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Grammar B1 Relative Clauses

Relative clauses — 40 examples

6 min read Sentence Structure & Clauses

What Are Relative Clauses?

A relative clause is an extra part of a sentence that gives more information about a noun. It starts with a relative pronoun like who, which, that, where, or why. Relative clauses help you connect ideas and avoid repeating words. They can go in the middle or at the end of a sentence.

Relative Clauses with WHO (people)

Use 'who' to describe people. The relative clause tells you more about who the person is or what they do. 'Who' can be the subject or object of the relative clause.

Relative Clauses with WHICH (things)

Use 'which' to describe things or objects. 'Which' is very common in written English and formal contexts. You can use 'which' at the beginning or middle of a sentence to add important details about an object.

Relative Clauses with THAT (people or things)

Use 'that' to describe people or things. 'That' is common in informal and spoken English. Many sentences with 'that' are restrictive, meaning the information is essential to understand the sentence.

Relative Clauses with WHERE (place)

Use 'where' to describe a place or location. 'Where' replaces 'in which', 'at which', or similar phrases. It tells you more information about where something happens.

Relative Clauses with WHY (reason)

Use 'why' to talk about the reason for something. 'Why' is less common than other relative pronouns, but it's useful for explaining motivations or causes in your writing.

Examples — page 1 of 4

The woman who teaches my English class is from Australia.
The woman who teaches my English class is from Australia.
Restrictive · Describes a specific person
My sister, who works as a doctor, has two children.
My sister, who works as a doctor, has two children.
Non-restrictive · Extra information about sister
The students that passed the exam will receive a certificate.
The students that passed the exam will receive a certificate.
Informal · Essential information
I met a man who speaks five languages.
I met a man who speaks five languages.
Everyday usage · Describes a capability
This is the book which I bought last week.
This is the book which I bought last week.
Formal written · Object of the clause
The project that we completed in March was very successful.
The project that we completed in March was very successful.
Business context · Defines which project
The restaurant where we had dinner last night was excellent.
The restaurant where we had dinner last night was excellent.
Everyday usage · Describes a location
The reason why he left early was unclear.
The reason why he left early was unclear.
Formal · Explains motivation
The phone which I lost yesterday was very expensive.
The phone which I lost yesterday was very expensive.
Written English · Specific object identification
People who exercise regularly tend to be healthier.
People who exercise regularly tend to be healthier.
General statement · Describes a group
Signal words
who which that where why whom whose what
KEY TAKEAWAYS

What to Remember

  • A relative clause adds extra information about a noun using relative pronouns like who, which, that, where, or why.
  • Use 'who' for people and 'which' for things or objects in relative clauses.
  • Relative clauses can be positioned in the middle or at the end of a sentence.
  • A relative pronoun can function as either the subject or object within the relative clause.
  • Relative clauses help connect ideas together and eliminate unnecessary word repetition in your writing.
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Reduced relative clauses
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Relative clauses — common mistakes