RELATIVE CLAUSE

I. Định nghĩa
Relative clause: mệnh đề quan hệ còn được gọi là mệnh đề tính ngữ , là mệnh đề phụ của câu bổ nghĩa cho danh từ
đứng liền trước nó. Mệnh đề này thường bắt đầu bằng các đại từ quan hệ (relative pronoun) như (who, whom, which,
that, whose …) hoặc các phó từ quan hệ (adverb pronoun) như : when, where, why…
II. Cách dùng các đại từ và phó từ quan hệ:
Đại từ và thay thế cho Chức năng Vị trí
phó từ quan
hệ
1. Who danh từ chỉ người Chủ ngữ sau danh từ thay thế
2. Whom danh từ chỉ người Tân ngữ sau danh từ thay thế
3. Which danh từ chỉ vật Chủ ngữ/Tân ngữ sau danh từ thay thế
4. That danh từ chỉ vật/người Chủ ngữ/Tân ngữ sau danh từ thay thế
tính từ sở hữu trước danh từ Bổ nghĩa cho danh từ sau danh từ thay thế
5. Whose
từ chỉ nơi chốn Trạng ngữ chỉ nơi chốn sau từ chỉ nơi chốn
6. Where
(= at/in/on + which )
từ chỉ thời gian Trạng ngữ chỉ thời gian sau từ chỉ thời gian
7. When
(= at/in/on + which )
từ chỉ nguyên nhân Trạng ngữ chỉ nguyên nhân sau từ chỉ nguyên nhân
8. Why
(=for + which)
E.g:
1. The woman who lives next door is very 5. This is the woman whose daughter is a doctor.
friendly. They found a cat whose leg was broken.
2. The man whom you saw yesterday is my 6. I went to the office where/in which my father
uncle. works.
Dalat is the place where/to which I like to
come.
3. The book which has some wonderful pictures 7. I’ll never forget the day when/on which I met
is about the wildlife. him.
The dress which you gave me on my birthday That was the time when/at which he managed
is beautiful. the company.
4. The book that you lent me is interesting. I don’t know the reason why/for which he left
8.
This is the man that I have met before. school.
III. Các mệnh đề quan hệ:
1. Mệnh đề hạn định (Restrictive clause): là mệnh đề bổ nghĩa cho danh từ chưa xác định, không có mệnh đề này câu
không đủ nghĩa.
E.g:I don’t know the man who is talking to her.
The picture which Tom is looking at is beautiful.
The car that I’ve bought is a Honda
Chú ý:
- Đại từ quan hệ WHO, WHICH, THAT có thể bỏ đi khi được dùng để làm tân ngữ của câu.
Eg: The man (that) I met is very nice
2. Mệnh đề giải thích (non-restrictive clause): Lâ mệnh đề bổ nghĩa cho danh từ đã xác định (thường là danh từ
riêng, danh từ sau tính từ sở hữu, từ chỉ định …), không có mệnh đề này câu vẫn đủ nghĩa. Mệnh đề này ngăn cách với
mệnh đề chính bằng dấu phẩy.
E.g: His father, who is working in this factory, is going to retire next year.
I had a personal talk with Jane, who wanted to take that job.
My car, which is a Honda, is really great
Chú ý:
- Không được bỏ đại từ quan hệ trong mệnh đề này.
- Không dùng THAT trong mệnh đề này
3. Mệnh đề quan hệ nối tiếp (sentence relative clause): Là mệnh đề dùng để giải thích cả một câu, trường hợp này
chỉ dùng đại từ WHICH và dùng dấu phẩy để tách hai mệnh đề. Mệnh đề này luôn đứng ở cuối câu và luôn chia với
động từ số ít.
E.g: He admires Mr. Brown, which surprises me.
She didn’t come to my birthday party, which I found strange.
IV. Mệnh đề quan hệ rút gọn: (Reduced form of relative clause)
Rút gọn bằng
1. Present Participle (V-ing khi động từ trong mệnh đề quan hệ ở thể chủ động)
E.g: Do you know the boy who has broken that window? → Do you know the boy breaking that window?
2. Past participle (V-ed khi động từ trong mệnh đề quan hệ ở thể bị động)
E.g: The students who were punished by the teacher are lazy. → The students punished by the teacher are lazy.
3. To – infinitive
- Dùng sau các từ first, second… last, next, only và so sánh nhất
E.g: The captain was the last man who left the ship → The captain was the last man to leave the ship
- Dùng để diễn đạt mục đích
E.g: English is an important language which we need master. → English is an important language to master
4. Cụm giới từ
E.g: That books that are on the table are mine → That books on the table are mine
My brother is the one who has red hair → My brother is the one with red hair
She was talking to a man who was wearing a dark suit → She was talking to a man in a dark suit.
5. Cụm danh từ
Eg: Ms Lan, who is the school librarian, often lends me reference books
→ Ms Lan, the school librarian, often lends me reference books
V. Chú ý:
1. THAT còn dùng sau các từ: all, every, any, no, only, some (đại từ bất định)
E.g: All that is mine is yours
He is responsible for everything that happens in the office.
2. Đại từ THAT dùng sau tiền tố hỗn hợp (gồm cả người, vật, việc).
E.g: We can see farmers and cattle that are going to the field.
3. Mệnh đề quan hệ có giới từ chỉ sử dụng với đại từ quan hệ WHOM, WHICH.
E.g: Recommend me a nice restaurant in which we can have an Italian dinner
4. Không được đưa giới từ ra trước WHOM, WHICH khi giới từ đó đi kèm bổ nghĩa cho động từ (các cụm động từ)
E.g: That is the child whom you have to look after.
5. Rút gọn với mệnh đề quan hệ phủ định như sau:
My parents, who didn’t have much money, never went on holiday
→ My parents, not having much money, never went on holiday
6. Chú ý sự khác nhau giữa which với when/where với cùng một danh từ
Houses which overlook the lake cost more (House → đồ vật)
We live in the house where we were all brought up (House → Nơi chốn)
7. What được dùng với nghĩa = things which
I can’t believe what you told me yesterday = I can’t believe things which you told me yesterday
What you should do is write a letter to the manager = Thing which you should do is write a letter to the manager
8. Whatever, whoever, wherever, whenever… được dùng với ý nghĩa tương tự như what
Whatever she did made them happy = Anything which she did made them happy
He always keeps in touch wherever he is = He always keeps in touch any place where he is
 Exercise 4: Choose the mistake

1. Why did Danny, whose totally unfit, decide to enter the marathon?
A B C D
2. Miranda still has trauma from the tragic accident, that took away her closest friend.
A B C D
3. The office furniture that was ordered last month have just arrived, but we're not sure whether the
A B C
manager likes it.
D
4. Mr. Smith whose car was stolen yesterday, is a professor.
A B C D
5. My uncle, was a businessman, was ranked the weathiest of the country.
A B C D
6. She was the first woman in the Philippines to elect as the president of the country.
A B C D
7. We should participate in the movements organizing to conserve the natural environment.
A B C D
8. Jack has won a jackpot prize, 10% of whom was donated to flooded areas.
A B C D
9. All her children have graduated from university, that is the reason for her to be proud.
A B C D
10. Mrs. Brown was the first owner his dog won 3 prizes in the same show
A B C D
11. Many of the pictures were sent from outer space are presently on display in the public library.
A B C D
12. This class, where is a prerequisite for microbiology, is so difficult that I would rather drop it.
A B C D
13. The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is the name of a set of English qualifications,
A B
generally taking by secondary students at the age of 15 - 16 in England.
C D
14. Drying food by means of solar energy is an ancient process applying wherever climatic conditions A
B C
make it possible.
D
15. Salmon lay their eggs, and die in freshwater although they live in salt water when most of their A B
C
adults lives.
D
Exercise 5: Choose the correct answer
1. The recreation plan.…………they disagreed would require the construction of two new dams.
A. about which B. on whom C. that D. why
2. The school programme.…………has been interrupted by revision tests requires a regular course study.
A. whose B. who C. that D. what
3. Credit.…………is given in this semester requires approximately three hours of classroom work.
A. where B. what C. when D. which
4. Two courses.…………have the same subjects are in different times.
A. that B. what C. when D. where
5. You may enrol our course by e-mail.…………can be faster than other registration forms.
A. who B. which C. where D. when
6. Students.…………register for courses do not have any problems.
A. whom B. what C. who D. when
7. August 23rd is the last date.…………you may transfer to another course.
A. which B. on which C. that D. what
8. Our course needs some requirements.…………are listed here.
A. which B. when C. what D. where
9. Before coming to my office, please check the appointments.…………are listed in my official calendar.
A. when B. why C. that D. what
10. The appointment .…………continues beyond three hours is always very important for my customers.
A. when B. who C. what D. which
11. The girl.…………dress you admire has been working for an expo company since she left school.
A. who B. whose C. what D. whom
12. Students.…………special accommodations should contact the private dormitory office immediately.
A. whom require B. that are require C. require D. requiring
13. The parking area.…………the university is only for the instructors.
A. which is B. around C. which around D. is around
14. This book is about an introduction to Indians.…………culture started in the medieval century.
A. whose B. who C. what D. whom
15. Your company can see our records.…………all technical information can be seen.
A. which B. on which C. at which D. from which
16. With reference to your e-mail.…………20th, May, our firm thanks for your information.
A. which dated B. which is dating C. dated D. what is dated
17. Did they buy everything.…………?
A. they wished to buy B. what they wished buy
C. which they had planned buying D. what they wished to buy
18. I never forget the time.…………my motorbike broke down in a very crowded street.
A. where B. when C. that D. in which
19. I couldn’t remember the time.…………there was no internet.
A. when B. why C. which D. what
20. The restaurant.…………we had our dinner was the most expensive in this city.
A. when B. which C. where D. that
21. The top model about.…………I was telling you is on TV now.
A. who B. whom C. that D. which
22. I’m thinking of entering the university.…………facilities are excellent.
A. who B. that C. when D. whose
23. Is there a reason.…………she doesn’t want to talk in the lecture?
A. why B. which C. that D. when
24. Are you the student.…………mother called me yesterday?
A. that B. who C. whose D. when
25. Is that the same film.…………we watched last year?
A. who B. when C. for which D. Ø
Exercise 6: Choose the correct answer:
1. The police are trying to find out ………….. was blackmailing the victim.
A. when B. that C. who D. what
2. Castle Combe,…………..Dr Doolittle was filmed, is considered the prettiest village in England.
A. in which B. about what C. with whom D. whom
3. Both modern philosophy and modern mathematics began with the work of Rene Descartes,………….
analytic method of thinking focused attention on the problem of how we know.
A. where B. when C. whose D. which
4. Isadora Duncan, ………….. dance techniques revolutionised ballet, had a tragic personal life.
A. where B. whose C. whom D. which
5. Thanks to modern technology, people ………….. steal from shops can be identified using closed circuit television.
A. which B. when C. where D. who
6. Our reporter is going to ask them…………..the effects of the new taxation will be.
A. where B. what C. which D. why
7. The Queen gave out medals for services to the community, most …………..were given to famous people.
A. that B. for whom C. of which D. Ø
8. Goldau, a small Swiss town…………..a landslide took place in 1806, is now called Neu-Goldau and consists
merely of a few houses.
A. when B. what C. which D. where
9. I can’t imagine ………….. she wants to go to Canada in the winter.
A. what B. why C. where D. who
10. St. Andrews, a Scottish town, ………….. golf course is one of the oldest in the world, is the host for this year’s
British Open Golf Championship.
A. whose B. for whom C. with which D. when
11. I’m glad that the snacks ………….. we served at the reception were very popular with the guests.
A. where B. what C. Ø D. whom
12. There is now a radio station, called “Talksport”, …………..broadcasts sports twenty-four hours a day.
A. where B. which C. who D. when
13. Leopold Grielin’s “Handbuch der Chemie”, …………..originally written in German, was translated into English
in the 1876s.
A. Ø B. whom C. that D. which
14. The teachers…………..negligence resulted in the boy being left behind in France have been suspended.
A. that B. why C. whose D. whom
15. The children ………….. sang at the Mayor’s parade were from the local school.
A. whom B. Ø C. where D. who
16. All his staff,…………..he had good relations, admired him greatly.
A. of which B. that C. with whom D. where
17. Genghis Khan,…………..name means “very mighty ruler”, was a Mongol emperor in the Middle Ages.
A. whom B. whose C. who D. what
18. Barbara Cartland,…………..light-hearted romantic novels were popular, died earlier this year.
A. whose B. whom C. which D. of which
19. Discus throwing is an athletic discipline …………..tests strength and agility.
A. where B. what C. when D. that
20. Nothing could stop the mud slide, …………..tore down houses as if they were made of match sticks.
A. which B. where C. when D. that
21. The greatest number of Native American Indians are Navajos, one sixth …………..still live in traditional one-
room houses called Hogans.
A. for which B. in which C. with whom D. of whom
22. We stood at the Grand Canyon looking down into the cleft below,…………..the Colorado river continues to carve
deeper and deeper into the Earth’s crust.
A. where B. how C. which D. when
23. Blenheim Palace,…………..Churchill was born, is now open to the public.
A. when B. where C. which D. that
24. The meal,…………..we had paid twenty pounds, was tasteless.
A. for whom B. about what C. for which D. Ø
25. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from the town, many…………..will spend the night under the stars.
A. for which B. whose C. in which D. of whom