Relative Clauses - Grammar Explanation
1. Defining & Non-defining Relative Clauses
Defining relative clauses give essential information about a noun. They do not use commas
and are necessary for the sentence to make sense.
Example: The book that I borrowed is interesting.
Non-defining relative clauses add extra, non-essential information. They use commas and can
be removed without changing the sentence meaning.
Example: My brother, who lives in Madrid, is visiting us.
2. Formal vs. Informal Relative Clauses
In formal English, prepositions are placed before 'whom' or 'which'.
Example (Formal): The professor with whom I studied was brilliant.
Example (Informal): The professor I studied with was brilliant.
3. Omitting the Relative Pronoun
In defining clauses, we can omit 'who', 'which', or 'that' when they are objects.
Example: The movie (that) we watched was amazing.
4. Using 'Whom'
'Whom' is used instead of 'who' when it functions as the object of the sentence.
Example: The man whom I saw was my teacher.
Rule: If you can replace it with 'him/her', use 'whom'.
Example: The woman to whom I spoke was very polite.
Exercises - Defining & Non-defining Relative Clauses
1. The girl _______ is sitting next to me is my best friend. (who/which)
2. This is the book _______ I told you about. (that/which)
3. My car, _______ I bought last year, is very fast. (which/who)
4. The teacher _______ teaches English is very kind. (who/which)
5. His laptop, _______ was very expensive, broke down. (which/that)
6. The man _______ won the lottery is my neighbor. (who/whom)
7. The house _______ I grew up is very small. (where/which)
8. The artist _______ painted this picture is famous. (who/whom)
9. My phone, _______ I lost yesterday, was new. (which/that)
10. The dog _______ lives next door barks a lot. (who/that)
Exercises - Formal vs. Informal Relative Clauses
1. The professor _______ I studied was brilliant. (whom/who)
2. The person _______ I rely is very kind. (on whom/on who)
3. The hotel _______ we stayed was luxurious. (which/where)
4. The woman _______ he spoke is my aunt. (whom/who)
5. The company _______ she works is international. (for which/which)
Exercises - Omitting the Relative Pronoun
1. The book _______ I borrowed is on the table.
2. The movie _______ we watched was amazing.
3. The letter _______ she wrote made me cry.
4. The car _______ he bought is expensive.
5. The song _______ I love is playing.
6. The teacher _______ I admire most is retiring.
7. The job _______ he applied for is well-paid.
8. The story _______ she told was fascinating.
9. The shoes _______ she is wearing are new.
10. The cake _______ he baked was delicious.
Exercises - Using 'Whom'
1. The woman _______ I met at the party was very kind.
2. The teacher _______ I spoke to gave me advice.
3. The musician _______ she admires is performing tonight.
4. The person _______ we invited to dinner is my uncle.
5. The friend _______ I trust the most is Sarah.
6. The student _______ the professor helped passed the exam.
7. The lawyer _______ he consulted gave him great advice.
8. The actor _______ she interviewed was very famous.
9. The client _______ we contacted was very satisfied.
10. The author _______ wrote this book is very talented.
Answer Key
Defining & Non-defining: 1. who, 2. that, 3. which, 4. who, 5. which, 6. who, 7. where, 8. who,
9. which, 10. who
Formal vs. Informal: 1. whom, 2. on whom, 3. which, 4. whom, 5. for which
Omitting Relative Pronouns: 1. (that), 2. (that), 3. (that), 4. (that), 5. (that), etc.
Using 'Whom': 1. whom, 2. whom, 3. whom, 4. whom, 5. whom, 6. whom, 7. whom, 8. whom,
9. whom, 10. whom