Unit 12 - Relative Clauses

Relative Clauses

Unit 12 - Relative Clauses

Relative clauses give information to help define something. For example:
- I work for a company. >> I work for a company that sells computer software.
The clause "that sells computer software" gives extra information about the company.
- She likes people. >> She likes people who are kind and generous.
The first sentence is too general, wheras the second sentence gives more information about who she likes.

Who

Who clauses give information about people. For example:
- There are many people who want to learn English.
- A doctor is a person who helps sick people.

Sometimes you can use that as well as who. For example:
- I like the man that lives next to us.
- I like the man who lives next to us.
This is possible in Essential Relative Clauses, but not in Non-essential Relative Clauses. For more information see later units on Relative Clauses.

Which

Which clauses give information about things. For example:
- Where's the pencil which was on my desk?
- He's moved to an apartment which has a nice view.

That can be used instead of which especially in informal speech. For example:
- I'd like a job that has a higher salary. - OK
- I'd like a job which has a higher salary. - OK

- This is the book that I borrowed from Lisa. - OK
- This is the book which I borrowed from Lisa. - OK

As above, which and that can both be used in Essential Relative Clauses, but only which can be in Non-essential Relative Clauses. For more informaiton see later Units on Relative Clauses.

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Grammar Exercises

Example: What is the name of the restaurant _____ has very good spaghetti?

a) who
b) that
c) was

The answer is: b) that
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1. I like the baseball player ____ gave me an autograph.
a) who
b) was
c) which

2. The man _____ stole the painting is now in jail.
a) which
b) whom
c) that

3. Charles Dickens _____ the book "A Tale of Two Cities."
a) who wrote
b) wrote
c) that wrote

4. He is the man ____ I am talking about.
a) that which
b) be
c) that

5. He is the person _____ runs the pet shelter.
a) who
b) whom
c) is

6. I would like to live in a country _____ has a lot of beaches.
a) which
b) who
c) will

7. The boy ____ found the missing dog will get a reward.
a) which
b) is
c) who

8. Try not to be the type of husband ____ forgets his anniversary.
a) which
b) who
c) whom

9. To _____ is this present for?
a) who
b) whom
c) which

10. Is that the computer ____ always crashes?
a) who
b) that
c) is

Answers

"a","c","b","c","a","a","c","b","b","b"

Samantha: Where do you work?
John: I work for a company that sells music equipment.
Samantha: That’s neat. I love music. What do you do at the company?
John: I work in the Internet division. I mainly work from home which is nice since I can work at my own pace.

Husband: Do you know where the remote control is?
Wife: It’s right here.
Husband: Oh no, not that one. The one that controls the upstairs TV.

Salesperson: How may I help you?
Customer: Hi, I’d like to buy a refrigerator.
Salesperson: Sure, what type would you like?
Customer: I need a big one that will hold a lot of food.
Salesperson: Sure, thing. Right this way. We have several which are both large and affordable.