Defining relative clauses

Defining relative clauses

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Index

Video

Introduction

Practice

Uses

Introduction

We use defining relative clauses to define a noun. A relative clause explains what kind of thing, or which particular thing, we are talking about. The film is about an android. X (not specific enough - you don't know which film) The film that is on TV tonight is about an android. (more specific - you know which film I'm talking about) A vet is a doctor. X (not enough information for a clear definition) A vet is a doctor that looks after animals. (more specific - you know what kind of doctor) To add a defining relative clause after a noun, we use a relative pronoun (e.g., who, which, that) or a relative adverb (e.g., where).

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relative pronous uses

Use who or that when the noun is a person: It's about a man who / that travels through time. Use which or that when the noun is a thing: There's an art gallery which / that stays open 24 hours a day. Use where when the noun is a place: The Matrix is about a world where computers control everything. Who, which, where and that replace other words in the clause: It's about a person he who travels through time. There's an art gallery it that stays open 24 hours a day. The Matrix is about a world where computers control everything there.

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Video

Index

Practice

Index