GRAMMAR.

RELATIVE CLAUSES.

Level C1 Week 3 Lesson 4

Asynchronous
A relative clause is a subordinate clause that contains
the element whose interpretation is provided by an
expression on which the subordinate clause is
grammatically dependent.
We use relative clauses to give additional information
about something without starting another sentence.

e.g. A notebook is a computer which can be carried

around.

Einstein, who was born in Germany, is famous for his

theory of relativity.
 TASK 1.1. Based on the given mind map write the answer to the
question “How is relative clause 1 different from relative clause 2?”
TASK 1.2.Based on the given table write the answers to the questions “Which
relative pronouns can be replaced by that? Which relative pronouns can be
removed altogether?”
 TASK 2.1. Rewrite the sentences to include a defining relative
clause, using the information in brackets.
1 Some doubts were raised about the quality of the questionnaire. (The group used it in
the research.)
________________________________________________________________________________________
2 Hewitt questioned the experience of the software engineers. (Wentworth plc recruited
them.)
________________________________________________________________________________________

3 The director later wrote a memoir. (He pioneered the tracking shot.)
________________________________________________________________________________________
 TASK 2.1. Rewrite the sentences to include a defining relative
clause, using the information in brackets.
1 Some doubts were raised about the quality of the questionnaire. (The group used it in
the research.) Some doubts were raised about the quality of the questionnaire which/that
the group used in the research.
________________________________________________________________________________________
2 Hewitt questioned the experience of the software engineers. (Wentworth plc recruited
them.) Hewitt questioned the experience of the software engineers who/that Wentworth plc
recruited.
________________________________________________________________________________________

3 The director later wrote a memoir. (He pioneered the tracking shot.)
The director who pioneered the tracking shot later wrote a memoir.
________________________________________________________________________________________
 TASK 2.2. Rewrite the sentences to include a non-defining
relative clause, using the information in brackets.
1 In a case of gross misconduct an employer may fire an employee immediately. (This
includes theft.)
______________________________________________________________________________________
2 Turkey has land borders with eight countries. (This has frequently led to a kind of
diplomatic balancing act.)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3 Vegetable oils have seen recent volatility in their spot price. (They are traded as
commodities.)
________________________________________________________________________________________
 TASK 2.2. Rewrite the sentences to include a non-defining
relative clause, using the information in brackets.
1 In a case of gross misconduct an employer may fire an employee immediately. (This
includes theft.) In a case of gross misconduct, which includes theft, an employer may fire an
employee immediately.
______________________________________________________________________________________
2 Turkey has land borders with eight countries. (This has frequently led to a kind of
diplomatic balancing act.) Turkey has land borders with eight countries, which has frequently led
to a kind of diplomatic balancing act.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3 Vegetable oils have seen recent volatility in their spot price. (They are traded as
commodities.) Vegetable oils, which are traded as commodities, have seen recent volatility
in their spot price.
________________________________________________________________________________________
 TASK 3. Complete each sentence with one or two words. If no
words are necessary, write – .

1 New employees should have a mentor from ______________ they can obtain advice.
2 Coca-Cola is an example of a company ______________ brand has undeniably passed the
worldwide recognition test.
3 All of the scientists _______________ she met expressed their doubts over the viability of cold
fusion as an energy source.
4 The government has proposed an amendment to the legislation, the aim _______________ is
to restrict the number of local radio stations that can be owned by one person.
 TASK 3. Complete each sentence with one or two words. If no
words are necessary, write – .
whom
1 New employees should have a mentor from ______________ they can obtain advice.
whose
2 Coca-Cola is an example of a company ______________ brand has undeniably passed the
worldwide recognition test.
–
3 All of the scientists _______________ she met expressed their doubts over the viability of cold
fusion as an energy source.
of which
4 The government has proposed an amendment to the legislation, the aim _______________ is
to restrict the number of local radio stations that can be owned by one person.
 TASK 4. Complete each sentence with one of the phrases in
the box. Two phrases are not needed.
from whom with whom
in which to which at which
neither of which from whose

1 Several charities have criticized Westminster Council for the way ____________________ it has cut
funding to the shelter for homeless people in Charing Cross.
2 If these types of fault occur in a bridge, there are two options for repair, ____________________ is
cheap.
3 The rebel leaders ____________________ the negotiations were conducted seemed unwilling to
make any concessions.
4 A break-even analysis determines ____________________ point sales cover the production costs.
5 John Loudon McAdam was a Scottish engineer ____________________ name the road-surfacing
material tarmac (or tarmacadam) is derived.
 TASK 4. Complete each sentence with one of the phrases in
the box. Two phrases are not needed.
from whom with whom
in which to which at which
neither of which from whose

in which
1 Several charities have criticized Westminster Council for the way ____________________ it has cut
funding to the shelter for homeless people in Charing Cross.
neither of which is
2 If these types of fault occur in a bridge, there are two options for repair, ____________________
cheap.
with whom
3 The rebel leaders ____________________ the negotiations were conducted seemed unwilling to
make any concessions.
at which
4 A break-even analysis determines ____________________ point sales cover the production costs.
from whose
5 John Loudon McAdam was a Scottish engineer ____________________ name the road-surfacing
material tarmac (or tarmacadam) is derived.
 Key assignment. Write two sentences using one
defining relative clause and one non-defining
relative clause and include them in the problem
paragraph of your problem-solution essay.

Resources
• De Chazal, E., & McCarter, S. (2015). Oxford EAP. A Course in English for
Academic Purposes. Upper-intermediate / B2.

• Paterson, K. (2013). Oxford Grammar for EAP. London: Oxford University Press.
Now do the quiz in Ms
Teams