Relative Clauses Explained

Relative Clauses PART 1 with WHO, WHOM, WHICH, THAT.
Relative Clauses PART 2 with WHEN, WHERE, WHOSE, WHY.

Explanations + Extra Activities

Relative clauses are parts of sentences that give us extra information about a person, thing, place, time, or reason. In English, we use special words to introduce these clauses, such as who, whom, which, that, when, where, whose, and why. Here’s a simple explanation of each:

1. WHO

  • Use who for people.
  • It acts as the subject of the clause.
  • Example: “The teacher who loves math is my favorite.”

2. WHOM

  • Use whom for people, but only when they’re the object of the clause.
  • Often used in formal English, and it’s more common in writing.
  • Example: “The student whom I helped yesterday was grateful.”
  • (whom is the object of I helped)

3. WHICH

  • Use which for things, animals, or ideas.
  • It adds extra information about a thing.
  • Example: “The book which I borrowed is fascinating.”

4. THAT

  • That can replace who or which in informal speech and writing.
  • Used for people and things.
  • Example: “The movie that we watched was amazing.”

5. WHEN

  • Use when for time.
  • It explains the time something happens.
  • Example: “There was a day when it rained non-stop.”

6. WHERE

  • Use where for places.
  • It explains the place something happens.
  • Example: “The city where I grew up is beautiful.”

7. WHOSE

  • Use whose to show possession, usually with people but sometimes with things.
  • It means “belongs to.”
  • Example: “The man whose car broke down was late.”

8. WHY

  • Use why for reasons.
  • It explains the reason something happens.
  • Example: “I don’t know the reason why she left early.”

Summary:

Each word helps make our sentences more detailed and interesting. They connect ideas smoothly and give us more information without starting a new sentence.

Extra Practice!

Relative Clauses Quiz

Instructions: Combine the main sentence with the extra sentence using a relative clause. If the relative pronoun can be omitted, try making a reduced relative clause.

  1. Main: The teacher is very knowledgeable.
    Extra: The teacher helped me pass my exams.
  2. Main: The manager is on vacation.
    Extra: The manager handles our department.
  3. Main: The girl called her mother.
    Extra: The girl’s mother was waiting in the car.
  4. Main: The hotel is near the beach.
    Extra: Its pool is open all year round.
  5. Main: That was the day.
    Extra: I decided to move abroad on that day.
  6. Main: The recipe was delicious.
    Extra: You shared the recipe with me.
  7. Main: I saw a friend.
    Extra: You introduced me to the friend last year.
  8. Main: My brother goes to a school.
    Extra: The school has an excellent science program.
  9. Main: He still remembers the year.
    Extra: He graduated from college that year.
  10. Main: The movie won an award.
    Extra: The movie was about space exploration.
  11. Main: I have a friend.
    Extra: I talk to the friend every day.
  12. Main: This is the place.
    Extra: We had our first date at this place.
  13. Main: The man was speaking to my sister.
    Extra: She had never met the man before.
  14. Main: I bought a new laptop.
    Extra: The laptop has a lot of storage.
  15. Main: The car is electric.
    Extra: I bought the car last month.
  16. Main: The book was helpful.
    Extra: My professor recommended the book.

Answer Key

  1. The teacher who helped me pass my exams is very knowledgeable.
    • Omission: Not possible.
  2. The manager who handles our department is on vacation.
    • Omission: Not possible.
  3. The girl whose mother was waiting in the car called her mother.
    • Omission: Not possible.
  4. The hotel whose pool is open all year round is near the beach.
    • Omission: Not possible.
  5. That was the day when I decided to move abroad.
    • Omission: Not possible.
  6. The recipe that you shared with me was delicious.
    (Also correct: which)
    • Omission: Possible. Reduced form: “The recipe you shared with me was delicious.”
  7. I saw a friend whom you introduced me to last year.
    • Omission: Possible. Reduced form: “I saw a friend you introduced me to last year.”
  8. My brother goes to a school that has an excellent science program.
    (Also correct: which)
    • Omission: Possible. Reduced form: “My brother goes to a school with an excellent science program.”
  9. He still remembers the year when he graduated from college.
    • Omission: Not possible.
  10. The movie that was about space exploration won an award.
    (Also correct: which)
    • Omission: Possible. Reduced form: “The movie about space exploration won an award.”
  11. I have a friend who I talk to every day.
    (Also correct: whom or that)
    • Omission: Possible. Reduced form: “I have a friend I talk to every day.”
  12. This is the place where we had our first date.
    • Omission: Not possible.
  13. The man whom she had never met before was speaking to my sister.
    • Omission: Possible. Reduced form: “The man she had never met before was speaking to my sister.”
  14. I bought a new laptop that has a lot of storage.
    (Also correct: which)
    • Omission: Possible. Reduced form: “I bought a new laptop with a lot of storage.”
  15. The car that I bought last month is electric.
    (Also correct: which)
    • Omission: Possible. Reduced form: “The car I bought last month is electric.”
  16. The book that my professor recommended was helpful.
    (Also correct: which)
    • Omission: Possible. Reduced form: “The book my professor recommended was helpful.”
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