Relative Clauses

0 and 1st Conditionals

ISET
English 1, Lesson 11
Instructors: Emma Pratt and Soyoung Kwon
Relative Clauses
 Listen again and fill in the blanks in the notes:
Cambridge Grammar for IELTS Track 28
How to Protect your Home
Outdoors
● If you live in an area _______________ a lot of tall trees, cut
off overhanging or dead branches.
● Put away objects ______________ damaging missiles.
Indoors
● If you are away for a long time then find someone
________________ on your home for you.
● Install lights _______________ a timer so that it looks as
though you are home.
● Find someone ______________________ your mail regularly.
Listen again and fill in the blanks in the notes:
Cambridge Grammar for IELTS Track 28

How to Protect your Home

Outdoors
● If you live in an area where there are a lot of tall trees, cut
off overhanging or dead branches.
● Put away objects that could become damaging missiles.
Indoors
● If you are away for a long time then find someone that can
check on your home for you.
● Install lights which have a timer so that it looks as though
you are home.
● Find someone who can collect your mail regularly.
What is a relative clause?
● Relative clauses give information about a noun (or noun
phrase).
● They are linked to the noun by a relative pronoun.
● The relative pronoun can be either the subject or the
object of the relative clause.
● We don’t use another pronoun within the relative clause to
refer to the noun.
● Sometimes we use a participle clause instead of a relative
clause (but don’t worry about that now).
What are relative pronouns?
● (Mostly) the same as question words:
● WHO refers to people
● WHICH refers to things
● THAT refers to people or things, informally in defining
relative clauses
● WHERE refers to places
● WHEN refers to times
● WHOSE shows possession
● WHY after the reason or reasons
Defining relative clauses:
● Give information about a noun to identify the noun more
clearly.
● Without these relative clauses, it is unclear which person
place or thing we are referring to.
● THAT can replace WHO or WHICH
● The relative pronoun can be left out if it refers to the
object.
● No commas
Defining relative clauses: Example Sentences
● Find someone who/that can collect your mail for you.
● Store away any objects which/that could become
damaging missiles if it gets too windy. (“Stow away any
objects if it gets too windy.” doesn’t tell you which objects
we are talking about.)
● Maybe there’s a neighbor (who/that) you can ask.
● In the evening, a house that’s dark can really stand out. (A
house’s very dark can really stand out. DOES NOT
MAKE SENSE).
Non-defining relative clauses:
● Add extra, non-essential information about something.
● Are more common in written English than in spoken
English
● Are separated from the main clause by commas
● Do NOT use the relative pronoun that
● Cannot leave out the relative pronoun
● Can refer to either a noun phrase, or to a whole clause
Non-defining relative clauses: Example Sentences
● The burglars got in through the kitchen window, which the owners
had forgotten to shut.
● A letterbox can become full of uncollected letters, which is a great
help to a burglar.
● Mr. Smith, who was my primary school teacher, got married last
week.
● My new house, which I have just redecorated, is much larger than my
old house.
● My neighbor, who lives upstairs, often looks after my flat.
● Some people seem to think it’s just a matter of locking all the doors,
which is fine as long as there are no nasty storms while you’re away.
In spoken English, when prepositions
are used with relative clauses, they
usually come at the end of the clause.

In formal English, when prepositions

are used with relative clauses, they can
be placed before “which” or “whom”.
For example:

● You may have a neighbour that you can rely on.

● I was unsuccessful in obtaining a place at any of the
universities to which I applied.
● My boss, for whom I have worked for over 30 years,
has decided to retire.
Defining relative clauses vs. Non-defining relative
clauses
● I applied to the university, which is in the centre of the city.
(There is only one university and the information about its
location is extra=non-defining).
● I applied to the university that is in the centre of the city. (There
is another university that is not in the centre=defining).
● My uncle, who lives in New York, is coming to visit. (You only
have one uncle, and the fact that he lives in New York is
extra=non-defining)
● My uncle who lives in New York is coming to visit. (Not your
other uncle who lives in Chicago=defining.)
Which relative clauses are defining? Which are
non-defining?
● Why not install lights which have a timer?
● Please welcome Mike Bowers, who is going to talk to us about how to look
after your home.
● These are dangerous if you live in a flat which is in a high-rise building.
● Find someone that can check on your home while you’re away.
● Store away any objects that could become damaging missiles.
● This is your home, the place where you keep your most treasured
possessions.
● Programme them to come on at times when you would normally be at home.
● You’re a person whose job involves a lot of travel.
● He lives in an old house, whose roof needs repairing.
Which relative clauses are defining? Which are
non-defining?
● Why not install lights which have a timer? DEFINING
● Please welcome Mike Bowers, who is going to talk to us about how to look
after your home. NON-DEFINING
● These are dangerous if you live in a flat which is in a high-rise building.
DEFINING
● Find someone that can check on your home while you’re away. DEFINING
● Store away any objects that could become damaging missiles. DEFINING
● This is your home, the place where you keep your most treasured
possessions. DEFINING
● Programme them to come on at times when you would normally be at home.
DEFINING
● You’re a person whose job involves a lot of travel. DEFINING
● He lives in an old house, whose roof needs repairing. NON-DEFINING
Infographic from: “Relative Clauses.” Not Only Grammar and Vocabulary, May 2017,
grammarandvocab.blogspot.com/2017/05/defining-relative-clauses-defining.html.
Delete the extra word.
1.
The boy who he sits next to me in class is called
Vladimir.
Delete the extra word.
1.
The boy who he sits next to me in class is called
Vladimir.
Delete the extra word.
2.
This book, which I started reading it last week, is
really funny.
Delete the extra word.
2.
This book, which I started reading it last week, is
really funny.
Delete the extra word.
3.
Jean, whose her mother is a nurse, wants to be a
doctor.
Delete the extra word.
3.
Jean, whose her mother is a nurse, wants to be a
doctor.
Delete the extra word.
4.
My mum and dad, who they got married fifteen
years ago, met over thirty years ago.
Delete the extra word.
4.
My mum and dad, who they got married fifteen
years ago, met over thirty years ago.
Delete the extra word.
5.
The jeans which I was telling you about them are
over there.
Delete the extra word.
5.
The jeans which I was telling you about them are
over there.

Adapted from: Mann, M. & Taylore-Knowles S. (2008).

Destination B1: Grammar and Vocabulary. MacMillan
English. (pp. 69-71)
???
0 and 1st Conditionals
Read the definition:

Therapy: treatment of a physical or mental

illness, often without the use of drugs
Listen to the radio programme and answer the
questions:
SpeakOut Intermediate Track 6.1

● Which two therapies does the programme talk about?

● The therapies are used in different situations. What
situations are mentioned in the programme?
Listen to the radio programme and answer the
questions:
SpeakOut Intermediate Track 6.1

● Which two therapies does the programme talk about?

destruction therapy and laughter therapy

● The therapies are used in different situations. What
situations are mentioned in the programme?

Destruction therapy--to help people when they are

stressed or angry; to help build a team

Laughter therapy--in hospitals to help with pain

Listen again. Are the statements true or false?
SpeakOut Intermediate Track 6.1

● 8 out of 10 people have trouble controlling their anger.

● With destruction therapy you use your anger to destroy
something in a controlled way.
● If you think about a situation when you were angry, the therapy
will be more enjoyable.
● In Spain, some companies pay for their workers to build hotels.
● In Mexico, they use destruction therapy in hospitals.
● Laughter therapy can help people feel less pain.
● On average, children laugh 100 times a day, and adults laugh
17 times.
Listen again. Are the statements true or false?
SpeakOut Intermediate Track 6.1
● 1 out of 10 people have trouble controlling their anger. FALSE
● With destruction therapy you use your anger to destroy something
in a controlled way. TRUE
● If you think about a situation when you were angry, the therapy will
be more satisfying. FALSE
● In Spain, some companies pay for their workers to destroy hotels.
FALSE
● In Mexico, they use laughter therapy in hospitals. FALSE
● Laughter therapy can help people feel less pain. TRUE
● On average, children laugh 400 times a day, and adults laugh 17
times. FALSE
What do you think of these ideas?
Which of the statements from the program are about
a general situation, and which are about a specific
future situation?
● When people get angry, they don’t know what to do with
their anger.
● When we get there, I’ll give you a hammer.
● If I smash the car to pieces, will I feel better?
● If people laugh about something, they feel better.
Which of the statements from the program are about
a general situation, and which are about a specific
future situation?
● When people get angry, they don’t know what to do with
their anger. GENERAL SITUATION
● When we get there, I’ll give you a hammer. SPECIFIC
FUTURE SITUATION
● If I smash the car to pieces, will I feel better? SPECIFIC
FUTURE SITUATION
● If people laugh about something, they feel better.
GENERAL SITUATION
Choose the correct option:
● Use the zero conditional (If/when+present simple+present
simple) to talk about a general/specific situation, or
something that is always true.
● Use the first conditional (If/when+present
simple+will/might /could to talk about a general/specific
(possible) situation in the future.
The rules:
● Use the zero conditional (If/when+present simple+present
simple) to talk about a general situation, or something
that is always true.
● Use the first conditional (If/when+present
simple+will/might /could to talk about a specific (possible)
situation in the future.
0 Conditional: Use
● Talk about general situations or situations which are
always true
● If/when can come at the beginning or in the middle of the
sentence
● In 0 Conditionals, if and when have the same meaning
0 Conditional: Form

If/When Present Simple Present Simple

0 Conditional: Examples
● When you heat water to 100* Centigrade it boils.
● If plants don’t have water, they die.
● Ice melts if you heat it.
● My boss gets angry if I’m not in the office by 8 a.m.
● When I’m feeling stressed, I eat chocolate.
1st Conditional: Use
● To talk about possible situations in the future and their
consequences.
● If you are sure of the result, use will/won’t. If you’re not
sure, use could/might.
● We can change the order of the clauses, but the if/when
clause always uses the present simple.
● If means you are not sure the situation will happen.
● When means you are sure the situation will happen.
● Unless means “if not” or “except in this situation”.
1st Conditional: Form

will/could/might
If/When Present Simple
+infinitive
1st Conditional: Examples
● If you give me your phone number, I’ll call you when we’re
ready.
● When you go into the kitchen, you’ll see the keys on the
table.
● I’ll meet you at 10 o’clock if my train arrives on time.
● If I pass my exams, I’ll be very happy.
● When I pass my exams, I’ll have a party.
● I’ll go straight to the restaurant unless you call me first.
0 Conditional vs. 1st Conditional

If you sit in the sun, you get sunburn. (0 Conditional for a

general situation/fact. “You” means anyone, or people in
general).

If you sit in the sun, you’ll get sunburn. (1st Conditional for a
specific situation. I’m talking to you personally about what will
happen today).
1.
You can’t come to the conference unless/if/when
you’re invited.
1.
You can’t come to the conference unless you’re
invited.
2.
I’m not talking to you unless/if/when you calm down
first.
2.
I’m not talking to you unless you calm down first.
3.
They’ll arrive as soon as dinner is/will be/won’t be
ready.
3.
They’ll arrive as soon as dinner is ready.
4.
They’ll cancel the flight if/unless/when the weather is
bad.
4.
They’ll cancel the flight if the weather is bad.
5.
If you eat all of that chocolate mousse, you ‘ll
feel/feel/won’t feel ill.
5.
If you eat all of that chocolate mousse, you ‘ll feel ill.
6.
We’ll organize a taxi when we know/will know/ might
know what time the concert starts.
6.
We’ll organize a taxi when we know what time the
concert starts.
7.
When I see a spider, I always scream/might
scream/will scream.
7.
When I see a spider, I always scream.
8.
I’ll get some money as soon as the bank will
open/opens/might open.
8.
I’ll get some money as soon as the bank opens.

Adapted from: Clare, A. & Wilson, J. (2011). SpeakOut Intermediate

Students’ Book. Pearson Longman. (p. 139)
???
Sources:
Clare, A. & Wilson, J. (2011). SpeakOut Intermediate Students’ Book. Pearson Longman (pp.
69; 138-139).

Hopkins, D. & Cullen P. (2007). Cambridge Grammar for IELTS. Cambridge University
Press. (pp. 173-183).

Mabel, Joe. “West Cornwall, CT - Old House 01.Jpg.” WIkimedia Commons, 30 Mar. 2012,
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:West_Cornwall,_CT_-_old_house_01.jpg.

Mann, M. & Taylore-Knowles S. (2008). Destination B1: Grammar and Vocabulary.

MacMillan English. (pp. 69-71)

“Relative Clauses.” Not Only Grammar and Vocabulary, May 2017,

grammarandvocab.blogspot.com/2017/05/defining-relative-clauses-defining.html.