English 301

PRACTICE 4
THE RELATIVE CLAUSES
➢ FORM
Independent clause + (relative pronoun) dependent clause

➢ USES
1. In general terms, a relative clause gives us information about the subject or the object of a main
clause, it can join two clauses as well.
a. WHO for people
b. WHICH for things
c. WHOSE for possessions
d. WHERE for a place
e. WHEN for a time
f. WHY to explain a reason
g. THAT for people or things instead of who or which

2. The relative clauses which, that and who can be omitted when they are the object of the verb
however when they are the subject they should never be omitted.

➢ EXERCISES
1. Join these sentences using who or which.
a. We chose the hotel. It seemed to be the nicest.
We chose the hotel which seemed to be the nicest.

b. She spoke to the man. He was standing next to her.

She spoke to the man who was standing next to her.

c. I read the letters. They came in the morning post.

I read the letters which came in the morning post.

d. He likes the other people. They work in his office.

He likes the other people who work in his office.

e. I pay the bills. They came yesterday.

I pay the bills which came yesterday.

2. Join these sentences using who, which, that or whose.

a. She chose the books. She wanted to buy them.
She chose the books that she wanted to buy.
 English 301

b. We ate the sandwiches. Jack made them.

We ate the sandwiches that jack made.

c. I’m doing some work. I have to finish it today.

I’m doing some work that I have to finish today.

d. She’s an old woman. I often see her when I go to the shops.

She’s an old woman who I often see when I go to the shops.

e. She was wearing a red dress. She wears for parties.

She was wearing a red dress that wears for parties.

f. My classmate is very friendly. His mother is Indian.

My classmate whose mother is Indian is very friendly.

3. Complete the sentences with which, where, when or why. Leave out the pronoun where
possible.
a. This tastes awful. I don’t know (why) I ordered it!
b. It was raining by the time (when) we got there.
c. Is this the place (where) we’re supposed to meet them?
d. She works in a building (which) used to be a hospital.
e. Is that the reason (why) she never answers her emails?
f. This is the house (where) my grandmother was born.
g. 1969 was the year (when) human beings first landed on the moon.
h. What a terrible thing to say! I don’t know (why) she’s always so rude to me.

4. Write a 50-word paragraph where you describe a famous invention or product. Use relative
clauses as much as you can. Then, in pairs, try to make a description of the invention to one
of your classmates without giving away the name, only its characteristics.

Famous Invention

This famous invention is a home appliance which is essentially use to storage food and it is the one
that makes a difference in our daily lives. Fun facts: Albert Einstein was the co-inventor, who
created a patent in 1930.
In the 19th century when those appliances were super strong and incredibly huge to be replaced is
when the evolution started to change their structure and now, we have a mini version of it where we
can store beverages and snacks even in our bedrooms.