Mastering Relative Clauses: A Comprehensive Guide

Relative clauses are essential for adding detail and complexity to your sentences, allowing you to provide extra information about nouns and pronouns. They are a fundamental aspect of English grammar, enabling more precise and nuanced communication.

This comprehensive guide is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students, as well as teachers and anyone looking to improve their understanding of sentence structure. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid grasp of how to form and use relative clauses effectively.

This article will cover everything from the basic definition of relative clauses to their various types, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced applications. Through clear explanations, numerous examples, and practical exercises, you’ll gain the confidence to use relative clauses accurately and fluently in your writing and speaking.

Table of Contents

• Definition of Relative Clauses
• Structural Breakdown of Relative Clauses
• Types of Relative Clauses
  • Defining Relative Clauses (Restrictive)
  • Non-Defining Relative Clauses (Non-Restrictive)
  • Contact Relative Clauses
  • Relative Clauses with Prepositions
  • Relative Clauses with Quantifiers
• Examples of Relative Clauses
• Usage Rules for Relative Clauses
• Common Mistakes with Relative Clauses
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics in Relative Clauses
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of Relative Clauses

A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun. It provides additional information about the noun or pronoun, helping to identify it or add details about it. Relative clauses are typically introduced by relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that) or relative adverbs (where, when, why). They function as adjectives, providing descriptive information about the noun or pronoun they modify.

Relative clauses are essential for creating more complex and informative sentences. They allow you to combine two related ideas into a single sentence, making your writing more concise and engaging.

Without relative clauses, we would be limited to shorter, simpler sentences, which can make communication less effective.

Consider the following examples:

• The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting.
• The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
• The restaurant where we had dinner last night is excellent.

In each of these examples, the bolded part is the relative clause, which modifies the noun preceding it (book, woman, restaurant).

Structural Breakdown of Relative Clauses

The basic structure of a relative clause consists of a relative pronoun or adverb followed by a subject and a verb. However, the subject may be omitted in some cases, particularly when the relative pronoun is the object of the relative clause.

The relative pronoun or adverb connects the relative clause to the main clause. It refers back to the noun or pronoun that the relative clause modifies, known as the antecedent. The relative clause typically follows the antecedent immediately, but it can sometimes be separated from it by other words or phrases.

Here’s a breakdown of the structural elements:

1. Antecedent: The noun or pronoun that the relative clause modifies.
2. Relative Pronoun/Adverb: The word that introduces the relative clause (who, whom, which, that, where, when, why).
3. Subject: The person or thing that performs the action in the relative clause. (May be omitted)
4. Verb: The action or state of being in the relative clause.

For example, in the sentence “The car that he bought is red,” the antecedent is “car,” the relative pronoun is “that,” the subject is “he,” and the verb is “bought.”

Let’s look at another example: “The city where I grew up is very different now.” Here, the antecedent is “city,” the relative adverb is “where,” the subject is “I,” and the verb is “grew up.”

Types of Relative Clauses

Relative clauses can be classified into several types based on their function and the type of information they provide. The two main types are defining (restrictive) and non-defining (non-restrictive) relative clauses.

There are also contact relative clauses and relative clauses with prepositions or quantifiers.

Defining Relative Clauses (Restrictive)

Defining relative clauses (also known as restrictive relative clauses) are essential to the meaning of the sentence. They provide information that is necessary to identify the noun or pronoun they modify. If you remove a defining relative clause, the meaning of the sentence will be significantly changed or become unclear. Defining relative clauses are not set off by commas.

The relative pronouns who, whom, which, and that can be used in defining relative clauses. That is often preferred in informal English, especially when the relative pronoun is the object of the clause.

Examples:

• The book that I ordered online arrived today. (Which book? The one I ordered online.)
• The student who scored the highest on the test received a scholarship. (Which student? The one who scored the highest.)
• The house that Jack built is now for sale. (Which house? The one Jack built.)

Non-Defining Relative Clauses (Non-Restrictive)

Non-defining relative clauses (also known as non-restrictive relative clauses) provide additional, non-essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify. This information is interesting but not necessary to identify the noun or pronoun. If you remove a non-defining relative clause, the meaning of the sentence will remain essentially the same. Non-defining relative clauses are always set off by commas.

The relative pronouns who, whom, and which can be used in non-defining relative clauses, but that cannot be used. Also, who and which cannot be omitted, unlike in some defining relative clauses.

Examples:

• My sister, who lives in London, is a doctor. (The fact that she lives in London is extra information.)
• Paris, which is the capital of France, is a beautiful city. (The fact that it is the capital of France is extra information.)
• The Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1889, is a popular tourist attraction. (The building year is extra information.)

Contact Relative Clauses

A contact relative clause is a defining relative clause where the relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that) is omitted. This is possible when the relative pronoun is the object of the relative clause, but not when it is the subject.

Examples:

• The book I read was fascinating. (The book that I read…)
• The man she loves is a doctor. (The man whom she loves…)
• The movie we watched last night was terrible. (The movie that we watched…)

The use of contact relative clauses can make your writing more concise and natural, but it’s important to ensure that the meaning remains clear.

Relative Clauses with Prepositions

Relative clauses can also include prepositions. The preposition can either come before the relative pronoun (more formal) or at the end of the relative clause (more informal). When the preposition comes before the relative pronoun, only whom and which can be used.

Examples:

• The man to whom I spoke was very helpful. (Formal)
• The man who I spoke to was very helpful. (Informal)
• The house in which they live is very old. (Formal)
• The house which they live in is very old. (Informal)

In informal English, it is more common to place the preposition at the end of the relative clause. However, in formal writing, it is often preferred to place the preposition before the relative pronoun.

Relative Clauses with Quantifiers

Relative clauses can also be used with quantifiers such as all of, some of, none of, many of, most of, and each of. These quantifiers are followed by whom or which, depending on whether they refer to people or things.

Examples:

• I have many friends, some of whom are doctors.
• He wrote several books, none of which were successful.
• They invited many guests, most of whom are related to them.

These constructions allow you to provide more specific information about a subset of the antecedent.

Examples of Relative Clauses

Here are several tables showing multiple examples of each type of relative clause. Each table provides a range of sentences to illustrate different contexts and structures.

Defining Relative Clause Examples

The following table provides 30 examples of Defining Relative Clauses, where the clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Sentence	Antecedent	Relative Pronoun
The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.	book	that
The man who helped me yesterday is my neighbor.	man	who
The car which was parked outside has been towed.	car	which
The student that studies hard usually succeeds.	student	that
The movie that we watched last night was boring.	movie	that
The song which is playing on the radio is my favorite.	song	which
The woman who lives next door is a teacher.	woman	who
The computer that I bought last year is already outdated.	computer	that
The restaurant where we ate dinner last week is closed.	restaurant	where
The reason why I’m late is because of the traffic.	reason	why
The person who called me this morning didn’t leave a message.	person	who
The cake that she baked was delicious.	cake	that
The city where I was born is very crowded.	city	where
The time when I feel most relaxed is during my vacation.	time	when
The dog that barks all night belongs to my neighbor.	dog	that
The shoes which I bought online are too small.	shoes	which
The teacher who taught me English was very patient.	teacher	who
The phone that I lost had all my contacts.	phone	that
The store where I buy my groceries is always busy.	store	where
The day when I graduate will be a happy one.	day	when
The job that I applied for requires experience.	job	that
The man whom I saw at the party is a celebrity.	man	whom
The dress which she wore to the wedding was beautiful.	dress	which
The song that they played at the concert was amazing.	song	that
The project which we are working on is due next week.	project	which
The team that won the championship is celebrating.	team	that
The solution which he proposed was innovative.	solution	which
The idea that she suggested was brilliant.	idea	that
The problem that we faced was unexpected.	problem	that
The animal that roams free is the tiger.	animal	that

Non-Defining Relative Clause Examples

The following table provides 30 examples of Non-Defining Relative Clauses, where the clause adds extra information that is not essential to the sentence’s meaning.

Sentence	Antecedent	Relative Pronoun
My mother, who is a teacher, loves her job.	mother	who
Paris, which is the capital of France, is a beautiful city.	Paris	which
My car, which is very old, still runs well.	car	which
John, who is my best friend, is moving to Canada.	John	who
The Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1889, is a popular tourist attraction.	Eiffel Tower	which
My sister, who lives in London, is a doctor.	sister	who
The book, which I found at the library, is very interesting.	book	which
My dog, who loves to play fetch, is very energetic.	dog	who
Rome, which is known for its history, attracts many tourists.	Rome	which
My uncle, who is a pilot, travels the world.	uncle	who
The movie, which I saw last week, was amazing.	movie	which
My house, which is located near the park, is very convenient.	house	which
My teacher, who is very knowledgeable, is always helpful.	teacher	who
London, which is famous for its landmarks, is a popular destination.	London	which
My grandmother, who is 80 years old, is very active.	grandmother	who
The restaurant, which is located downtown, is highly recommended.	restaurant	which
My neighbor, who is a musician, plays the guitar beautifully.	neighbor	who
The painting, which was created by Van Gogh, is priceless.	painting	which
My cousin, who is a lawyer, is very successful.	cousin	who
The concert, which I attended last night, was fantastic.	concert	which
My apartment, which is on the top floor, has a great view.	apartment	which
My colleague, who is very experienced, is a great mentor.	colleague	who
The museum, which is open every day, is worth visiting.	museum	which
My friend, who is a writer, is publishing a book.	friend	who
The garden, which is full of flowers, is very beautiful.	garden	which
My boss, who is very supportive, is a great leader.	boss	who
The beach, which is nearby, is perfect for relaxation.	beach	which
My son, who is studying abroad, is having a great experience.	son	who
The park, which is located in the city center, is very popular.	park	which
My doctor, who is very caring, always listens to my concerns.	doctor	who

Contact Relative Clause Examples

The following table provides 30 examples of Contact Relative Clauses, where the relative pronoun is omitted.

Sentence	Complete Sentence (with Relative Pronoun)
The book I read was fascinating.	The book that I read was fascinating.
The man she loves is a doctor.	The man whom she loves is a doctor.
The movie we watched last night was terrible.	The movie that we watched last night was terrible.
The song they played at the party was catchy.	The song that they played at the party was catchy.
The car he drives is very expensive.	The car that he drives is very expensive.
The woman I met at the conference was very interesting.	The woman whom I met at the conference was very interesting.
The project we are working on is due next week.	The project that we are working on is due next week.
The food she cooked was delicious.	The food that she cooked was delicious.
The house they bought is very beautiful.	The house that they bought is very beautiful.
The teacher he admires is very knowledgeable.	The teacher whom he admires is very knowledgeable.
The game they are playing is very exciting.	The game that they are playing is very exciting.
The dress she is wearing is stunning.	The dress that she is wearing is stunning.
The course I’m taking is very challenging.	The course that I’m taking is very challenging.
The job he wants requires experience.	The job that he wants requires experience.
The person she trusts is her best friend.	The person whom she trusts is her best friend.
The plan they proposed sounds promising.	The plan that they proposed sounds promising.
The idea he suggested was brilliant.	The idea that he suggested was brilliant.
The solution she found was innovative.	The solution that she found was innovative.
The problem we faced was unexpected.	The problem that we faced was unexpected.
The animal she adopted is a rescue.	The animal that she adopted is a rescue.
The gift he received was thoughtful.	The gift that he received was thoughtful.
The letter they sent was heartfelt.	The letter that they sent was heartfelt.
The promise she made was unbreakable.	The promise that she made was unbreakable.
The journey they took was unforgettable.	The journey that they took was unforgettable.
The moment he cherished was precious.	The moment that he cherished was precious.
The dream she pursued was ambitious.	The dream that she pursued was ambitious.
The goal they achieved was remarkable.	The goal that they achieved was remarkable.
The challenge he overcame was significant.	The challenge that he overcame was significant.
The memory she treasured was beautiful.	The memory that she treasured was beautiful.
The lesson they learned was invaluable.	The lesson that they learned was invaluable.

Relative Clauses with Prepositions Examples

The following table provides 20 examples of Relative Clauses with Prepositions, illustrating both formal and informal structures.

Sentence (Formal)	Sentence (Informal)
The man to whom I spoke was very helpful.	The man who I spoke to was very helpful.
The house in which they live is very old.	The house which they live in is very old.
The topic about which we were talking is sensitive.	The topic which we were talking about is sensitive.
The project on which they worked was successful.	The project which they worked on was successful.
The chair on which I sat broke.	The chair which I sat on broke.
The company for which he works is multinational.	The company which he works for is multinational.
The problem with which we are dealing is complex.	The problem which we are dealing with is complex.
The book about which she wrote is a bestseller.	The book which she wrote about is a bestseller.
The tool with which he fixed the car was new.	The tool which he fixed the car with was new.
The person from whom I learned this is an expert.	The person who I learned this from is an expert.
The country to which they are traveling is beautiful.	The country which they are traveling to is beautiful.
The situation in which they found themselves was difficult.	The situation which they found themselves in was difficult.
The movie about which everyone is talking is a hit.	The movie which everyone is talking about is a hit.
The game in which they participated was intense.	The game which they participated in was intense.
The class for which I registered is full.	The class which I registered for is full.
The event at which they met was memorable.	The event which they met at was memorable.
The reason for which he left is unclear.	The reason which he left for is unclear.
The method by which they achieved success is admirable.	The method which they achieved success by is admirable.
The agreement under which they operate is confidential.	The agreement which they operate under is confidential.
The standard against which they are measured is high.	The standard which they are measured against is high.

Usage Rules for Relative Clauses

Using relative clauses correctly involves understanding several key rules:

1. Choose the correct relative pronoun or adverb: Who is used for people, which is used for things, that can be used for both people and things (in defining clauses), whom is used for people when they are the object of the verb in the relative clause, where is used for places, when is used for times, and why is used for reasons.
2. Use commas correctly: Non-defining relative clauses are always set off by commas, while defining relative clauses are not.
3. Avoid unnecessary relative pronouns: In defining relative clauses, the relative pronoun can be omitted if it is the object of the verb in the relative clause.
4. Place prepositions correctly: In formal English, prepositions usually come before the relative pronoun. In informal English, they usually come at the end of the relative clause.
5. Use correct verb agreement: The verb in the relative clause must agree in number with the antecedent.

It’s also important to consider the context and style of your writing when using relative clauses. In formal writing, it’s generally preferred to use more complex and complete relative clauses, while in informal writing, it’s acceptable to use simpler and more concise constructions.

Common Mistakes with Relative Clauses

Here are some common mistakes that learners make when using relative clauses:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
The man whom is my father.	The man who is my father.	Who should be used when it is the subject of the verb.
The book, that I read, was good.	The book that I read was good.	That cannot be used in non-defining relative clauses.
The city which I live, is beautiful.	The city where I live is beautiful.	Where should be used for places.
The reason why I am late, is traffic.	The reason why I am late is traffic.	No comma needed after defining relative clauses.
The car whom I bought is red.	The car that I bought is red.	Whom is used for people; use that or which for things.
My sister that lives in London is a doctor.	My sister, who lives in London, is a doctor.	This is non-defining, so use who and commas.
The book which I told you about it is interesting.	The book which I told you about is interesting.	Do not repeat the object of the preposition.
The woman who’s car was stolen reported it.	The woman whose car was stolen reported it.	Use whose to show possession.

By being aware of these common mistakes, you can avoid them and use relative clauses more accurately.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of relative clauses with these practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on different aspects of relative clause usage.

Exercise 1: Identifying Relative Clauses

Instructions: Identify the relative clause in each sentence and state whether it is defining or non-defining.

Question	Answer
1. The house that Jack built is now for sale.	that Jack built (defining)
2. My brother, who lives in New York, is a lawyer.	who lives in New York (non-defining)
3. The book which I borrowed from the library is overdue.	which I borrowed from the library (defining)
4. The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is a famous landmark.	which is in Paris (non-defining)
5. The man who helped me with my luggage was very kind.	who helped me with my luggage (defining)
6. The movie that we watched last night was terrible.	that we watched last night (defining)
7. My aunt, who is a talented artist, is exhibiting her work.	who is a talented artist (non-defining)
8. The car which I bought last year has already broken down.	which I bought last year (defining)
9. London, which is the capital of England, is a vibrant city.	which is the capital of England (non-defining)
10. The teacher who inspired me the most was Mr. Smith.	who inspired me the most (defining)

Exercise 2: Choosing the Correct Relative Pronoun

Instructions: Fill in the blank with the correct relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that, where, when, why).

Question	Answer
1. The woman ______ I met at the party is a doctor.	whom
2. The book ______ is on the table is mine.	which/that
3. The restaurant ______ we had dinner last night is excellent.	where
4. The reason ______ I am late is because of the traffic.	why
5. The person ______ called me didn’t leave a message.	who
6. The house ______ they bought is very beautiful.	that/which
7. The teacher ______ I admire the most is my mentor.	whom
8. The time ______ I feel most relaxed is during my vacation.	when
9. The student ______ studies hard usually succeeds.	who
10. The movie ______ we watched was very interesting.	that/which

Exercise 3: Combining Sentences with Relative Clauses

Instructions: Combine the two sentences into one using a relative clause.

Question	Answer
1. The man is my neighbor. He helped me yesterday.	The man who helped me yesterday is my neighbor.
2. The car was parked outside. It has been towed.	The car that was parked outside has been towed.
3. My sister lives in London. She is a doctor.	My sister, who lives in London, is a doctor.
4. The book is on the table. I borrowed it from you.	The book that I borrowed from you is on the table.
5. Paris is the capital of France. It is a beautiful city.	Paris, which is the capital of France, is a beautiful city.
6. The cake was delicious. She baked it.	The cake that she baked was delicious.
7. The city is very crowded. I was born there.	The city where I was born is very crowded.
8. The job requires experience. I applied for it.	The job that I applied for requires experience.
9. The song is my favorite. It is playing on the radio.	The song that is playing on the radio is my favorite.
10. The phone had all my contacts. I lost it.	The phone that I lost had all my contacts.

Advanced Topics in Relative Clauses

For advanced learners, here are some more complex aspects of relative clauses:

• Reduced Relative Clauses: These are relative clauses that have been shortened, often by omitting the relative pronoun and auxiliary verb. For example, “The book written by Hemingway is a classic” (reduced from “The book that was written by Hemingway…”).
• Relative Clauses with “Whose”: “Whose” is a relative pronoun used to show possession. For example, “The man whose car was stolen reported it to the police.”
• Cleft Sentences with Relative Clauses: Cleft sentences use relative clauses to emphasize a particular part of the sentence. For example, “It was John who won the race.”
• Nominal Relative Clauses (Free Relative Clauses): These clauses function as nouns themselves and are introduced by “what,” “whoever,” “whichever,” etc. For example, “What she said was surprising.”

Understanding these advanced topics can help you use relative clauses with even greater precision and sophistication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Relative clauses are a powerful tool for adding detail and complexity to your writing and speaking. By understanding the different types of relative clauses, their usage rules, and common mistakes to avoid, you can improve your English language skills and communicate more effectively.

Practice using relative clauses in your own writing and speaking to solidify your understanding and develop fluency.

Remember to choose the correct relative pronoun or adverb, use commas correctly, and pay attention to verb agreement. With practice, you’ll be able to use relative clauses confidently and accurately, enhancing the clarity and sophistication of your language.