RELATIVE CLAUSES

Listen to the conversation between two school girls in the canteen:

Lan: Well, I saw Nam the other day.
Alice: Nam? The boy who plays football very well.
Lan: Oh. No. That’s Tam. Nam is the boy who often plays truant. He’s now working part-time in Trung
Nguyen Shop. You know, the shop that sells expensive coffee and milk tea.

- Relative clauses give us more information about the subject and the object of the previous sentences.
- Relative clauses identify which person or thing we are talking about.
- Relative clauses are often introduced by: who, which, that, whom and whose.
1. Who: “Who” refers to people ( Subject/Object)
 E.g: The nurse who took care of us last night is very polite
 E.g: The doctor who my father met yesterday is famous
2. Whom: “Whom” refers to people (Object)
 E.g: The nurse whom/who we met last night is very polite
(Whom is more common in writing)
3. Which: “Which” refers to things
 E.g: The car which took sick people to hospital belongs to my uncle
4. That: “That” can be used to replace “who/which/whom” in informal language
 E.g: The man that/who works for my company is kind-hearted
5. Whose: “Whose” refers to people/ things (possessive meaning)
* E.g: I know the lady whose car got a puncture on the way home
* Notes:
- The relative pronoun can define the subject or the object of a clause:
* E.g: He is the doctor who works for Dong Nai Hospital. ( Subject )
Remember: The relative pronoun cannot only be omitted when it is the subject of the clause

* E.g: She is the singer (that/who / whom) I admire ( Object) .

* E.g: This is the song( that/ which) my father wrote in his childhood.( Object).
Remember: The relative pronoun can be omitted when it is the object of the clause

DEFINING AND NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES

DEFINING NON-DEFINING
* E.g1: She’s the lady who lent me her cell * E.g1: Ann, who has just passed the entrance exam, is
phone my sister
* E.g2: Lan’s brother who is a dentist visited
us last Sunday * E.g2:
* Explanation: Xem vi dụ 2, Lan có hơn 1 anh Lan’s brother, who is a dentist, visited us last Sunday;
trai * Explanation: Xem vi dụ 2, Lan chỉ có 1 anh trai

* Notes: * Notes:
Defining relative clauses Non-Defining relative clauses
- give essential information - give extra information
- do not need commas in them - need commas in them
- are used in definitions - In non-defining relative clauses, who/which cannot be
e.g: A writer is a person who writes books or replaced with that.
articles to be published.
- Object pronouns in non-defining relative clauses must be
used.
e.g: Tom, who/whom we met yesterday, is a nice doctor.
Exercise 1:Fill in each gap with suitable relative pronoun: which, that ,whose, whom, who, where, when,
why
1. We visited children _______ parents are dead.
2. Do you have a good relationship with the person ______ lives next door to you.
3. The student ______ did this exercise might be very intelligent.
4. I’ll catch the train ______ leaves at 10 a.m.
5. Ly Duc,_______ won 2 gold medal at the Games, comes from Vietnam.
6. He can’t swim, ______ makes me surprised.
7. We are visiting Ha Long, ______ is in the north of Viet Nam.
8. I’m staying with the boy ______ brother looks very handsome.
9. He talked about the books and writers _______ made us bored.
10. This is the photo _______ was taken yesterday.
11. Henry, _____ you’ll met tomorrow , is also a member of the board .
12. Can you answer the questions ______ I ask you?
13. The lady _____ son went on a picnic with us last weekend is a teacher at our school.
14. The woman ______ book I borrowed is very generous.
15. I’ll never forget the day ____I first met her.
16. This is the hotel _____ we stayed last summer.
17. Tell me the reason_____ you have cancelled the tour.
18. The year _____ we came to live here was 1975.
19. I wish to see the factory ______ your father used to work.
20. That’s the house ______ I was born in.
21 The city ______ I lived as a child has been pulled down.
22. We’re going to London, _____is famous for Big Ben.
23. This house, ______ Pele used to live, is being made into a museum.

Exercise 2:Explain the words in the blank using the suggestions in the box
a. train people in sport i. assist other women in childbirth
b. buy something from a shop j. work at schools
c. write plays k. steal things
d. ride a bicycle l. sell newspapers and magazines from a shop .
e. take part in Games m . study at schools or college (university).
f. drive a vehicle n . believe that all wars are wrong
g. is not brave o. steal something from a shop
h. pay rent to live in hose or flat p. break into a house to steal things
1. (a driver ) : A driver is a person(someone) who drives a vehicle
2. (a midwife) ………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. (a teacher ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. (a customer) ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. (a cyclist ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. (a playwright) ……………………………………………………………………………………………...
7. (a shoplifter ) …………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. (a newsagent ) ……………………………………………………………………………………………..
9. (a student ) ……………………………………………………………………………………………….
10. (an athlete ) ……………………………………………………………………………………………….
11. (a coach ) ……………………………………………………………………………………………….
12. (a pacifist ) ……………………………………………………………………………………………….
13. (a tenant) ………………………………………………………………………………………………….
14. (a burglar) …………………………………………………………………………………………………
15. (a coward) …………………………………………………………………………………………………
Exercise 3: Combine these sentences using :That , which ,who, whom or whose
1. She is the most intelligent woman. I’ve ever met this woman.
2. This doctor is famous. You visited him yesterday.
3. Mary and Margaret are twins. You met them yesterday.
4. Colin told me about his new job. He enjoys it very much.
5. The girl chatted with him yesterday. She arrived here at 6: 30
6. I’ll introduce you to the man. His support is necessary for your project.
7. I saw a lot of people and horses. They went to market.
8. That car belongs to Dr. Clark. Its engine is very good.
9. Max isn’t home yet. That worries me.
10. Hoan Kiem Lake is a historical place. Its water is always blue.
11. Mr Carter is very interested in our plan. I spoke to him on the phone last night .
12. We’ll meet Mary next week. She has 2 brothers and one sister.
13. We spent our holiday in Singapore last week. It is in the South East Asia.
14. We are visiting Ha Long. Ha Long is in the north of Vietnam.
*Notes
Chú ý cách dùng của các cấu trúc mở đầu cho mệnh đề quan hệ: all, most, none, neither, any, either, some,
(a)few, both, half, each, one, two, several, many, much, + of which/whom
E.g.: Daisy has three brothers. All of them are teachers.
 Daisy has three brothers, all of whom are teachers.
E.g.: I tried on three pairs of shoes. None of them fitted me.
 I tried on three pairs of shoes, none of whichfitted me.
Exercise 5: Combine these sentences using: whom or which
1. Julia has two sisters. Both of her sisters are teacher.
2. I have sent her two letters. She has received neither of these letters.
3. Mary has three brothers. All of her brothers are married.
4. They asked me a lot of questions. I couldn’t answer most of them.
5. John’s class has 35 students. Half of them are very excellent.
6. I tried on three pairs of shoes. None of them fitted me.
7. Do you know the building? The windows of the building are painted green.

Relative Clause with Preposition

1. The man was very helpful. I talked to him.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. The chair is nearly collapsed. The child is sitting in it.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

Noun + Preposition + WHOM/WHICH

Exercise 6: Use a relative pronoun preceded by a preposition to combine each pair of the sentences below:
1. The movie was very interesting. We went to it.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. The man is over there. I told you about him.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. The woman pays me a fair salary. I work for her.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Alice likes the family. She is living with them.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. I enjoyed the music. We listened to it after dinner.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. The person was very friendly. I spoke to him.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Reducing relative clauses

Relative clauses replaced by participles and to infinitives
 Present participles can be used to replace relative clauses when the verb in the clause is active.
Ex1: The man who gave a speech yesterday is the headmaster.
 The man …………………………………………………………………………
Ex2: Do you know the boy who broke the window yesterday?
 Do you know the boy ……………………………………………………………?

=>

 Past participles can be used to replace relative clauses when the verb in the clause is passive.
Ex3: The students who were punished by the teacher are lazy.
 The students ………………………………………………………………………...
Ex4: The building which was built years ago is still there.
 The building ……………………………………………………………………..

=>

 To infinitive can be used to replace Relative clauses when

- the preceding noun / pronounce contains the first, the second, etc., the next, the last, the only and
superlatives
- relative clause contains modal verbs: can, could, must, should, etc,.
Ex5: The captain was the last person that left the sinking ship.
 …………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ex6: Jane had a few letters that she had to type.
 …………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ex7: Brazil is the first team which has won the world cup three consecutive times.
 …………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ex8: He was the second man that was killed in this way.
 …………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Notes: We can reduce Relative clauses by using an appositive clause:
Ex9: We walked down Park Lane, which is the street alone Hyde Park.
 …………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ex10: Football, which is a popular sport, is very good for health
 …………………………………………………………………………………………………
Exercise 7: Rewrite the following sentences using present participle, past participle or to infinitive:
1. The man who’s talking to the policeman has just returned home from Paris.
2. The novel which was bought by my sister is very interesting.
3. The students who make noise in class will be punished.
4. People who are waiting for the bus often shelter in my doorway.
5. Passengers who travelled on this bus bought their tickets in books.
6. I come from a city which is located in the southern part of the country.
7. The vegetables which are sold in this supermarket are grown without chemicals.
8. The students who did not come to the class yesterday explain their absence to the teacher.
9. Did you get the message which concerned the special meeting?
10. I’ve got a bottle of wine, but I haven’t got anything which I could open it with.
11. I don’t like my children playing in the streets. I wish I had a garden that they could play in.
12. He was the first man who left the building which was burning.
13. You are the last person who saw her alive.
14. My brother was the only one who realized the danger.
15. He was the second man who was killed in this way.
16. Neil Armstrong was the first man who walked on the moon.
17. The fifth man who was interviewed was entirely unsuitable.
18. The Queen Elizabeth is the largest ship which has been built on the island.
19. The statue of Eros stands high above Piccadilly Circus, which is the busiest crossroads in London.
20. We passed Marble Arch, which was once a gate into Hyde Park.
Tom, who is my classmate, comes from England.

Omission of relative pronouns (Lược bỏ đại từ quan hệ)

1. Khi đại từ quan hệ "who/whom/which/that" được dùng như túc từ (object) chúng ta có thể lược
bỏ nó. Cách dùng này cũng được gọi là "Zero relative".
o The woman you met yesterday was my aunt Laura.
(The woman who/whom/that you met yesterday was my aunt Laura.)
 o The doctor I spoke to told me not to worry.
(The doctor who/whom/that I spoke to told me not to worry.)
o The mistake I made was fortunately not very serious.
(The mistake that/which I made was fortunately not very serious.)
o The jacket Bod always wears was a gift from his uncle.
(The jacket that/which Bod always wears was a gift from his uncle.)
2. Chúng ta không thể lược bỏ đại từ quan hệ khi nó làm chủ ngữ (subject), có nghĩa là nó đứng
trước động từ chính trong câu.
Ví dụ:
o The doctor who/that treated me told me not to worry.
(WRONG: The doctor treated me told me not to worry.)
o The woman who told you about your mistake was very kind.
(WRONG: The woman told you about your mistake was very kind.)
3. Chúng ta cũng không thể lược bỏ đại từ quan hệ khi nó đứng sau dấu phẩy (nghĩa là trong mệnh
đề không xác định), mặc dầu nó làm túc từ (object).
Ví dụ:
o Mr. Walker, whom I invited to dinner, didn't come.
(WRONG: Mr. Walker, I invited to dinner, didn't come.)
o This watch, which I bought ten year ago, has always kept accurate time.
(WRONG: This watch, I bought ten year ago, has always kept accurate time.)
4. Chúng ta cũng không thể lược bỏ đại từ quan hệ "whom/which" khi dùng nó theo sau giới từ.
Ví dụ:
o The people with whom I went on holiday were very kind.
o Astronomy is a subject about which I know very little.

Exercise 8: Tick () the sentences in which the relative pronoun cam be omitted:
1. The girl who chatted with you yesterday is my cousin.
2. The architect that designed these flats has moved to HCM City.
3. I’m reading the book which I bought in 1996.
4. Do you know the man that is sharing the flat with me?
5. The monument which we visited was built a hundred years ago.
6. The game that the boys are interested in is a popular game all over the world.
7. The people whom we visited are homeless after the flood.
8. I don’t like the films which have unhappy ending.
9. I know the man whose son broke your windows.
10. The girl whose parents work with me is very kind.
11. The village has around 200 people, the majority of whom are farmers.
12. She hasn’t eat anything, which makes her parents worried.
13. Mr.Pike, whose course I am taking, is excellent.
14. People have enjoyed plays which Shakespeare wrote for four centuries.
15. Mr. Ross, who I have known for a long time, has just become the principal.

Exercise 9.
1. Mr. Pike, is our boss ,has just come back from Paris.
A. who B. whom C. which D. that
2. The botanists are examining the plants were brought from Africa.
A. who B. whom C. which D. that
3. Do you know the hotel ?
A. at which she is staying C. where she is staying
C. she is staying at D. all are correct
4. That is the new teacher about the students are talking.
A. that B. who C. whose D. whom
5. This subject going to discuss, is very important.
A. which we are B. which are we
C. that we are D. A and C are correct
6. The scientist invention was a success became famous.
A. who B. whose C. which D. that
7. I knew some people .
A. who could help you B. whom could help you
C. whose help could you D. could help you
8. That is the dress .
A. which made by Mary B. which making by Mary
C. was made by Mary D. made by Mary
9. The bicycle is very modern.
A. I told you about which B. which about I told you
C. about I told you which D. about which I told you
10. Many diseases are no longer dangerous today.
A. why people died of year ago B. which people died years ago
C. of that people died years ago D. that people died of years ago
11. Have you made a decision on the day ?
A. which you will set off B. when you will set off
B. at which you will set off D. where you will set off
12. The road is shaded with trees.
A. on which we go to school every day C. from which we go to school every day
B. at which we go to school every day D. where we go to school every day
13. I’m standing at the window .
A.in which I can see the lake B. where I can see the lake
C.at which I can see the lake D. from which I can see the lake
14. I’ll show you the second hand bookshop .
A. when you can find valuable old books B. why you can find valuable old books
C. where you can find valuable old books D. which you can find valuable old books
15. Lan’s marriage has been arranged by her family. She is marrying a man .
A. that she hardly knows him B. whom she hardly knows him
C. she hardly knows D. she hardly knows him
16. I come from the Seattle area many successful companies such as Microsoft and Boeing are
located.
A. which B. that C. where D. whom
17. They have just visited the town location was little known.
A. where B. whose C. which D. that
18. one of the most creative artists in rock ‘n roll, came from California.
A. Frank Zappa, who was B. Frank Zappa was
C. Frank Zappa, that was D. Frank Zappa whom was
19. He came to the party wearing only a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, _ was a stupid thing to do.
A. who B. whom C. which D. that
20. He lives in a small town .
A. where is called Taunton B. which is called Taunton
C.is called Taunton D. that called Taunton

Exercise 10.
1. The house is more than 100 years old.
A. where I live B. in where I live C. in that I live D. where I live in
2. want to get a good job have to have certain qualifications and
experience.
A. Who B. Those which C. Those who D. Those whom
3. Wild fires are common is the forest areas of Australia, of the US and Canada, the
climate is moist.
A.in where B. in that C. where D. which
4. King Henry, _ was Elizabeth I, led England into the Age of Empire. A.
daughter B. whom daughter C. which daughter D. whose
daughter
5. Frank invited Janet, , to the party.
 A. met in Japan B. meeting in Japan
C. whom he had met in Japan D. that he had met in Japan
6. The singer, most recent recording has had much success, is signing autographs.
A. whose B. that C. who D. whom
6. He likes shopping between 1.00 and 3.00 pm, most people are at home.
A. when B. where C. in which D. at that
8. Linda, to many of her students are writing, is living happily and peacefully in
Canada.
A. who B. whom C. that D. whose
9. The fishermen and their boats were off the coast three days ago have just been reported to
be missing
A. which B. that C. who D. whom
10. The banker to I gave my check was quite friendly.
A. who B. that C. whom D. which
11. Birds make nests in trees they can hide their young in the leaves and branches.
A. which B. where C. that D. in that
12. He lent me yesterday.
A. the book I need B. the book when I need
C. which book I need D. the book whose I need
13. cheat on the exam have to leave the room.
A. Those B. Who C. Those whom D. Those who
14. really a fish, has no brain, no bones, and no face.
A. A jelly fish is not B. A jelly fish, it is not
C. A jelly fish, which is not D. A jelly fish, that is not
15. Ann had been sleeping in the back of the car. She felt quite fresh and wanted to go on.
A. Ann, that felt quite fresh and wanted to go on, had been sleeping in the back of the car.
B. Ann, who felt quite fresh and wanted to go on, had been sleeping in the back of the car.
C. Ann, felt quite fresh and wanted to go on, had been sleeping in the back of the car.
D. Ann, whom felt quite fresh and wanted to go on, had been sleeping in the back of the car.
16. She was dancing with a student a slight limp.
A. who had B. with whom had
B. with that have D. by whom had.
17. My father works for a construction company in .
A. Winchester, which is a city in the U.K.
B. Winchester that is a city in the U.K.
C. Winchester is a city in the U.K.
D. Winchester where is a city in the U.K.
18. I saw a lot of new people at the party, _ seemed familiar.
A. some of whom B. some of who C. whom D. some of that