This document defines and explains relative clauses and relative pronouns. It provides examples of different types of relative pronouns that can be used including who/that for people, which/that for objects, where for places, why for reasons, when for time, whose for possession, and whom for the object of a preposition. It discusses when relative pronouns can be omitted and common mistakes to avoid when using relative pronouns. Finally, it provides exercises translating sentences into English using relative pronouns correctly.

1. 1.Definition
A relative clause is a part of a sentence beginning
with a relative pronoun (although this pronoun can be
omitted in certain cases). It gives additional information
about something
RELATIVE CLAUSES

2. Can you notice any difference in
their meaning?

5. Basic relatives
The relatives you use depends on the thing you're talking
about. the most basic ones are these:
for people who/that
for objects which/that
for places where
for reasons why
for time
for possession
when
whose

6. -An architect...
-A shop assistant ........................
-A vegetarian...
-A customer...
- A lawyer ...

7. 7
Usually a pronoun refers to a noun but in this case it can
be used to refer to the whole part of the sentence that
went before.
My dad has broken his leg, which worries me
I've still got some money left, which is surprising
WHICH
.

8. This is used to show possession. It can always be used for people and
animals, but also for things.
My pupils, whose homework is never done, will fail the
exam.
The city, whose football team lost the match, never wins
anything.
WHOSE

9. WHOM
*It sounds very formal to most people. Therefore, it is hardly ever
used in spoken English.
*If you're going to use it, then only use it after prepositions.
The boy to whom I was talking is my cousin
*However, there's usually another less formal way to say the same
thing.
The boy that/who I was talking to is my cousin

10. Use the correct
Relative Pronoun

11. -The hotel _________ we stayed
was very good for the price

12. -The hotel WHERE we stayed was
very good for the price

13. -The books, ___________ I ´d ordered over the
internet, took nearly three weeks to arrive

14. -The books, WHICH* I ´d ordered over the
internet, took nearly three weeks to arrive

15. -My parents, __________ were born in north
Wales, moved to London to find work

16. -My parents, WHO* were born in north Wales,
moved to London to find work

17. -The employee to __________ you refer is no
longer working here.

18. -The employee to WHOM* you refer is no longer
working here

19. -My neighbour, __________ son is studying in
Germany, is quite impolite.

20. -My neighbour, WHOSE son is studying in
Germany, is quite impolite.

21. SUBJECT OR OBJECT?
The woman who was talking to David suffered from heart problems
SUBJECT VERB
The woman who I was talking to suffered from heart problems
OBJECT SUBJECT VERB
When the Relative Pronoun is the object it can be
omitted:
The woman I was talking to suffered from heart problems

22. Can we omit the relative in the following sentences?
1. The person who works at that shop is really friendly.
2. The boy who we met yesterday is very nice.
3. Does the bus that goes to the airport stop here?
4. The man who I saw yesterday is on holiday.
5. A hat is a thing which people wear on their head.
6. The student who is wearing the red shirt is very funny

23. USUAL MISTAKES
1. The girls who they work at that shop are really friendly. X
2. Does the bus that it goes to the airport stop here? X
3. I have a friend who he works at the airport. X
4. Where are the flowers that they were on the table? X
5. Did you see the gift that I bought it for your mother? X

24. TRANSLATE INTO ENGLISH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES:
1. La gente que estaba al lado de nosotros son amigos míos.
2. Juan trabaja para una empresa que tiene muchos empleados en el extranjero.
3. ¿Cogiste el periódico que estaba sobre la mesa?
4. No envié el mensaje que me tú me diste ayer.
5. A la mayoría de la gente que le gusta la fruta le gusta las verduras.
6. Mi vecino, que trabaja en la afueras de la ciudad, no sabe la noticia.
7. Mi profesor de química, cuyo coche está en el mecánico, vino caminando.
8. España es el país que tiene más paro en la Unión Europea.
9. ¿Conoces al chico cuya madre es enfermera?
10. ¿hablaste con la chica con la que yo trabajé hace 2 años?
* Omit the relative if it’s possible!!