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Relative Clauses
Relative clauses provide additional information about a noun in a sentence. They are introduced by
relative pronouns and can be either defining or non-defining. Understanding how to use and form
these clauses correctly can add depth and detail to your writing and speech.
1. Defining and Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Defining Relative Clauses:
• Use: Provide essential information to identify the noun they modify. Without this
information, the sentence's meaning would be incomplete or unclear.
• Structure: Directly follow the noun they modify and do not use commas.
• Examples:
o The book that you gave me is fascinating. (The clause specifies which book is being
referred to.)
o The students who study hard usually get good grades. (The clause tells us which
students are being discussed.)
Non-Defining Relative Clauses:
• Use: Provide additional, non-essential information about the noun. The sentence remains
complete and clear without this information. These clauses are separated by commas.
• Structure: Follow the noun they modify and are set off by commas.
• Examples:
o My brother, who lives in New York, is coming to visit. (The clause adds extra
information about the brother.)
o The car, which was parked outside, has been stolen. (The clause gives extra details
about the car.)
2. Relative Pronouns
Who:
• Use: Refers to people.
• Examples:
o The teacher who inspired me is retiring.
o The woman who called you is waiting outside.
Which:
• Use: Refers to animals and things.
• Examples:
o The book, which I read last summer, was a bestseller.
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o The house which was built last year has a beautiful garden.
That:
• Use: Refers to people, animals, or things. Used in defining relative clauses and can
sometimes replace "who" or "which."
• Examples:
o The restaurant that we visited was excellent.
o The movie that won the award was fantastic.
Whom:
• Use: Refers to people and is used as the object of a verb or preposition. It is more formal and
often used in written English.
• Examples:
o The person whom you met yesterday is my cousin.
o The team with whom she worked won the competition.
Whose:
• Use: Shows possession and can refer to people, animals, or things.
• Examples:
o The woman whose car was stolen is very upset.
o I met a writer whose book you recommended.
3. Reduced Relative Clauses
Use: To make sentences more concise by omitting the relative pronoun and the verb "to be" when it
functions as the main verb in the clause. Reduced relative clauses are often used in both written and
spoken English to streamline sentences.
Structure for Reducing Defining Relative Clauses:
• Relative Pronoun + Verb "to be" + Removed becomes (Main Clause + Reduced Clause)
o Example:
▪ Full Relative Clause: The book that is lying on the table is mine.
▪ Reduced Relative Clause: The book lying on the table is mine.
Structure for Reducing Non-Defining Relative Clauses:
• Relative Pronoun + Verb (not "to be") can be reduced to (Main Clause + Reduced Clause)
o Example:
▪ Full Relative Clause: The student who was studying in the library is my
friend.
▪ Reduced Relative Clause: The student studying in the library is my friend.
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Additional Examples:
• Full: The car which was parked outside is gone.
o Reduced: The car parked outside is gone.
• Full: The person whom I spoke to yesterday was very helpful.
o Reduced: The person I spoke to yesterday was very helpful.
Understanding and using relative clauses effectively can help you add more information and variety
to your sentences, making your communication clearer and more engaging.