DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE

Definition: An Adjective Clause is a dependent clause that modifies a Noun. It

gives essential information about the nouns they modify.
An Adjective Clause is usually introduced by a relative pronoun (who, whom,
whose, which, that) or by a relative adverb (where, when, why).
That / whom / which in objective case can be dropped off the sentence:
A. With WHO, WHOM, WHICH, THAT, WHOSE

Antecedent Person Things/animals

Function
Subject Who Which
that
Object Whom Which

Possessive Whose Whose/ of which

1. I thanked the woman. She helped me.

2. The gentleman is a well – known singer. He lives next door to me.
3. The ideas are interesting. They are presented in that book.
4. The trees were cut down. Its tops had been struck by lightning .
B. With WHERE, WHEN, WHY.
WHERE = IN WHICH (for place)
Eg: - The building is very old. He lives there.
à The building in which he lives is very old.
à The building where he lives is very old.
WHEN = ON WHICH (for time)
Eg: - I’ll never forget the day. I met you then.
à I’ll never forget the day when I met you.
à I’ll never forget the day on which I met you.
WHY = FOR WHICH (for reason)
Eg: - The reason why I phoned you is that I want to invite you to my birthday
party.
“WHAT” is used to replace “the thing(s) that…..”
Eg: I’m afraid we haven’t got- the things that you want in stock.
- What
- He was selling sth. I wasn’t interested in it.
- à I wasn’t interested in what he was selling
- You asked me to do sth. I’ve done it.
- àI’ve done what you asked me to do.
Non – defining relative clause:

• A Non – restrictive clause contains an additional information which is

not required to give the meaning of the sentence . A Non – restrictive
clause is set off from the other restrictive clause by commas. “ That“
can’t be used.
• Object pronouns can’t be omitted.
Eg: Thomas Edison was a scientist. He invented the electric light bulbs.
_Thomas Edison , who invented the electric light bulbs, was a
scientist.
- The man whom/that/ φ I met teaches chemistry.
But:
Mr. Brown, whom I met, teaches chemistry. (That / φ can’t be used)
- Shakespear, who wrote Romeo and Juliet, died in 1616
Non – defining relative clause:

NOTE: 1. Use “ To infinitive” to shorten the relative clause (khi co cac tu: the
first, the last, the second, the only) (or co hinh thuc so sanh: the best, the
most….)
Eg: John was the first student to hand in the paper. (=J was the first student
who handed in….)
Eg: Wendy was the only student to give the correct answer.
(= Wendy was the only student who gave the correct answer.)
2. “WHICH” duoc dung de thay the cho y tuong cua ca 1 menh de di truoc.
Trong case nay, “which” duoc dung sau phay.
Eg: He suddenly shouted at me, which made me very upset.
- She got married for the third time, which surprised everybody.
3. “Those” can be used when you are saying which persons or things you are
referring to: Those who………
Those which…….
Eg: Those who worked overtime will be given extra payment.
Combine the following pair of sentences:
(Using relative pronouns or relative adjectives)

1. The lines are arranged in 2 groups. The lines carry the supply.
2. I’m phoning you. The reason is to invite you to a party.
3. The steel beams are welded together. The beams form the frame of the
bridge.
4. The students were trapped in a cave. One of them has already been
brought out.
5. The latex is then dried. It has been treated with acid.
6. It was John. I was talking to him.
7. We often go to visit our friends in Bristol. Bristol is 30 miles away.
8. Mr. Carter is very interested in our plan. I spoke to him on the phone last
night.
9. The Brooklyn bridge is one of the most important bridges ever build. Its
span is 486 meters long.
10. Love, ______is a wonderful feeling, comes to everyone at sometime in his
life.
Notes: Notice the structure involving “one, two, three, a
few, many of whom/ which.
Eg: - Mr. Wilson has taught many students; some of them
have become famous scientists.
OR: Mr. Wilson has taught many students, some of
whom……..
Notes: “THAT” should be used:

1. After a mixed antecedent (person + thing or animal)

Eg: I met the people, cattle and vehicles that went to market.

2. After Adjectives in the superlative and THE FIRST, THE LAST, THE ONLY, THE
VERY(adj + N chính là) . . .
Eg: He is the kindest doctor that I’ve ever worked with.

3. After most Indefinite Pronouns: ALL, MUCH, LITTLE , ANY, NONE, NOTHING,
ANYTHING, NOBODY, EVERYTHING . . .
Eg: Have you got all that you need?

4. After the opening IT IS / WAS … and the corresponding interrogative form.

Eg: It was John that I was just talking to.
Is it I that will be sacked by the boss?
Relative clauses
Directions: Choose the correct answer or answers

1. Ms. Donaldson, _____ teaches linguistics at university, recently received recognition

for her research on the use of gestures in communication.
A. Who B. whom C. which D. that E. φ

2. A woman _____ teaches linguistics at the university received an award for outstanding
research.
A. Who B. whom C. which D. that E. Φ

3. The earth, _____ is the fifth largest planet in the solar system, is the third planet from
the sun.
A. Who B. whom C. which D. that E. Φ

4. A grant of S1.5 million was awarded to Dr. Sato, ______ has impressed the scientific
community with his research on the common cold.
A. Who B. whom C. which D. that E. Φ

5. The award for the Most Valuable Player was won by a player _____ the coaches and
the entire team respect.
A. Who B. whom C. which D. that E. Φ
Relative clauses
Directions: Choose the correct answer or answers

6. The award was won by Dennis Johnson, ______ the coach highly respects.
A. Who B. whom C. which D. that E. Φ

7. My accountant, _____ understands the complexities of the tax system, is doing my

taxes this year.
A. Who B. whom C. which D. that E. Φ

8. The school board voted to close a neighborhood elementary school. The decision,
_____ affected over 200 students, was not warmly received in the community.
A. Who B. whom C. which D. that E. Φ

9. Our office need a secretary _____ knows how to use various word processing
program.
A. Who B. whom C. which D. that E. Φ

10. The winter of Nobel Prize in physics dedicated the honor to his high school physics
teacher, _____ had been an inspiration during his early years.
A. Who B. whom C. which D. that E. Φ
 PRACTICE: Select the best answer to complete the sentence.

1. Describe any activities in _______ you participate for your community.

A. who B. which C. whom D. that
2. A paid holiday will be given to _______ team has the highest sales.
A. which B. who C. which D. whoever
3. Mr. Nickerson will lead you to the building _______ you should go to.
A. who B. which C. whose D. whom
4. Mr. Simon, _______ is the head of the main office, is responsible for all administrative
functions.
A. who B. that C. whose D. whom
5. _______ you send the package, just make sure it gets there before noon tomorrow.
A. Wherever B. However C. Where D. Whenever
6. Of the fifty applicants ________ registered today, most had more than three years of
experience in the field.
A. who B. of which C. which D. what
7. All certain shops in populous areas, they sell imitation bags and shoes, _______ is illegal.
A. where B. but C. and D. which
8. Those of you ________ passports have expired should inform the travel agency.
A. who is B. whom C. whose D. what
9. I would like to see the manager with _______ I talked on the phone yesterday.
A. who B. whom C. when D. that
10. ______ you ask for information, we will be happy to help you with all our heart.
A. Whoever B. Whatever C. Wherever D. Whenever
11. The exhibition on ancient remains of China, ______ attracted a large number of people,
will last until the end of the month.
A. whose B. what C. which D. that
12. Any graduate students _______ research paper is selected for publication in a journal
will receive a scholarship.
A. that B. which C. who D. whose
13. The sales agent with _______you will be training is named Tony Covello.
A. who B. whom C. whose D. that
14. This is the part of the factory _______ the actual production work takes place.
A. which B. where C. whose D. which
15. The only benefit given to employees is health insurance, _______ only covers
90% of medical bills.
A. Which B. it C. that D. who
16. Researchers in a broad range of fields were asked to review _______ the
proposed project may entail.
A. how B. when C. which D. what
17. Sensible stock investors are usually not overly concerned about ________
happens in any particular period.
A. who B. what C. which D. that
18. Anyone _______ experiences complications with the new software is
encouraged to bring this matter to Mr. Gruber’s attention in room 210.
A. who B. which C. whom D. whose
19. An investment _______ gradually increases in value over the years can be
more profitable than more short-term alternatives.
A. that B. they C. what D. when