B1 - Relative clauses

Relative clauses

What are they and how do we use them?

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Let's listen to a recording about Relative Clauses to find out more about how to use them in the English language.

Recording

Relative clauses are a feature of the English language that native speakers frequently use to condense more information into shorter sentences.They essentially allow us to say more with fewer words, thereby packing more information into our language. This is therefore considered a sign of a higher level English user.

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QUESTION TIME

What are relative clauses?

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How many types of relative clauses are there?

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What kind of information do defining clauses give us? Can you give an example of a sentence with defining relative clause?

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What kind of information do non-defining clauses give us? Can you give an example of a sentence with non-defining relative clause?

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What part of speech do defining relative clauses usually start with?

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Which relative pronouns can you remember and what are they used for?

The child whose bicycle I repaired gave me a hug to thank me.

QUESTION TIME

Is “whose bicycle I repaired” a defining or non-defining clause? Please explain your answer.

I’ve read the book that my friend lent me.

QUESTION TIME

Is “that my friend lent me” a defining or non-defining relative clause. Please explain your answer.

QUESTION TIME

Can you leave out the pronoun to start a non-defining clause?

The house, which was built in 1883, has just been opened to the public.

QUESTION TIME

What is the relative clause in this sentence? Is it defining or non-defining clause? Please explain your answer.

The award was given to Sara, whose short story impressed the judges.

QUESTION TIME

What is the relative clause in this sentence? Is it defining or non-defining clause? Please explain your answer.

QUESTION TIME

How do we use commas in defining and non-defining relative clauses?

REVISE AND LEARN

We use defining relative clauses, also known as identifying relative clauses, in English to provide essential information about someone or something. They make our writing more interesting and precise, allowing others to understand better what we are referring to.

REVISE AND LEARN

The boy who lived.The relative pronoun who is used to introduce the defining clause.Note: Relative pronouns can define the subject or the object of the verb.

REVISE AND LEARN

- They're the people which are interested in doing business with us.Here, the relative pronoun which defines the subject.- They're the people that I've met during this internship.Here, the relative pronoun that defines the object.Note: When the relative pronoun is the object of the verb, we can often leave it out.

REVISE AND LEARN

They're people I've met during this internship.Here, we left out the relative pronoun that as it defines the object.Rule 2: We often use that instead of who, whom, or which in informal and spoken English.

REVISE AND LEARN

We use non-defining relative clauses to provide extra information about someone or something. This is not necessary information, meaning that we don't need it to understand who or what is being referred to.

REVISE AND LEARN

Cindy, who I work with, invited us to the party tomorrow.This is a non-defining relative clause, as providing someone's name is usually enough to identify a person.Rule 1: We always use a relative pronoun (who, which, whose, or whom) to introduce a non-defining relative clause.

REVISE AND LEARN

At our weekly meeting, which is held every Tuesday, we discussed the launch of a new project.We use a non-defining relative clause (which is held every Tuesday) to provide extra information which doesn't affect the main idea of the sentence.Rule 2: In contrast to defining relative clauses, we don’t use that to introduce a non-defining relative clause.

REVISE AND LEARN

Mary, that we met at the party, was the only nice person there. INCORRECTMary, who we met at the party, was the only nice person there. CORRECTNote: In writing, we use commas around non-defining relative clauses. In speaking, we often pause at the beginning and end of the clause.

TIME TO PRACTICE

Choose the right relative pronoun to introduce the defining clause. Did you see the car ___ is parked on the hill? whichwhowhose

TIME TO PRACTICE

Choose the right relative pronoun to introduce the defining clause. Yesterday, I met a girl ___ father works as an archaeologist. whowhosewhom

TIME TO PRACTICE

Choose the right relative pronoun to introduce the defining clause. What was the name of the guy ___ we met last night? thatwhichboth options are correct

TIME TO PRACTICE

Choose the right relative pronoun to introduce the defining clause. The pizza ___ I ordered last night was delicious. that-both options are correct

TIME TO PRACTICE

Choose the right relative pronoun to introduce a non-defining relative clause. Yesterday I met Lucy, ___ mother lives in Bristol. whowhosewhom

TIME TO PRACTICE

Choose the right relative pronoun to introduce a non-defining relative clause. The festival, ___ lasted all day, ended with an afterparty. whothatwhich

TIME TO PRACTICE

Choose the right relative pronoun to introduce a non-defining relative clause. His car, ___ was very old, broke down on the highway. whichthatboth options are correct

TIME TO PRACTICE

Choose the right relative pronoun to introduce a non-defining relative clause. My grandmother, ___ is dead now, saw Jimi Hendrix live at the Woodstock festival. whowhosewhom

Thank you!