Relative Clauses

Main verbs or subjects are not the only important elements in a sentence!
Relative clauses provide information about nouns or pronouns and make sentences richer. They can describe people, places, things, or events. Without them, sentences would be less descriptive and engaging. So, remember to use relative clauses to add depth to your writing!

Unlocking Relative Sentences

• Relative Sentences are introduced by relative pronouns like who, whom, whose, which, that, where and when.

• Relative clauses can be defining or non-defining.

• Defining clauses provide essential information, while non-defining relative clauses provide extra information.

Relative Pronouns

​WHO WHICH THAT WHOSE WHERE WHEN

WHO: It is used to refer to PEOPLE
WHICH: It is used to refer to ANIMALS; OBJECTS OR IDEAS
THAT: It is used as a substitute for WHO and WHICH
WHOSE: It is used for POSSESSION
WHERE: It is used to refer to PLACES
WHEN: It is used to refer to TIME

Types of Relative Sentences

• Defining Relative Clauses: Provide essential information about the noun they modify.

• Non-defining Relative Clauses: Provide additional, non-essential information about the noun they modify.