Relative clauses & relative pronouns

Using who, which, that, whose, whom to add information about a noun

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Fill in the correct relative pronoun: The girl ___ won the race trains every day. The girl ___ won the race trains every day.
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2
Which relative pronoun is correct? The book ___ I borrowed was fantastic. A) which B) who C) whose D) whom
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3
Which word starts the relative clause? 'The boy who lives next door is kind.' A) The B) boy C) who D) is
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4
Which relative pronoun is for PEOPLE? A) which B) who C) where D) what
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5
Fill in the relative pronoun showing possession: The boy ___ bike was stolen reported it to the police. The boy ___ bike was stolen reported it to the police.
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6
Which sentence uses the relative pronoun correctly? A) The dog which was barking belonged to my neighbour. B) The dog who was barking belonged to my neighbour. C) The dog whose was barking belonged to my neighbour. D) The dog whom was barking belonged to my neighbour.
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7
Build a sentence using a relative clause with 'who'. Arrange these words: My, uncle, who, wears, glasses, is, tall
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8
Fill in the blank: The man ___ I met yesterday is a famous author. The man ___ I met yesterday is a famous author.
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9
Which sentence is a non-defining relative clause (needs commas)? A) My sister, who lives in Spain, is visiting next week. B) The girl who lives next door is my friend. C) The book that I read was thrilling. D) The cake which she baked was delicious.
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10
Fill in the relative pronoun: I admire scientists ___ work changes the world. I admire scientists ___ work changes the world.
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Answer key

Relative clauses & relative pronouns · for parents and teachers

1
who
We use 'who' for people. 'That' is also acceptable here for people in defining clauses.
2
which
'Which' is used for things. 'Who' is for people. The book is a thing, so 'which' is correct.
3
who
'Who lives next door' is the relative clause, starting with 'who'.
4
who
'Who' refers to people.
5
whose
'Whose' shows possession. The bike belongs to the boy, so we use 'whose'.
6
The dog which was barking belonged to my neighbour.
'Which' is used for animals and things. 'That' would also work, but 'who' is for people.
7
My uncle who wears glasses is tall
The relative clause 'who wears glasses' adds information about the uncle, and is placed straight after it.
8
whom
'Whom' is the formal object form. In everyday speech, 'who' or 'that' are also accepted.
9
My sister, who lives in Spain, is visiting next week.
'Who lives in Spain' is extra information - the sister can be identified without it. Non-defining clauses use commas.
10
whose
'Whose' shows that the work belongs to the scientists.