RELATIVE CLAUSES

Las oraciones de relativo describen sustantivos y pronombres denominados

antecedentes. Los pronombres y adverbios relativos aparecen detrs de los
antecedentes:
A- TIPOS DE ORACIN DE RELATIVO:
- Amplifying or non-defining clauses (explicativas): Son independientes,
amplan el significado del antecedente pero no lo limitan. Pueden omitirse sin
que cambie sustancialmente el significado de la frase.
Van entre comas: relativo

The miners, \who \are not well paid, went on strike.

Los mineros, que estn mal pagados, fueron a la huelga
2- Restrictive or defining clauses (especificativas): Dependen del sustantivo al
que califican y su omisin cambiara el significado de la frase: relativo
The miners \who \ went on strike will be dismissed.
Los mineros que fueron a la huelga sern despedidos.
B-

USO DE LOS RELATIVOS EN ORACIONES EXPLICATIVAS

1- PRONOMBRES:
Subject

Object

Possessive

For persons

Who

Whom/who

Whose

For things

Which

Which

Whose/of which

El pronombre nunca puede omitirse en las oraciones explicativas. Ejemplos:

SUJETO PERSONA
Peter, who is very pessimistic, says there will be no apples this year.
SUJETO COSA
This train, which is usually very punctual, was late today.
OBJETO PERSONA
Peter, whom everyone suspected. was innocent.
She introduced me to her husband, whom I hadn't met before.
OBJETO COSA
These books, which you can get at any bookshop, will give you all the information.
She gave me this jumper, which she had knitted it herself.
POSESIVO PERSONA
Ann, whose children are at school, is trying to get a job.
POSESIVO COSA
His house, whose windows were all broken, was a depressing sight
ADVERBIOS RELATIVOS
WHERE; The new caf, where my friend work, is very busy
WHEN; my birthday party, when I last saw Mandy, was a lot of fun.

USO DE LOS RELATIVOS EN ORACIONES ESPECIFICATIVAS:

1-PRONOMBRES
SUJETO

OBJETO*

POSESIVO

PERSONA

Who/that

Who/that

Whose

COSA

Which/that

Which/that

Whose/of which

SUJETO PERSONA
The woman who sold you the shirt has been dismissed.
The woman that sold you the shirt has been dismissed.
SUJETO COSA
The stairs which lead to the cellar are rather dirty.
The stairs that lead to the cellar are rather dirty.
OBJETO PERSONA
The man who I saw spoke in French.
The man that I saw spoke in French.
The man I saw spoke in French. * (el pronombre relativo puede omitirse
cuando funciona como objeto de la oracin)
OBJETO COSA
The car which I bought was destroyed by s bomb.
The car that I bought was destroyed by a bomb.
The car I bought was destroyed by a bomb.* (el pronombre relativo puede
omitirse cuando funciona como objeto de la oracin)
POSESIVO PERSONA
The film was about a spy whose wife betrays him.
POSESIVO COSA
A house whose walls were made of glass.
A house of which walls were made of glass.
OBJETO PREPOSICIN PERSONA
The man with whom I was travelling spoke French
The man who/that I was travelling with spoke in French.
The man I was travelling with spoke in French*.(se puede omitir el pronombre)
OBJETO PREPOSICIN COSA
The ladder on which I was standing began to slip.
The ladder which/that I was standing on began to slip.
The ladder I was standing on began to slip*.(se puede omitir el pronombre)

2- ADVERBIOS RELATIVOS:
a- WHERE: This is the hotel where they were staying.
b- WHEN: 1978 s the year when he was born.
b- WHY: The reason why she left is unknown.

A relative clause gives information about the subject or the object of a

sentence. It immediately follows the noun it describes and often begins with a
relative pronoun.
A defining clause identifies what it refers to. A non-defining clause gives
additional information about something that is already clearly defined/
identified. Non-defining clauses are separated by commas from the rest of the
sentence and can be left out without affecting the meaning.
WHO

Used for people

The people who work there are all my friends

(def.)
Mr. Collins, who lives next door to me, is an
engineer (non-def)

WHICH

Used for things and animals

They enjoy living in the house which they

rented last year.
Madrid, which is central in Spain, is he highest
capital city in Europe.

THAT

Replaces who or which in Can you smell the beautiful flowers that she
defining clauses only.
bought?
Often used after words Heres the boy that broke our window
like: all, none, little, few, There is nothing that can be done
anything.
Used after superlatives.

She is the kindest woman that I have ever met.

WHOM

Used in formal English for This is the boy whom I met on the train.
people; replaces the object I think he is the man to whom you must apply
for an interview.
Mr and Mrs Jones, with whom we spent our
holiday, live in London.

WHERE

Used
for
places
and The school where I studied has been closed.
replaces words like there, New York, where my cousin lives, is called the
here.
Big Apple

WHOSE

Used for possession and The man whose car was stolen has called the
replaces words like Peters, police.
her, his, its
The Palace of Versailles, whose gardens are very
beautiful, is located just outside in Paris.

WHEN
(THAT)

Used for time.

Often replaces words like
the year, the month
That often replaces when

I remember when we first met.

Every year in June, when the weather is usually
mild, the Wimbledon Tennis tournament is held.
Ill never forget the time that we went fishing.

Who, which and that can be omitted from a defining clause when it is the
object of the verb in the relative clause. This is common in spoken English.
This is the book (that/which) I borrowed last year.
She is the girl (that/ who) I spoke to yesterday.

Relative Clauses:
Defining sentences: No commas:
Who (people)

Mrs Clark is an old lady who has a lot of pets

Mrs Clark who my mother helps is nice.

THAT

NO RELATIVE

Which (things) The cage which is on the shelf is full of pencils.

The book which I bought yesterday is about animals.
Whose (possessive)

Frank is the boy whose father works in this

hospital
Where (place)

That is the office where my mother works now.

When (time)

The day when we met was last Thursday

Whom (direct object; people; =who)

The boy to whom you are

talking is Paul!

Non- defining sentences: between commas:

Who (people)

J.K.Rowling, who is a single mother, wrote Harry P.

NO THAT

RELATIVE
Which (things) The car, which they are driving, is mine.

Whose (possessive)

J.K. Rowling, whose books Ive read, is a single

mother.
Where (place)

The shop, where I used to buy CDs, is now

closed
When (time)

The day, when we met, was last Thursday

Whom (direct object; people; =who)

talking, is Paul

The boy, to whom you are

MEANING:
The miners, who arent well paid, are on strike.

The miners who arent well paid are on strike.

RELATIVES

Join these sentences with a relative and omit it when possible:

1. The man is our friend. He works with Frank.

___________________________________________________________________
______
2. The man is our friend. His wife was in the supermarket.
___________________________________________________________________
______
3. The house was expensive. We saw it yesterday.
___________________________________________________________________
______
4. The book is about dogs. I lent it to John.
___________________________________________________________________
______

5. The carpet is pretty. She bought it last week.

___________________________________________________________________
______
6. The parcel contains a vase. George is going to sent it.
___________________________________________________________________
______
7. All the letters arrived on Monday. Susan sent them.
___________________________________________________________________
______
8. The boy is Peter. His friends are in the park.
___________________________________________________________________
______
9. The girls came to the party. They were Sarahs friends.
___________________________________________________________________
______
10. The girl is my sister. Her skirt is green.
___________________________________________________________________
______
Complete these sentences using relatives. Omit them whenever is
possible:
1. The man .spoke first is an old friend of mine.
2. The boyraised his hand always know the answer.
3. The film..we saw last night was awful.
4. The man..you met yesterday is the Bank Manager.
5. My son John, .. is always hungry, ate twelve sandwiches.
6. The girl.you admire so much is coming to the party.
7. Gladys,loves clothes more than anything else, has just
opened a boutique.
8. The students,.. are often late, were punished yesterday.
9. The person.you helped the other day is a famous actor.
10.
The boy cap I found on the street lives upstairs.
11.
The people..tape recorder we are using want it
back.
12.
This is the car ..I won on the race.
13.
My old car,.is always breaking down at the
worst moment, needs a new engine.
14.
The River Thames,runs through London, is
the longest river in England.
15.
The books ..are in my desk are Peters.
16.
My father, ..ideas are quite old-fashioned, dislikes
boys with long hairs.
17.
The dog.bit Peter belongs to Mrs. Murphy.

18.
Tony, with.. I had a long conversation , seems very
sensible to me.
19.
The house, the windows of.are painted green,
belonged to my great-grandfather.
20.
The first thing..we must do is wash dishes.
21.
My friends,have been to India, told us many
curious things about that country.
Who, whose, which/that or where?
Complete the sentences using who, whose, which/ that or where:
1. That is the boy ______________ motorbike I borrowed.
2. The woman ______________ answered the telephone said Mr. Jones
wasnt there.
3. Where are the keys _____________were on this table a moment ago?
4. My parents still live in the town ________________ I was born .
5. I know someone _____________ cam help you.
6. That is the book ______________ I told you about.
7. Is that the couple ____________car was stolen?
8. Do you remember the name of the hotel _____________ we stayed on
holiday?
9. Have you found the money____________ you lost?
10. Is the man _____________ married Elsies sister?
Leaving out who, which and that.
Thick () those sentences where it is possible to leave out who, which or
that. Put a cross () next to those sentences where it is not possible to leave
out who, which or that.
(1) Apollo XI was the spaceship which took Armstrong and Aldrin to the moon.
(2) There is a car that we saw outside the cinema last night.
(3) So you know the girl who is standing over there in the corner?
(4) The people who we met last night were from Australia.
(5) I picked up the envelope which was lying on the floor.
(6) Have you seen the new film that is on at the ABC cinema?
(7) This is the new jacket that I bought last Saturday.
(8) Barry Miles is the man who I was talking to just now.
(9) What was the name of the woman who wrote Frankenstein?
(10)

Look. Thats the girl who lives next door, isnt it?

Complete the sentences using who or which; but only if necessary leave a
blank if possible:
1. Is that the woman ________ you told me about?

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Is that the woman _________works in the bank?

The chair __________was broken had been repaired.
these are the shoes __________I bought last week.
Sis you see he keys _________were on this table?
I had coffee with the girl _______lives next door.
Did you see he letter __________come yesterday?
I lost the stamps __________ I bought this morning.
9. Robert is the boy ___________ we met yesterday.

Complete each sentence using who, which/that, whose or where and an idea
from the box:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Alexander Bell was the man

A launderette is a place
A thermometer is something
An architect is someone
A teetotaller is someone
a widow is a woman
a widower is a man
a vegetarian is someone
a lawnmower is something
Indira Gandhi was the woman

a. does not eat meat or fish.

b. measures the temperature.
c. become Indias first woman Primer Minister.
d. does not drink alcohol.
e. invented the telephone.
f. you can wash clothes.
g. cuts grass.
h. wife is dead.
i. designs buildings.
j. husband is dead.

Complete with the right relative, when more than one option is possible
write it down:
1. Mark, ..has been ill for six months, is starting working next week.
2. The radio programme I hear everyday is great!
3. The house.my parents bought has been very expensive.
4. Rita friends are over there came yesterday from Memphis.
5. That restaurant,is my favourite, has the best pancakes.
6. That restaurant..I eat everyday is really cheap.
7. That restaurant..owner is my friend has the best pancakes.
8. My computer,.I bought last week, is broken.
9. This exercise is about relatives is very easy.
10. The hotel .we stayed on our holidays was near the beach.
11. The high school ..I studied is now closed.
12. Peter, .. gave me that ring, has gone to America.
13. My grandma is always ill has gone to the doctor.
14. The mother of my father, is my grandmother, lives with us.
15. The train..I have to catch was late.

16.
17.
18.
19.

Sally .is coming now is really stupid.

This table ..we bought when we went to Portugal is really nice.
My boss ..is really nice is going to get married.
His girlfriend also works here is the most beautiful I have ever
seen.
20. The priestcomes every Sunday is really old.
Join the sentences:
1. The house is very old. I live in it.
_________________________
2. Charles
is
already
30.
His
birthday
is
next
week.
_________________________
3. The chair is broken. I bought it on a sale.
_________________________
4. The
clock
was
very
expensive.
My
grandma
sent
it.
_________________________
5. Paul came to the party. He is my neighbour.
_________________________
6. Sara failed all her subjects. She never studies.
_________________________
7. The teacher lives in front of the school. She is always
late.______________________
8. The DVD was on sale. We saw it in that shop.
_________________________
9. The
journalist
went
to
Iran.
His
wife
is
very
upset.
_________________________
10. Madrid is a big city. We lived there.
_________________________
Relative Sentences:
1. The house was really big. They bought it last year.
2. Mark is my best friend. I met him three years ago.
3. My computer has got a virus. It is new.
4. The telephone doesnt stop ringing. It is in the living room.
5. Paris is the most romantic city. I spend there my honeymoon.
6. We have to go walking for four hours. Our car has broken down.
7. The shop is selling out. I used to buy clothes there.
8. The shop is selling out. It is in Central Street.
9. My grandmother is really old. She lives in Madrid.
10. Peters secretary is really ugly. Her skirts are too short.
11. That picture was great. You show it to me yesterday.

12. That radio programme is the best. I listen to it everyday.

13. Tattoos are made in that shop. They are really expensive.
14. Tattoos are made in that shop. I dont like them.
15. That shop is really expensive. Tattoos are made there.
16. They were given a sentence. It was quite harsh
The sentence
17. The robbers stole some money. It wasnt very much.
The car
18. The men were driving a car. It has been stolen.
The car
19. The women were sent to a prison. It was in the next country.
The prison
20. They opened the suitcase. It contained drugs.
The suitcase
Join the sentences below with commas and who, which and whose:
1. Billy the Kid was born in New York in 1869. His real name was William
Bonney.
2. Billy killed 21 people. He was himself shot dead when he was 21.
3. The famous bank robber, Jesse James, was shot dead by a friend called
Bob Ford. Bob Ford later received a reward.
4. Wyatt Earp took part in the famous OK Corral shootout. It took place n
1881.
5. Wyatt was both an outlaw and a lawman. He died a peaceful death at the
age of 80.
Complete with who, which, whose, when, where:
1. I will never forget the day ____________we met.
2. Jane bought the CD ________________she had always wanted.
3. Im looking for the person _____________had lost this bag.
4. This is my neighbour_________________ daughter is a famous actress.
5. I failed the exam ________________I took last Monday.
6. We visited the town_______________ William Shakespeare was born.