Relative Clauses

Learn about the structure and usage of restrictive vs non-restrictive relative clauses.

Video Lesson

Relative clauses are subordinate clauses that modify a noun or a noun phrase. They provide additional information about the noun they refer to.

Remember: Relative clauses begin with a relative pronoun!

Relative Pronouns

  • who: refers to a person (subject of the verb)
  • which: refers to things or animals
  • that: refers to things or animals
  • where: refers to a place
  • whose: refers to possession
  • why: refers to a reason
  • whom: refers to a person (object of the verb)

Restrictive Relative Clauses

Restrictive relative clauses provide essential information about the noun they modify. They are not separated by commas.

  • The student who got the best score last year is my brother.

Non-Restrictive Relative Clauses

Non-restrictive relative clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the noun they modify. They are separated by commas.

  • My friend Amine, whose father is a doctor, is funny.

Practice: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate relative pronoun.

Relative pronoun: who - whom - whose - which - where - why

1. Bill Gates, was the founder and CEO of Microsoft, promotes education in poor districts.

2. Students got the best scores will receive a prize.

3. The lady I met is my French teacher.

4. Marrakech is the city I was born.

5. The reason he went to the US is to study.

6. My friend Sara, father is a teacher, is very smart.

7. The book I read last week is about brain drain.

8. Writers, books are about personal development, are making a lot of money.

8. The person to I was taking a while ago is going to help find a university scholarship.

10. The restaurant we had lunch last week is very popular on social media.