1. RELATIVE CLAUSES
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Definition
A relative clause is a part of a sentence beginning with a
relative pronoun (although this pronoun can be omitted in certain
cases).
1

2. There are two types
Can you notice any difference in their meaning?
The boys in my class who wear glasses are attractive
The boys in my class, who wear glasses, are attractive

3. The boys who wear glasses are attractive
•These relative clauses give you the information you need to understand the sentence.
• There are no commas.
•If you take the relative clause away, the sentence doesn't make sense.
• In these kind of sentences WHO can be replaced by THAT
These are called Defining Relative Clauses

4. The boys, who wear glasses, are attractive
•These are the ones that give extra information.
•They are always written between commas.
• If you leave out the relative clause between the commas it still makes sense.
•In these kind of sentences WHO cannot be replaced by THAT
These are known as Non-Defining Relative Clauses

5. Basic relative pronouns
The relative pronoun you use depends on the thing you're talking
about. Generally speaking, the most basic ones are these:
for people who/that
for objects which/that
for places where
for reasons why
when
for time
whose
for possession
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6. Complete the following sentences using WHO
-An architect...
-A burglar...
-A vegetarian...
-A customer...
- A shoplifter...

7. Trickier relative pronouns

8. .
WHICH
This can be used to refer to the whole part of the sentence that went
before. Usually a pronoun refers to a noun, but this refers to more.
My dad has broken his leg, which worries me
I've still got some money left, which is surprising
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9. .
WHOSE
This is used to show possession. It can always be used for people and
animals, but also for things.
My pupils, whose homework is never done, will fail the
exam.
The homework belongs to the students, it's theirs, so
possessive.
The city, whose football team lost the match, never wins
anything.
The city's made up of people, so it sounds OK.
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10. .
WHOM
*It sounds very formal to most people. Therefore, it is hardly ever
used in spoken English.
*If you're going to use it at all, then only use it after prepositions.
The boy to whom I was talking is my cousin
*However, there's usually another less formal way to say the same
thing.
The boy that/who I was talking to is my cousin
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11. Use the correct Relative Pronoun

12. -The hotel _________ we stayed was very good for the price

13. -The hotel WHERE we stayed was very good for the price

14. -The books, ___________ I ´d ordered over the internet, took
nearly three weeks to arrive

15. -The books, WHICH* I ´d ordered over the internet, took
nearly three weeks to arrive

16. -My parents, __________ were born in north Wales, moved to
London to find work

17. -My parents, WHO* were born in north Wales, moved to London
to find work

18. -The employee to __________ you refer is no longer working here

19. -The employee to WHOM* you refer is no longer working here

20. -My neighbour, __________ son is studying in Germany, is quite
impolite

21. -My neighbour, WHOSE son is studying in Germany, is quite
impolite

22. SUBJECT OR OBJECT?
The woman who was talking to David suffered from heart problems
SUBJECT VERB
The woman who I was talking to suffered from heart problems
OBJECT SUBJECT VERB
When the Relative Pronoun is the object it can be left out:
The woman I was talking to suffered from heart problems