Relative Clauses

Reference

Common mistakes

1. The book which I bought it was expensive. → The book which I bought was expensive.
   don't repeat the pronoun (it)
2. He's late, that is annoying. → He's late, which is annoying.
   referring to whole clause → which, not that
3. The man who I spoke with him is my neighbour. → The man I spoke with / The man with whom I spoke is my neighbour.
   don't repeat "him"; choose informal end-prep or formal whom
4. She has two cars, both them are red. → She has two cars, both of which are red.
   quantifier + of + which/whom

Relative Clauses — Exercises

Choose the relative structure

Circle the correct answer.

1. The girl _____ next to Ana is my cousin. (sitting / sat / who sitting)
2. The bridge _____ in 1890 is still in use. (built / building / which built)
3. He missed the bus, _____ made him late. (which / that / what)
4. She has two brothers, both of _____ are doctors. (whom / who / them)
5. The person _____ I spoke was very helpful. (to whom / to who / whom to)
6. The film _____ we watched last night was great. (— / what / who)
7. That's the town _____ I grew up. (where / which / that)
8. I bought three books, none of _____ I have read yet. (which / them / that)

Complete the sentence

Write the missing word or words.

1. The man   (stand) at the door is my uncle.
2. The photos   (take) on holiday are on my phone.
3. She passed all her exams,   surprised everyone.
4. I have lots of friends, most of   live nearby.
5. The house in   they live is very old.
6. That's the boy   dog bit me.

Relative Clauses — Answer Key

Choose the relative structure

1. sitting — Reduced active clause (= who is sitting) → sitting.
2. built — Reduced passive clause (= which was built) → built.
3. which — Comment on the whole clause → comma + which. Never that.
4. whom — After a preposition (of) → whom.
5. to whom — Formal: preposition + whom.
6. — — Object relative pronoun can be left out → no word.
7. where — Place + subject + verb → where.
8. which — none of + which (things).

Complete the sentence

1. standing
2. taken
3. which
4. whom
5. which
6. whose