What is a relative clause?

'It's my brother who lives in Brighton.'

We use relative clauses to give extra information about something. We can get more information into a sentence without the need to start a new one.

There are two types of relative clauses: defining and non-defining:

'Saris which are made of silk are expensive.' = defining relative clause

'Saris, which are made of silk, are expensive.' = non-defining relative clause

The first sentence tells us that silk saris are expensive (we can guess there are other saris made of cheaper materials). This is a defining relative clause.>

The second sentence tells us that saris are expensive and that they are ALL made of silk. The information between the two commas ",which are made of silk," is extra information and can be taken out and the sentence meaning remains the same 'Saris are expensive'. This is a non-defining relative clause. This type of clause is common in written English. In spoken English a pause is used instead of a comma.

Relative Pronouns

In both defining and non-defining relative clauses we us the following relative pronouns:

Who = is for people: 'The person who lives next door is a doctor.'

Whose = is used to show ownership/possession 'The woman whose son you met.'

Whom = object pronoun, although 'who' can be used in informal English. 'I saw the man whom you saw at the party.'

Which = is used for things: 'The car which you bought is cool.'

That = Can be used informally instead of ‘who’ and ‘which’.

Relative Adverbs

Relative adverbs are used like relative pronouns:

When = is used for a time. 'The time when I last saw you.'

• I got married ___ I was 27.
  
  where
  which
  why
  when
  
  
• Our love of fast cars is the reason ___ we bought a Porsche.
  
  which
  why
  which
  when
  
  
• Sarah is the woman ___ was wearing the red dress.
  
  who
  whose
  where
  why
  
  
• The taxi ride,____ brought me here, was very cheap.
  
  why
  who
  which
  where
  
  
• Tom, ___ girlfriend is a model, is standing over there.
  
  whose
  who
  that
  which
  
  
• My company has a cafe ___ I use at lunchtime.
  
  who
  when
  where
  which
  
  
• A post office is a place ___ we can buy stamps.
  
  which
  when
  where
  who
  
  
• It is my brother ___ lives in Brighton, not me.
  
  why
  where
  whose
  who
  
  
• A calculator is something ___ we use to do maths problems on.
  
  when
  where
  why
  which
  
  
• Christmas is the time ___ people give gifts in my country.
  
  why
  who
  were
  when
  
  
• The doctor, ___ name is Frank, is away today.
  
  when
  who
  whose
  why