3.

1 Defining and non-defining

Relative clauses can be defining (restrictive) or non-defining (non-restrictive). A defining

relative clause gives essential information that tells you exactly which person or thing we are
talking about. A non-defining relative clause adds extra, non-essential information about a
person or thing.
We separate non-defining relative clauses from the rest of the sentence with commas. It is
very important to remember not to use “that” in a non-defining relative clause.
Consider these examples:

● Defining: The athlete that won the race broke a record.

● Non-defining: London, where I was born, is a vibrant city.

In the first sentence, the relative clause is essential because it tells you which athlete is being
discussed. In the second sentence, the relative clause 'where I was born' simply provides extra
information, and you already know which city is being referred to.
You can use 'which' in a non-defining relative clause to refer to the entire sentence or
situation. For example:

● My boss decided to end the workday early because of the blizzard, which I thought was a
good idea.

Here, 'which' refers to the whole idea of the boss letting people leave early.

3.2 Rules for omitting relative pronouns

You can omit the relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that) if:

● It is the object of the verb in the relative clause.

● The clause is defining.

● There is no preposition directly before the pronoun (e.g., for which, to whom).

● The cake that you brought to my party was delicious.

○ In the relative clause 'that you brought to my party', the verb is 'brought', the subject is
'you', and the object is that', which refers to 'the cake'.
○ If you rewrite the sentence as “You brought the cake to my party,” you can see that “you”
is the subject, and “the cake” is the object.
Since 'that' is the object of the verb in the relative clause, you can rewrite the sentence as:

○ The cake you brought to my party was delicious.

You cannot remove the relative pronoun if:

● The pronoun is the subject.

✓ The woman who teaches maths is my aunt.

✗ Incorrect: The woman teaches maths is my aunt.

● The clause is non-defining.

✓ The Eiffel Tower, which was completed in 1889, is a symbol of Paris.

✗ Incorrect: The Eiffel Tower, was completed in 1889, is a symbol of Paris.

● There is a preposition directly before the pronoun (e.g., in which, to whom).

✓ The house in which I grew up was built by my great-grandfather.

✗ Incorrect: The house I grew up was built by my great-grandfather.

● The pronoun is 'whose' (possession) or 'where/when' (place/time).

✓ The man whose leg was bitten by a shark died from his injuries.
✗ Incorrect: The man leg was bitten by a shark died from his injuries.

4. Reduced relative clauses

4.1 Definition

A reduced relative clause is a shortened form of a full relative clause. It omits the relative
pronoun (e.g., who, which, that) and the auxiliary verbs (e.g., is, was) in the clause by using a
present participle (-ing), a past participle (-ed), or an adjective to make the sentence more
concise.

Full forms of relative clauses Reduced forms of relative clauses

I enjoyed the film that you recommended. I enjoyed the film you recommended.

The like the guitar hanging next to the

I like the guitar that hang next to the violin.
violin.

The scholar who had been nominated for the The scholar nominated for the
award published another article. award published another article.

The report that was submitted by our The report submitted by our team was
team was well-received. well-received by the CEO.

The man who is wearing a blue shirt is my The man wearing a blue shirt is my
father. father.

The building that is across from Robinson The building across from Robinson
Hall is the Fenwick Library. Hall is the Fenwick Library.
 4.2 Rules

If a relative pronoun is followed by the auxiliary verb 'be', you can remove both the pronoun
and the 'be' verb.

● The magazines that are on the table belong to me. ⇛ The magazines on the table belong to

● People who were living by the River Severn had to evacuate due to the heavy floods. ⇛
me.

People living by the River Severn had to evacuate due to the heavy floods.

If a relative pronoun is followed by a verb, you can change both into a verb ending in '-ing'.

● Apps that require frequent updates can be annoying. ⇛ Apps requiring frequent updates

● Laws that restrict freedom of speech must be amended. ⇛ Laws restricting freedom of
can be annoying.

speech must be amended.

If a relative pronoun is followed by the past perfect form (had been + past participle), you can
remove the relative pronoun and 'had been', leaving the past participle.

● The song which had been written for the film won an award. ⇛ The song written for the

● The documents which were prepared for the meeting were accidentally deleted. ⇛ The
film won an award

documents prepared for the meeting were accidentally deleted.

In passive voice constructions (is/are/was/were + past participle), you can remove the relative
pronoun and the 'be' verb, leaving the past participle.

●The regulations that were approved by the committee will take effect next month. ⇛ The

● The report that was submitted yesterday had some errors. ⇛ The report submitted
regulations approved by the committee will take effect next month.

yesterday had some errors.

Reduced relative clauses are common in:

● Travel guides: 'Souvenirs made locally'

● News headlines: 'PM facing criticism'
● Academic writing: 'Data collected from 200 participants ...'
Recommended
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Essential list of phrasal verbs you need to learn

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