1. You use defining relative clauses to give 2. “That”, “who” or “which” can be: 3.
You use “whose” in
information that helps to identify the person or relative clauses to
thing you are talking about. The subject of the verb in the relative clause. indicate who something
The thing that really surprised me was his belongs to or relates to
When you are talking about people, you use attitude. you. You normally use
“that” or”who” in the relative clause. The woman who lives next door is very friendly. “whose” for people,
The car which caused the accident drove off. not for things.
He was the man that bought my car.
He was the man who bought my car. The object of the verb in the relative clause. -A child whose mother
The thing that I really liked about it was its size. had left him was crying .
When you are talking about things, you use “that” The woman who you met yesterday lives next
or “which” in the relative clause. door.
The car which I wanted to buy was not for sale.
The window that was broken has now been
repaired. In formal English, “whom” is used instead of
The window which was broken has now been “who” as the object of the verb in the relative
repaired. clause.
He was a man whom I greatly respected
4. You can leave out “that”, “who” or “which” 5. A relative pronoun in a relative clause can be the object of a preposition,
when they are the object of the verb in the relative Usually the preposition goes at the end of the clause.
clause. I wanted to do the job which I´d been training for.
The woman (who) you met yesterday lives next You can often omit a relative pronoun that is the object of a preposition
door. Mary was the only person I could talk to.
The car (which) I wanted to buy was not for sale. The preposition always goes in front of “whom”, and in front of “which” in
formal English.
The thing (that) I really liked about it was its size.
He was asking questions to which there were no answers.
6. You can use “when”,”where” and “why” in defining A) Complete the following sentences using a relative clause
relative clauses after certain nouns. with that as the subject. Write who or which in brackets
after each sentence to show which word could replace that.
1. The bus leaves at 2.10./ She´s too late to catch the bus
“when” after time or “where” after “place” or that leaves at 2.10 (which)
time words place words (room, street…) 2. A man answered the phone./ The man
( day,year…) ………………………….....
asked me to call back later.
“why after 3. A pencil was left on the desk./ The pencil
This is the year when profits should increase. …………………………..…………
“reason”
That was the room where I did my homework. belongs to me.
There are several reasons why we can´t do that. 4. A boy plays basketball./ What´s the name of the boy
……………………………………………….?
C) Complete the following sentences using a relative clause
with that as the object. Write who or which in brackets
B) Make a relative clause with a preposition: after each sentence to show which word could replace that.
1. I read a magazine yesterday./ I really enjoyed the
you were with her yesterday I am living in it magazine that I read yesterday. (which)
they were talking about them I work with them 2. I left some money on the table./The money
she is married to him I work with them …………………………… seems to have disappeared.
we wanted to travel on it I applied for them 3. We took some photographs on holiday./ Have you seen
the photographs ……………………………………?
4. I met someone on the train./ Someone
1. The house …………………..….. is in very good …………………………… gave me some good advice.
condition.
2. I didn´t get the job …………………………………………
3. I wasn´t interested in the things …………………………
4. The man ……….………… has been married once
before.
D) Complete these sentences by adding when, where,whose or
5. The flight ………………..………………. was fully
why.
booked.
6. I enjoy my job because I like the people 1. This is definitely the room ……………………… I left it.
………………… 2. Tom is the one …………………………… desk is next to yours.
7. Who was that girl …………………..……………………… ? 3. There must be a good reason ............................... she´s late.
8. The party ………………….……… wasn´t very 4. Do you remember the time …………………… we got lost?
enjoyable. 5. He is building a bank on the street ……………… we live.
6. Is there any reason ……………… I should help you?
