Relative Clauses:

Relative clauses are descriptive clauses that say something about a noun that precedes them. Relative clauses often
begin with relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that, whose) or relative adverbs (where, when, why). (Who and
Whom) are used if the noun preceding the relative clause is a person. (Whom) can be used only if that noun is an
object. If the noun preceding the relative clause is an object, the relative pronoun can be omitted.

Examples:

The boy paints good pictures. I saw the boy. (Link using a relative clause.)

I saw the boy (who/that paints good pictures).

I don't know the girl. The girl is sitting next to the door. (Link using a relative clause.)

I don't know the girl ((who/that is) sitting next to the door).

The man is my friend. You met the man yesterday. (Link using a relative clause.)

The man ((who/whom/that) you met yesterday) is my friend.

(Which) is used if the noun preceding the relative clause is a thing (not a person). (That) can be used in both cases
(with persons and things).

Examples:

I didn't read the book. You gave me the book last week. (Link using a relative clause.)

I didn't read the book ((which/that) you gave me last week).

The storm destroyed many houses. The storm hit the country. (Link using a relative clause.)

The storm (which/that hit the country) destroyed many houses.

(Whose) is used if we have a possession relationship.

Example:

The people remained homeless. Their houses were destroyed in the storm. (Link using a relative clause.)

The people (whose houses were destroyed in the storm) remained homeless.

(Where) is used if the noun preceding the relative clause is a place.

Example:

This is the house. I lived in it for ten years. (Link using a relative clause.)

This is the house (where I lived for ten years).

(When) is used if the noun preceding the relative clause is a time expression.

Example:

He cursed the day. He was born on that day. (Link using a relative clause.)

He cursed the day (when he was born).

(Why) is used after the word (reason).

He left the country. I don't know the reason. (Link using a relative clause.)

I don't know the reason (why he left the country).

Exercise 1:

Fill in the blanks with suitable relative pronouns:

The car, ----------- driver is a young man, is from Ireland.

We spent two days in Berlin, _________ we took a walking tour of the city.
Edgar Allan Poe, ________ wrote the famous poem "The Raven," was born in Boston in 1809.
He has climbed Mount McKinley, _______ is the highest mountain in the United States.
I met a woman ________ husband works for the government.
I bought the toy _______ my son wanted for Christmas.
I talked to the girl ---------- car had broken down in front of the shop.
The employee ______ won the award has been promoted.
This is the book _______ helped me understand English grammar.

Exercise 2:
Link using relative clauses:

She worked for a man (the man used to be an athlete).

A lion is an animal. It is very strong.

2) They called a lawyer (the lawyer lived nearby).

3) I sent an email to my brother (my brother lives in Australia).

4) The customer liked the waitress (the waitress was very friendly).

6) I dropped a glass (the glass was new).

7) She loves books (the books have happy endings).

8) They live in a city (the city is in the north of England).

9) The man is in the garden (the man is wearing a blue jumper).

10) The girl works in a bank (the girl is from India).

Exercise 3:
Complete the sentences with relative clauses in simple present.
1. This is the man (work at the station).
2. The tree (grow in the garden) is an apple tree.
3. The man (go jogging) every Friday is my neighbour.
4. The elephants (live in Africa) have big ears.
5. Turn left at the yellow house (be opposite) the petrol station.