There are two types of relative clauses in English: those that add extra information (non-defining relative clauses) and those that modify (or define) the subject of the sentence (defining relative clauses).
Defining clauses
These clauses define the noun and they identify which thing or person we are referring to.
Things
"The present which he bought me is beautiful."
People
"The man who has started an English course is from Spain."
Using whom
Whom is used to refer to the object of the verb.
The people with whom I was sitting were very noisy.
However, it is hardly ever used in spoken English. Instead, "who" is used with the preposition:
The people who I was sitting with were very noisy.
To whom are you speaking? = Who are you speaking to?
For whom are you buying the present? + Who are you buying the present for?
Using that
In spoken English, "that" is often used instead of "which", "whom"or "who".
"The present that he bought me is beautiful."
"The man that has started an English course is from Spain."
When, where and whose
When: Is there another time when (that) I can call you?
Where: Can you tell me where I can buy wrapping paper?
Whose: (possessive) Have you seen the TV show whose catchphrase is "Deal no deal?"
Omitting that, who and which
If the pronoun ("that", "who", "which") is the object of the verb, it can be omitted.
"The company that she works for is based in London." ("That"is an object pronoun.)
= "The company she works for is based in London." ("That"can be omitted.)
But:
"The company that employs her is based in London." ("That" is a subject pronoun.)
The company employs her (the company is the subject). In this case, it is not possible to omit "that". You need the pronoun because it is the subject of the verb.
Non-defining relative clauses
These clauses add further information.
"My students, who are all adults, are learning English to get a better job."
"The textbooks, which the students like, have lots of helpful examples."
Commas are used to separate the relative clause from the rest of the sentence.
"That" cannot be used instead of "who"or "which" in non-defining relative clauses.
You can use "some", "none", "all" and "many" with "of which" and "of whom" to add extra information:
My students, many of whom are from Europe, are learning English to get a better job.
The textbooks, some of which the students like, have helpful examples.
Comparing defining and non-defining relative clauses
The meaning of the sentences changes if you use a non-defining clause rather than a defining clause. Compare the following:
Non-defining
The students, who had revised hard, passed the exam. (All the students revised and they all passed the exam.
Defining
The students who had revised hard passed the exam. (Only some of the students revised, and these were the ones who passed the exam.)
38 comments on “English relative clauses”
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My country is Viet Nam where is a developing country .
Or : My country is Viet Nam which is a developing country .
Which is correct ? thanks .
Neither. I'd say "My country, Vietnam, is a developing country."
Thanks ! This is an excellent site for learners
the castle that he dreamt about is very big.
some of my friends like drawing which is my hobby.
the actors , many of whom are from egypt , are speak arabic.
the teacher who teachs me is my brother's wife.
These are the trainees who are studying here.
can be shortend to..
These are the trainees studying here.
But
The thief who was arrested by the police last night ran away.
are these sentences containing relative clauses? If not, what do we call these clauses.
Yes, they are relative clauses.
I would like to thank you for giving me a highlight about English in general. It is helpful to improve my language. But I want to be a good professional writer and speaker. My work is completly related with English. Thank you
I just answer to Moon's question, I think the correct one is " which".
"where" isn't fix.
If I'm speaking and using such clauses, how can I let the listener distinguish between a defining clause and a non-defining clause?
Abdulelah ยป The only way to really show the difference is to pause (where the commas are) in non-defining clauses.
I have a question about the situation/way of using that. Could I use THAT to instead of WHO or WHICH anytime in spoken English?
You can use it instead of who or which in defining relative clauses. But in non-defining relative clauses (where you include extra information) you can't use "that".
How do I explain that "My country, where is Vietnam, is beautiful" is wrong while "My country, which is Vietnam, is beautiful" is right? Also, "April, when is the best month of the year…" vs "April, which is the best month of the year…"
You can use "where" if the subject in the clause is different:
Vietnam, where many different nationalities live, has borders with China and Cambodia.
Vietnam, where I live, is a beautiful country.
The same for "when":
April, the month when it often rains, is in spring.
Otherwise, if the subject is the same in the clause, use "who" or "which" as relative pronouns:
Sarah, who is English, lives in France.
The new book, which was published last week, has been a great success.
which one is correct?i hope he can do that or i hope he can does that ???i will be thanke you if you answere my question
"I hope he can do that". Remember, after modal auxiliary verbs, you need the infinitive without "to".
To use WHEN, WHERE correctly. you have to remember their function : When, where are only used as adverb, while which, that are used as subject or subject
Well my question is very simple does anybody tell me, When we have used the word "THAT" and When we have used the word "WHERE" Because mostly we use "THAT" While Speaking.
Use "where" to refer to a place:
The place where I was born is an industrial city.
Use "that" to refer to an object:
The car that she drives is old.
Well i am bit confused about "THAT" and "WHICH". Can u please tell me in detail whats the main difference between "THAT" and "WHICH" And how to make a sentence whether we use "THAT" or "WHICH".
The main difference is between defining and non-defining relative clauses.
In defining relative clauses, you can use which or that for objects, but who or that for people.
In non-defining relative clauses, you can't use that at all. Use which for objects, and who for people.
the house , where i had been lived until 2 years old , was failed in yesterday ?
is my sentence correct ?
The house, where I had lived until I was two years old, fell in yesterday.
1. I remember my house where i had spent 10 years of my life.
2. My next door neighbour is a women that is from mexico.
3. I am trying to improve my english so that to get good job in future.
4. I am planing a party at my home, so when are you free to come?
5. With whom are you going at this time?
6. To whom are you sending this beatuiful present?
Helo Sir, This is such a good web site for begginers. I want your attention to please check and rectify my sentences. I'll be very thankful to you.
1. I remember my house where I spent 10 years of my life.
2. My next door neighbour is a women from Mexico.
3. I am trying to improve my English to get a good job in the future.
4. I am planing a party at my home, so when are you free to come?
5. Who are you going with this time? (With whom sounds very formal.)
6. Who are you sending this beautiful present to?
Helo Sir, This is such a good web site for begginers. I want your attention to please check and rectify my sentences. I'll be very thankful to you.
This website is helpful not only for beginners, but also for advanced learners.
My next door neighbor is the man that is usually angry with everybody .
The house where I left 1 year ago was very old and dirty .
The girl I 've just talked to is my new college
My next door neighbor is the man who is usually angry with everybody .
The house where I lived / which I left 1 year ago was very old and dirty .
The girl I 've just talked to is my new colleague – OK
the city that had built by empror has vanished
the city,which had built by empror has vanished.
is first sentence is defining and second is non-defining. if not ,then correct these sentences in defining and non defining clauses
The city that was built by the emperor has vanished – defining
The city which was built by the emperor has vanished – defining
Put in commas to make it non-defining
The city, which was built by the emperor, has vanished
hi clare,
by very simple example explain for me whose and whom.
and ommiting.
Whose – relates to possession:
The man whose car was stolen had to walk home.
Whom – is the equivalent of "who", but we use it when the person is the object, rather than subject of the sentence:
The man to whom she was talking was French.
Clare, this is a great webside, thank you. About the last statement whose/whom, Can I say "The man who she was talking was French" instead of "The man to whom she was talking was French" Are both correct?
The man who she was talking to was French = The man to whom she was talking…
The second is more formal. But remember you need the preposition "to" in the first sentence.
Hi Claire,
Could you possibly explain to me the difference between "this" and "that" and "these" and "those" ? I hope this kind of question is not already posted. Well, I have learnt that "this" is used when you say for example: This is my house and that is your house. Or these are my trousers and those over there are yours. But what I don't understand about it, is how to use "this" and "that" or plural forms like "these" and "those" in spoken English or when writing a letter. The thing is. I never know when best to use "this" and "that" or "these" and "those" Perhaps you could answer my question that would be so great. Thank you again for taking the time. I hope you will be able to help me again. Thank you.
You use them in exactly the way you describe: this / that for singular nouns, and these / those for plural nouns.
I have just realized that I spelt your name wrong. I hope you didn't mind it. I'm sorry. Of course, I meant to say "Clare" .Anyway, thanks so much for clarifying my question. What you've just explained to me was very helpful. Thank you again.
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