Name_______________________________________________ class____________

RELATIVE CLAUSES: EXERCISES

Complete the following sentences using a relative pronoun and then decide
whether

a commas are required or not

b that can be used instead of the word you have chosen
c the word can be omitted

ê They wanted to show me the new car ________ they had bought in
Germany.
ê The man ________ you were speaking to earlier is Mike ________ is
an expert on networks.
ê The pupils ________ sang in the concert gave a wonderful
performance ________ was praised by their music teacher.
ê My aunt ________ visited me last week has a house in France
________ she goes every summer.
ê Susan said something ________ I couldn't hear clearly.
ê He showed me all the different colourful rocks ________ he had
collected at the beach.
ê The Master's course ________ I took in 1999 is no longer taught at
Oxford University.
ê The singer ________ was recovering from flu had to cancel her other
concerts for the week.
ê The minister talked about the plans for tax reform ________ he will
reveal next month.
ê The doctor ________ Ingrid went to see was very thorough and
helpful.
ê The couple ________ live next to us have sixteen grandchildren.
ê The problems faced by the company ________ I'll look at in detail in
a moment are being resolved.
ê Let's go through the main improving points ________ he made in his
lecture.
ê Julia's father ________ is over 75 has just come back from a skiing
holiday in the Alps.
ê The most interesting film ________ I've seen in a long time is the
one about the artist ________ went to live in Spain.
ê Our local MP promised to do everything ________ he could to help
those ________ houses had been damaged.
ê This is a film ________ will be very popular with teenagers ________
enjoy rock music.
ê Martin ________ had been having lessons for months took his test
when he was offered a job ________ required a driving license.
ê The first time ________ I visited Spain I went to a village ________
there had been a famous battle.
ê Danielle ________ father is Italian has bought a holiday cottage in
the village ________ her grandfather lived.
ê Isabelle ________ Peter was engaged to applied for a job ________
would entail her moving to Holland ________ the new company was
based.
Name_______________________________________________ class____________

JOINING SENTENCES. Join the following sentences using relative

clauses. Indicate whether relatives can be omitted by placing them in
brackets. There may be more than one way to join the sentences. Add
commas where necessary.

ê Steve and Lynn are Americans. They own the little restaurant on
Bridge Street.

ê Property prices are rising throughout Europe. This means many

young couples cannot afford to buy their own home.
Property prices are rising throughout Europe which means many young
couples cannot afford to buy their own home.
ê Dr. Rowan has had to do all his own typing. His secretary resigned
two weeks ago. Dr. Rowan whose secretary resigned two weeks ago ha
to do all his own typing

ê She was greatly influenced by her father. She adored him.

She was greatly influenced by her father. ( she adored him)
ê Pam read a novel. The main character in it was shipwrecked on a
desert island. Pam read a novel where the main character in it was shipwrecked on a
desert island

ê I gave Mark a paperweight as a birthday present. He is a writer.

I gave Mark a paperweight as a birthday present (he was a writer)

ê Harry is an engineer. His wife has just given birth to twins.

Harry is an engineer whose wife has just given birth to twins

ê Jenny has no brothers or sisters. Her parents spoilt her when she
was a child.
Jenny has no brothers or sisters (her parents spoilt her when she was a child)

ê These drugs have been withdrawn from sale. They are used to
treat stomach ulcers. These drugs have been withdrawn from sale, they are used to treat
stomach ulcers

ê Children do better in examinations. Their diets contain high levels

of protein.
Children’s do better in examinations when they diet contains high levels of proteins

ê Some teachers want a pay rise. They may organize a strike.

Some teachers want a pay rise. (They may organize a strike)

ê Alex has just married a teacher. She lectures in Politics.

Alex has just married a teacher which she lectures in politics