/Relative Clauses
B1Relative Clauses

Relative Clauses (overview)

1

What is it?

A relative clause is a part of a sentence that gives more information about a noun. It begins with a relative pronoun (who, which, that, whose, whom) or a relative adverb (where, when, why). There are two types: defining relative clauses (no commas — essential information) and non-defining relative clauses (with commas — extra, non-essential information).

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
Defining (no commas)The woman who called was my sister.The book that I didn't like was very long.Is this the café where they met?
Non-defining (with commas)My sister, who lives in Paris, is a doctor.The film, which I hadn't seen before, was excellent.
Who — peopleI know the man who wrote this book.The teacher who didn't come was ill.Who is the person who phoned?
Which — thingsThe car which he bought was expensive.The report which I didn't read was important.
That — people/things (defining only)This is the bag that I lost.It was a mistake that I regret.
  • • Defining clauses identify which person or thing. Without them, the sentence loses meaning. No commas.
  • • Non-defining clauses add extra info. Remove them and the sentence still makes sense. Use commas.
  • • "That" can replace "who/which" in defining clauses, but NOT in non-defining clauses.
  • • "Who" is used for people. "Which" is used for things/animals. "That" can replace both in defining clauses.
  • • "Whose" shows possession: "The student whose work was best got a prize."
  • • "Where" replaces "in which / at which" for places. "When" for times. "Why" for reasons.
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    Who — people in defining clauses

    She is the woman who sold me this jacket.

  2. 2

    Which — things in defining and non-defining clauses

    The film, which was made in 2010, is still popular.

  3. 3

    That — people or things in defining clauses only

    That's the house that Jack built.

  4. 4

    Whose — possession

    The boy whose dog ran away was crying.

  5. 5

    Where — places

    This is the hotel where we stayed.

4

Common mistakes

My brother, that is a doctor, lives in Berlin.

My brother, who is a doctor, lives in Berlin.

"That" cannot be used in non-defining relative clauses. Use "who" for people.

The house which I live is very old.

The house where I live is very old. / The house that I live in is very old.

"Where" replaces "in which" for places. If using "which/that", include the preposition: "live in".

She is the woman which helped me.

She is the woman who helped me.

"Who" is used for people, not "which".

5

Quick reference

  • Defining: no commas, essential information, "that" allowed.
  • Non-defining: commas, extra information, "that" NOT allowed.
  • "Who" = people. "Which" = things. "That" = both (defining only).
  • "Whose" = possession. "Where" = places. "When" = times.
  • Non-defining clauses can be removed without changing core meaning.
  • In non-defining clauses, always use "who" (people) or "which" (things).
6

Natural conversation example

Two students discuss a film they watched.

D

Dan

Have you seen that new film which everyone is talking about?
S

Sue

You mean the one that came out last week? Yes! I loved it.
D

Dan

The director, who also made that thriller last year, is amazing.
S

Sue

And the actress who played the lead — she was incredible.
D

Dan

It was filmed in Prague, where I went on holiday last summer.
S

Sue

Really? The city where the whole third act takes place?
D

Dan

Exactly. The building whose roof collapses — that's a real place!
S

Sue

The scene that shocked me most was the ending. I didn't see it coming.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blank with who, which, that, whose, or where.

  1. 1.
    The man __ called yesterday was my uncle.
  2. 2.
    This is the book __ I was telling you about.
  3. 3.
    She lives in a city __ there is no public transport.
  4. 4.
    I know someone __ brother works at NASA.
  5. 5.
    The film __ we watched last night was brilliant.
  6. 6.
    That's the restaurant __ we had our first date.
  7. 7.
    The student __ essay won the prize is in my class.
  8. 8.
    She is the teacher __ changed my life.
  9. 9.
    Is this the app __ you recommended?
  10. 10.
    My grandmother, __ is 90 years old, still goes for walks every day.
All TopicsRelative Pronouns

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