Relative Clauses: Examples & Exercises

Relative clauses, which provide additional information about a noun in a sentence, are essential for making sentences more detailed and precise. These clauses are introduced by relative pronouns like who, whom, whose, which, that, or even where, when, why, what in certain cases. Moreover, these are also question words, or interrogative determiners, click here. Relative clauses can be defining or non-defining, depending on whether the information they provide is essential to the meaning of the sentence. Check the infographic below.

Relative Pronouns and others – Use and examples

The following table has true relative pronouns

This next table show other relatives

Defining Relative Clauses

Defining relative clauses, which provide essential information about a noun, are necessary for the sentence to make sense. These clauses answer specific questions and help identify exactly which person, thing, place, time, or reason is being referred to.

Examples:

• The artist who painted this mural is famous.
  • The clause “who painted this mural” defines which artist is being discussed.
• The town where we stayed was small.
  • The clause “where we stayed” identifies the town.
• I remember the time when I got my first job.
  • The clause “when I got my first job” specifies the time being referred to.
• The reason why she left is clear.
  • The clause “why she left” explains the reason.

Key points about defining clauses:

1. No commas are used, which makes these clauses part of the core meaning.
2. That can replace who, whom, or which in informal contexts.

Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Non-defining relative clauses, which add extra, non-essential information, provide additional details that are not necessary for understanding the main point of the sentence. These clauses, which are always set off by commas, are optional.

Examples:

• My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting.
  • The clause “who lives in New York” gives extra information about my brother.
• The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is a popular tourist attraction.
  • The clause “which is in Paris” is additional detail.
• My birthday, when we always have a party, is in July.
  • The clause “when we always have a party” adds extra information.
• The library, where I used to study, has been renovated.
  • The clause “where I used to study” provides non-essential detail.

Key points about non-defining clauses:

1. Commas are used, which visually separate the extra information.
2. That cannot replace who or which in non-defining clauses.

Special Case: Free Relative Clauses with “What”

The word what introduces a unique kind of relative clause that doesn’t refer to a specific noun in the sentence but rather means “the thing(s) that.”

Examples:

• What he said surprised me.
  • The clause “What he said” means “the thing he said” and acts as the subject.
• I don’t know what she wants.
  • The clause “what she wants” functions as the object of the sentence.

Comparison Table – Defining vs. Non-defining

When Can We Omit the Relative Pronoun?

We can omit the relative pronoun only when:

The relative clause is defining
The relative pronoun is the object of the clause

Try to say the clause without the relative pronoun. If it sounds natural and there’s still a subject in the clause, it works!

Examples – You Can Omit

Examples – You Cannot Omit

Exercises on Relative Clauses

That-Who: PerfectEnglish |

Who-Which: Ego4u |

Who-Which-Whose: Ego4u |

That-Who-Which-Where: TestEnglish

Who-Which-Where-Whose-When: Ego4u |

Who-Which-Where-Whose-When-Why: Ego4u |

Who-Which-Where-Whose-Whom: EAnglais |

All Relative Clauses: ThoughtCo |