Overview:

Topic: Relative Words

English: Relative words introduce phrases that describe a noun in the main part of the sentence.
Different relative words are used to refer to different types of nouns. Most common used relative
words are: where, when, whereby, whose, and what.

Español: Las palabras relativas introducen frases que describen un sustantivo en la parte
principal de la oración. Se utilizan diferentes palabras relativas para referirse a diferentes tipos de
sustantivos. Las palabras relativas más utilizadas son: dónde, cuándo, por qué, de quién y qué.

English
“Where” is the relative word used to refer to a
place.
“When” is the relative word used to refer to a
time.
“Whereby” is the relative word used to refer
to a process.
“Whose” is the relative word used to show
possession or belonging.
“What” is the relative word used to mean “the
thing which” or “the things which.”
Español
Usa la palabra relativa "Dónde" para referirse
a un lugar.
Usa la palabra relativa “Cuando" para
referirse a un tiempo.
Usa las palabras relativas “Por lo cual” para
referirse a un proceso.
Usa la palabra relativa “Quien” para mostrar
posesión o pertenencia.
Usa la palabra relativa “Qué" para significar
"la cosa que" o "las cosas que".
Part A
Let’s Apply: Select one of the following three choices: where, when, and whereby.
Determine which relative word fits each sentence.

Vamos a aplicar: Seleccione una de las siguientes tres opciones: dónde, cuándo y por
dónde. Determina qué palabra relativa se ajusta a cada oración.

1. I can’t remember ________ I took my medication.

a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
2. The man ________ name was called has already left.
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
3. There’s a new system _________ students submit their work online.
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
4. __________ will I meet you because I am running late.
a. Where
 b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
5. Do you remember _________ we first met? What was your first impression of me?
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
6. Can you show me ________ I can find the nearest gas station?
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
7. Those are the boys _________ pets are chickens.
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
8. The person _________ company I enjoy the most is my sister.
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
9. The new company policy outlines a process _________ employees can request flexible
work hours.
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
10. The workshop is scheduled for next Saturday, __________ participants will learn
advanced techniques in cooking.
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
11. Let’s decide ________ we should go for our vacation this summer.
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
 12. William is the guy _________ parents are so strict.
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
13. The company implemented a system _______ customers can track their orders in real-
time.
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose
14. Next month is _________ the students are returning from winter break.
a. Where
b. When
c. Whereby
d. Whose

Part B
Listening Activity + Fill in the Correct Relative Word into the Corresponding Blanks

Actividad de comprensión + Llena la palabra relativa correcta en los espacios

Emma, Alex, and Jordan are excited to plan an upcoming road trip. The trio starts by discussing
where they should begin their adventure, considering options like the countryside or a coastal
location. Once they agree on a destination, they talk about ___________ (where/when/whereby)
they can all take time off from work to go. They factor in work commitments, family obligations,
and personal preferences to determine the ideal timeframe for their road trip. With the timing
sorted, they move on to the logistical details, ____________ (where/when/whereby) they map out
the route they'll take, ___________ (where/when/whereby) they'll stop for meals and attractions
along the way, and ____________ (where/when/whereby) they'll spend each night.

Part C
Combine sentences with relative pronouns (who, where, that, whom)

Combina orcaiones con pronombres relativos.

Example: The boy stole your phone. The boy is now in jail.

Answer: The boy who stole your phone is now in jail.

1. I have a best friend. My best friend is very supportive.
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. I applied for a job. The job pays well.

_____________________________________________________________________________

3. That man lives across the street from me. He is a lawyer.

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. We ordered lunch. The lunch arrived late.

_____________________________________________________________________________

5. Easthampton is a town. Michael Rubin was born in Easthampton.

_____________________________________________________________________________

6. I chose a mattress. The mattress was comfortable.

_____________________________________________________________________________

7. I had soup. The soup was too cold.

_____________________________________________________________________________

8. Jamie is 65. Jamie has just retired.

_____________________________________________________________________________

9. This is George. You met him at our house last year.

_____________________________________________________________________________
***Nowadays, we often don’t use whom. For question 5, we now say “This is George, who you
met at our last year.”

Part D
Choose the sentence in each pair in which the bold word functions as a relative pronoun.

Elija la oración más sensible de cada par que usa el pronombre relativo correctamente.

______ 1. A. I wasn’t there when she called.

B. I recall a time when you liked my company.

______ 2. A. I remember the day when we met.

B. The class will be over when the bell rings.

______ 3. A. The desk where I work is in the kitchen.

B. I didn’t see where they went.

______ 4. A. We visited the city where I was born.

B. I won’t ask where you have been all this time.

______ 5. A. Think about a time when you were scared.

B. We’ll meet when the roads are clear.

______ 6. A. Don’t sit there where the seat is seat is wet from the rain.

B. The sofa where I watch TV is comfortable.

Answer Key:

Part A:

1. B) When
2. D) Whose
 3. C) Whereby
4. A) Where
5. B) When
6. A) Where
7. D) Whose
8. D) Whose
9. C) Whereby
10. C) Whereby
11. A) Where
12. D) Whose
13. C) Whereby
14. B) When

Part B:

1. When
2. Whereby
3. Where
4. Where

Part C:

1. I have a best friend who is very supportive.

2. I applied for a job that pays well or The job that I applied for pays well.
3. That man who lives across the street from me is a lawyer.
4. The lunch that we ordered arrived late.
5. Easthampton is the town where Michael Rubin was born.
6. I chose a mattress that was comfortable.
7. The soup that I had was too cold.
8. Jamie, who is 65, has just retired.
9. This is George, whom you met at our house last year.
Part D:

1. B
2. A
3. A
4. A
5. A
6. B