Relative Clauses is a grammatical structure that can be used to make your language look and sound better by joining two clauses together. Generally, by saying things in a shorter way, your language will be more natural and sophisticated.
Do you remember what a clause is?
CLAUSE = SUBJECT + VERB (+ OBJECT)
For example:
Basically, we are going to join a SUBJECT + VERB to another SUBJECT + VERB. The first clause is called the MAIN CLAUSE, and the second clause is called the RELATIVE CLAUSE.
We use a relative pronoun to join the two clauses together. The relative pronoun you use depends on what you are talking about. They include:
that - to talk about people or things
which - to talk about things
who - to talk about people
when - to talk about time
where - to talk about place or location
whose - to talk about possession
There are two types of relative clauses in English, and we will explore both of them in detail below. The first type is:
Defining Relative Clauses
A defining relative clause helps to identify or define exactly who or what we are talking about. See the following example:
(Imagine there are 3 girls and 3 boys in a room)
Could you tell the boy to go outside?
This sentence is problematic and incorrect. How do you feel when you hear this question? Given the context of 3 boys and 3 girls, you should think to yourself "Which boy?". More information is necessary to identify or define which boy should go outside. To do this, a defining relative clause is needed.
Could you tell the boy who is wearing the blue hat to go outside?
The underlined section here is called a defining relative clause, and it's purpose here is to help the listener know exactly which person or thing the speaker is talking about. Without this information, the initial (or main clause) is incomplete and wouldn't make sense.
Here are some examples using the different relative pronouns, with and without the defining relative clause.
I saw a movie. (Which movie?) The movie starred Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg. > I saw a movie which starred Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg.
Look at the girl. (Which girl?) The girl is wearing pink shoes. > Look at the girl who is wearing pink shoes.
Thanksgiving is a day. (Which day?) We eat turkey and say thanks for all the good things in life on this day. > Thanksgiving is a day when we eat turkey and say thanks for all the good things in life.
This is the salon. (Which salon?) I get my hair cut here once a month. > This is the salon where I get my hair cut once a month.
This is a company. (So?) The employees here receive many benefits. > This is a company whose employees receive many benefits.
There are a few rules to keep in mind when using defining relative clauses.
You may use that instead of which or who.
This is the car which I bought yesterday. This is the car that I bought yesterday.
You cannot use a comma before the relative pronoun. (see all the examples above)
In some cases, you can remove the relative pronoun.
This is the car which I bought yesterday. This is the car I bought yesterday.
However, you cannot remove it in this sentence:
This is the car which runs on petrol and electricity. (correct) This is the car runs on petrol and electricity. (incorrect)
An easy way to remember when you can or cannot remove the relative pronoun is:
If a noun or pronoun follows the relative pronoun, you can remove it.
If a verb follows the relative pronoun, you cannot remove it.
Native speakers do this quite regularly and subconsciously, so it's a good idea to try and incorporate this point into your language.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses
This second type of relative clause adds information about somebody or something in the main clause. The non-defining relative clause is NOT necessary for the main clause to make sense (unlike in a defining relative clause, where it is necessary). This extra information is optional, but still common because in reality, we like to have more information about somebody or something, rather than less information.
The film Titanic was directed by James Cameron. Titanic won several Academy Awards. > The film Titanic, which won several Academy Awards, was directed by James Cameron.
While the first example makes sense and is easy to understand, it is not very sophisticated nor natural. Firstly, it is longer than the second example, and secondly, there is repetition of language (e.g. Titanic). The second sentence contains the non-defining relative clause (underlined), and is placed immediately after the thing or person we are referring to; in this case, the film Titanic. This is a very easy and efficient way to make your language better in all contexts.
Let's see some further examples.
The film Titanic was directed by James Cameron. James Cameron also directed The Terminator and Aliens. > The film Titanic was directed by James Cameron, who also directed The Terminator and Aliens.
James David Lee has produced several award-winning works. James David Lee has an unrivalled work ethic. > James David Lee, whose work ethic is unrivaled, has produced several award-winning works.
The supporting actor of Abracadabra changed in 2012. Abracadabra was also released in 2012. > The supporting actor of Abracadabra changed in 2012, when it was also released in cinemas.
Alpha Studios is a great school. I have been studying there since 2012. > Alpha Studios, where I have been studying since 2012, is a great school.
I'd like to point out two things with non-defining relative clauses. Firstly, the clause can be placed mid-sentence (as in the second example above) because the non-defining relative clause should be placed immediately after the thing (in this case James David Lee) it is describing. In these cases (the 2nd and 4th example above), we use two commas, one at the beginning and one at the end. If the clause takes place at the end of the sentence, then only the first comma is necessary.
Secondly, the last two sentences are a little awkward. Whilst grammatically correct, most people tend to use 'which is when' or 'which is where' instead of when or where.
Alpha Studios, which is where I've been studying since 2012, is a great school.
There are a few rules to keep in mind when using non-defining relative clauses.
You cannot use that
I saw The Terminator yesterday, which is a great movie. (correct) I saw The Terminator yesterday, that is a great movie. (incorrect)
You must use a comma before the relative pronoun. (and after the non-defining relative clause if it's mid-sentence)
You cannot remove the relative pronoun
e.g. This car, which I bought yesterday, was really expensive. (correct) e.g. This car, I bought yesterday, was really expensive. (incorrect)
FINAL POINTS
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when approaching and using this grammatical structure:
1. The relative clause (both types) should be placed immediately after the thing or person you are referring to.
2. Remember what follows each relative pronoun
Who, which and that can be followed by either a verb or a subject (a noun or pronoun).
This is the man which I saw yesterday.
This is the man who gave me the newspaper.
Where, when and whose must be followed by a subject (a noun or pronoun)
This is where I went to school.
Christmas is when people give each other gifts.
3. Pay attention to the comma.
Make sure you pay attention to the comma rules. It makes a big difference if you place or forget the comma before the relative clause.
For example. What is the difference between these two sentences?
A: My brother who lives in Los Angeles is an architect.
B: My brother, who lives in Los Angeles, is an architect.
A is a defining relative clause. In this sentence, the speaker has more than one brother. We use the defining relative clause to identify which brother the speaker is talking about.
B is a non-defining relative clause. Here, the speaker has only one brother. We use the non-defining relative clause to give extra, optional information about the (one) brother.
4. Sometimes WHERE and WHEN do not work
In some cases, WHERE and WHEN cannot be used, even if you are talking about places or time.
For example:
This sentence is incorrect. Even though we are talking about a place (school), this sentence cannot be formed.
The problem with this sentence (and related sentences: see WHEN below) is that WHERE represents an adverbial of place (a phrase that tells us where something happens) in a standard (no relative clause) sentence. For example:
In the second clause, THERE is the adverbial of place. When we join the two clauses together. THERE becomes WHERE.
To make the first example correct, we need to replace WHERE with WHICH or THAT (only WHICH with non-defining relative clauses). WHICH and THAT typically represent the SUBJECT or OBJECT of the relative clause (also the NOUN in the main clause). Remember that WHERE only represents an adverbial of place (i.e. there, at the school).
Similarly, we get the same thing with the following sentence.
In this example, AT (short for AT THE SCHOOL) is an adverbial of place and still exists in the relative clause. We cannot use WHERE because it has NOT replaced the adverbial, so we need to use WHICH or THAT.
This concept is the same with WHEN for time. The relative pronoun WHEN replaces the adverbial of time (i.e. then, in Summer, at 5:00pm etc.) in the separated second clause.
Let's practice!
A. Insert an appropriate relative pronoun into each gap.
The island of Aldwich, ________ is located 97km from the mainland, is famous for its sheep and cows.
The man ________ was wearing the dark brown jacket was mistaken for a famous celebrity.
Many people ________ livelihood depend on farming are beginning to feel the effects of climate change.
1974, ________ many actors lost their jobs, was a difficult year for the film industry.
Deliver the box ________ I gave you yesterday to the man in the corner.
My sister, ________ married an Argentinian, lives in Paris.
What if it rains on the Monday ________ you graduate?
I can't believe this phone, ________ is supposed to be waterproof, is already broken.
ANSWERS:
which
who
whose
when
which
who
when
which
B. Using the sentences in A (with the correct answers), which sentences can you use that instead of the indicated relative pronoun?
C. Using the sentences in A (with the correct answers), which sentence(s) can you remove the relative pronoun and still maintain a correct sentence?
ANSWERS:
B. Sentences 2 and 5
C. Sentence 5
D. Combine the following sentences using a relative clause to form one sentence.
Leonardo da Vinci was a famous Italian artist. He was born in 1452. > Leonardo da Vinci, who was born in 1452, was a famous Italian artist.
Australia is home to a large number of actors. They are very famous all over the world.
At the supermarket I bought some apples, pears and oranges. The oranges cost more than the other two combined.
Climate change is a growing problem. Climate change affects people all over the world.
Canada is a great place to live. The capital of Canada is Ottawa.
Valentine's Day takes place on different days depending on your culture. People give their partners gifts on this day.
My flight arrives on Friday. Friday happens to be our anniversary.
Learning a second language is by no means an easy feat. It took me several years to learn it.
Alaska is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Temperatures can reach well below zero in winter.
ANSWERS:
Australia is home to a large number of actors who are very famous all over the world.
At the supermarket I bought some apples, pears and oranges, which cost more than the other two combined.
Climate change, which affects people all over the world, is a growing problem.
Canada, whose capital is Ottawa, is a great place to live.
Valentine's Day, when people give their partner's gifts, takes place on different days depending on your culture.
My flight arrives on Friday, which happens to be our anniversary.
Learning a second language, which took me several years to do, is by no means as easy feat.
Alaska, where temperatures can reach well below zero in winter, is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.
😍
thank you so much, that was so helpful for me :)