Relative clause

Relative clause helps define or give us extra/ additional information about things or people we’re talking about.

Relative clause starts with relative pronouns (who, which, that, whose, whom) or relative adverbs (where, when, why).

Relative pronouns/ adverbs	Meanings
who	Refer to people
which	Refer to things or animals
that	Refer to people, animals or things (can replace which or who, informal)
whose	Refer to possession
whom	Refer to a people, used instead of who if who is the object.
where	Refer to places
when	Refer to time
why	Refer to reasons

Pattern

	RELATIVE CLAUSE
Pattern 1	RELATIVE PRONOUN/ ADVERB + SUBJECT + VERB
Examples	The present which he gave me was just amazing.
	That memorable moment was the time when he kissed me for the first time.
	Jack sent me a job offer that I couldn’t decline.
Pattern 2	RELATIVE PRONOUN AS SUBJECT + VERB
Examples	The girl who is standing next to John is my younger sister.
	Venus flytrap is a plant which traps insects.
	Henry is a man who is very kind and friendly.

There are two types of relative clause: defining and non-defining relative clause.

1. Defining relative clauses

Defining relative clauses add detail about a particular noun that is defined. They give essential/ important information about the people, things being referred to.

Without defining relative clause, the meanings would not remain the same.

Venus flytrap is a plant which traps insects.
This was the evidence which greatly affected the case.
I am going to show you a video which was made by the most famous American film director.

Note:

The pronouns who, which can be replaced by that in spoken language.

We don’t use comma in defining relative clauses.

Venus flytrap is a plant which (that) traps insects.
Venus flytrap is a plant, which traps insects.
This was the evidence which (that) greatly affected the case.
~~This was the evidence, which (that) greatly affected the case.~~

2. Non-defining relative clauses

Non-defining relative clauses give extra/ non-essential information about people or things. It does not affect the meanings of the whole sentence.

Without defining relative clause, the meanings would remain the same.

Mr. David, who is an inspiring teacher, won the Global teacher prize 2018.
I’ve just come back from England, which is a very beautiful country.
My two puppies, which were only 6 days old, are taken care of very carefully.

Note:

We don’t use that for non-defining relative clause.

We always use comma in non-defining relative clauses.

Mr. David, who is an inspiring teacher, won the Global teacher prize 2018.
~~Mr. David that is an inspiring teacher, won the Global teacher prize 2018.~~
I’ve just come back from England, which is a very beautiful country.
~~I’ve just come back from England which is a very beautiful country.~~

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Relative clause

Pattern

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