correct the relative clause error.

1. The students whom I met at the conference were very interesting. (Correct: who)
2. The book what she gave me was amazing. (Correct: which)
3. The city where I was born is beautiful. (Correct)
4. The scientist whose he discovered the new theory is renowned. (Correct: who)
5. The teacher whom gave the lecture was very knowledgeable. (Correct: who)

Exercise 14: Combine the sentences into one using a relative clause.

1. I have a sister who is a lawyer.

2. I live in a house which is on the beach.
3. The singer who just released a new album is famous.
4. The museum which has a collection of ancient artifacts is very interesting.
5. The movie which made everyone laugh was a comedy.

Exercise 15: Fill in the correct relative pronoun (that, who, which, whose,
whom).

1. The artist whose paintings I admire is from Spain.

2. The house which was sold last week is huge.
3. The woman whom you spoke to is my aunt.
4. The phone which I bought is very expensive.
5. The team that won the championship is celebrating.

Exercise 16: Underline the relative clause in each sentence.

1. The teacher, who is very kind, helps us with our projects.

2. The museum that I visited last week was very interesting.
3. The woman whose dog was lost called the animal shelter.
4. The car which was parked outside is mine.
5. The company that I work for is expanding globally.

Exercise 17: Use who or whom to complete the sentence.

1. The woman whom I spoke to was very friendly.

2. The man whom you met at the conference is my uncle.
 3. The students who passed the exam are celebrating.
4. The artist whose work was featured in the gallery is very famous.
5. The team who played the best won the tournament.

Exercise 18: Combine the sentences using which or that.

1. The book which is about history was written by a famous author.

2. The dog which belongs to my neighbor is very playful.
3. The city which is very old has many historic buildings.
4. The room which has large windows is very spacious.
5. The car which is a sports car is very fast.

Exercise 19: Fill in the blanks with the correct relative pronoun (who, whose,
which, that).

1. The girl who won the competition was very happy.

2. The house that we rented is near the beach.
3. The artist whose paintings were displayed in the gallery is famous.
4. The man whom I met at the conference is a doctor.
5. The students who passed the exam received a certificate.

Exercise 20: Complete the sentences using the correct form of the relative clause.

1. The person who I admire the most is my grandmother.

2. The park which we go to is beautiful.
3. The teacher who helped me with my homework is very kind.
4. The book which I am reading is very interesting.
5. The restaurant where we ate at last night had excellent food.