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Relative clauses
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Relative clauses: defining
When we want to describe what a person, place, or thing does, we use relative clauses. Relative clauses used in this way, function as linking. These relative clauses (which/that, where, when, who or whose) links two simpler sentences together making a better more sophisticated sentence. These kinds of relative clauses are called ‘defining relative clauses'
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Item being described |
Example |
Explanation |
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A thing
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It's the pen which/that I use to write with |
We are using a relative clause to explain the function of the pen. |
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A place |
It's the place where I always go |
We are clearly describing a place that the speaker always goes to. |
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A time |
It's the time when I was really happy |
The time when the speaker was very happy is being clearly defined with the relative clause. |
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A person |
He is the man who cleans my car |
The relative clause is used here to describe what the man does. |
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Possessions (something which belongs to something or someone) |
This is the man whose dog you saw |
Here the relative clause is used to describe the possession of the man, in this case a dog |
Warning!
It is possible to use that instead of who or which
- She is the woman who/that teaches me how to play the piano
It is also possible to remove the relative clause who, which or that when these words are not the subject of a sentence:
She's the girl who my mum spoke to yesterday = She's the girl my Mum spoke to yesterday
Relative clauses: Non-defining
Relative clauses can also be used to combine one sentence ‘inside' another. Speakers of English do this to add some extra information within a written sentence (although this can be done in speaking as well) to save time and to make a text more fluent so that it can be read more smoothly. These kinds of relative clauses are described as ‘non-defining'. The use of two commas (, ,) is important as it indicates the ‘extra' information found inside a sentence.
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Sentences without relative clauses- basic |
Non-defining relative clauses used to join sentences- more complex |
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It's the country I live in. The country is called Scotland
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It's the country, which is called Scotland, I live in |
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The garage is closed. You can get a good deal at this garage |
The garage, where you can get a good deal, is closed |
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The morning classes are the most difficult to teach. In these classes I'm really tired |
The morning classes, when I'm really tired, are the most difficult to teach |
| George Orwell was one of Britain's greatest writers. He wasn't born in the UK
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George Orwell, who wasn't born in the UK, was one Britain's finest writers |
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The president announced the new plan. The president's children were away. |
The president, whose children were away, announced the new plan |
In non-defining relative clauses, that cannot be used:
The shop, which is open at the weekends, has changed its prices recently
NOT
The shop, that is open at the weekends, has changed its prices recently
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