Relative clauses are dependent clauses that modify nouns or pronouns. They are introduced by a relative pronoun such as who, whom, whose, which, or that. Relative pronouns refer back to the noun or pronoun they modify. Relative clauses can replace or combine two sentences into one. Pronouns can sometimes be omitted in relative clauses, but not when the pronoun is the subject of the clause. Relative clauses add essential information about the noun they modify.

1. Relative Clauses
I loved the movie.
Which movie?

2. I loved the movie
that we saw last night.
Relative clauses, also called adjective clauses,
modify nouns.
movie
that we saw
last night
2

3. who taught me to read
which is on the counter
that I told you about
whose car broke down
about whom* I told you
Relative clauses usually begin with a relative
pronoun (who, whom, which, that, whose).
3
*whom is not often used in casual conversation

4. That we saw last night.
Relative clauses are dependent clauses.
They are not complete sentences.
4

5. Relative clauses must be connected to
an independent clause.
I loved the movie
that we saw last night.
5

6. Ms. Jones is the teacher.
Sentences with relative clauses can be thought
of as a combination of two sentences.
She taught me to read.
+
=
Ms. Jones is the teacher who taught me to read.
6

7. The cup is on the counter.
Sentences with relative clauses can be thought
of as a combination of two sentences.
It is mine.
+
=
The cup that is on the counter is mine.
7

8. Jack is a nice kid.
Sentences with relative clauses can be thought
of as a combination of two sentences.
Jack lives next door.
+
=
Jack is a nice kid that lives next door.
8

9. He is a man.
Sentences with relative clauses can be thought
of as a combination of two sentences.
His car broke down.
+
=
He is the man whose car broke down.
9

10. Ms. Jones is the teacher who taught me to read.
10
The relative pronoun and the modified
noun refer to the same thing.

11. Ms. Jones is the teacher who taught me to read.
The cup which is on the counter is mine.
11
The relative pronoun and the modified
noun refer to the same thing.

12. Ms. Jones is the teacher who taught me to read.
The cup which is on the counter is mine.
Jack is a nice kid that lives next door.
12
The relative pronoun and the modified
noun refer to the same thing.

13. Who/whose can be used for people.
Which can be used for things.
That can be used for people or things.
Ms. Jones is the teacher who taught me to read.
He is the man whose car broke down.
The cup which is on the counter is mine.
The cup that is on the counter is mine.
Jack is a nice kid that lives next door.
13

14. Pronouns can be omitted in some relative clauses.
This is often done in casual conversations.
I love the play that we saw today.
I love the play we saw today.
The person who I met is named Justin.
I person I met is named Justin.
This is the house which I told you about.
This is the house I told you about.
14

15. Pronouns cannot be omitted in relative clauses
when the pronoun is being used as the subject
of the clause.
I thanked the person who helped me.
I thanked the person helped me.
subject of the relative clause
15

16. I saw the person who won the lottery.
I saw the person won the lottery.
subject of the relative clause
16
Pronouns cannot be omitted in relative clauses
when the pronoun is being used as the subject
of the clause.

17. The dog that we got yesterday is friendly.
Click on the correct sentences.
The basketball player which I met is tall.
The house which we bought is small.
incorrect
correct
correct
The basketball player who I met is tall. correct
17
Relative Clauses
Who/whose can be used for people.
Which can be used for things.
That can be used for people or things.
The basketball player that I met is tall. correct
The basketball player I met is tall. correct

18. The dog that we found is friendly.
Click on the correct sentences.
The boy who I saw him was on a bike.
The new girl in my class is Greek.
incorrect
correct
correct
The boy who/that I saw was on a bike.
The boy I saw was on a bike.
correct
18
Relative Clauses
correct

19. The car _____ we bought was expensive.
19
Click on the best pronoun to complete the sentence.
who is the one
incorrect
correct
The car that we bought was expensive.
that
Who/whose can be used for people.
Which can be used for things.
That can be used for people or things.
Relative Clauses
incorrect

20. The man _____ sold us the car was helpful.
20
Click on the best pronoun to complete the sentence.
who is the one
The man who sold us the car was helpful.
which
Relative Clauses
incorrect correct incorrect
Who/whose can be used for people.
Which can be used for things.
That can be used for people or things.

21. 21
The End
Created by Laurette Poulos Simmons
Relative Clauses