English – Grammar: Defining Relative Clauses (Who, Which, That, Where) – 2nd Year Middle School – Algeria

Grammar: Defining Relative Clauses (Who, Which, That, Where)

Lesson Objectives:

• Understand what relative clauses are.
• Use relative pronouns correctly.
• Join sentences using relative clauses.

What are Relative Clauses?

Relative clauses give extra information about a noun in the main sentence. They begin with relative pronouns: who (for people), which (for things/animals), that (for people or things), where (for places).

Examples:

• Who: The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
• Which: The book which I read was interesting.
• That: The car that I bought is blue.
• Where: This is the school where I study.

Important Notes:

• THAT can replace WHO and WHICH in defining relative clauses.
• We use commas (non-defining clauses) when the information is extra, not essential.
• WHOM is used for object pronouns in formal English: The man whom I met was kind.

Exercises:

1. Complete with who/which/that/where: (The girl __ is singing is my sister. The house __ I live is old).
2. Join the sentences: (I have a friend. She speaks three languages.)

Useful Links:

See also: Personal Pronouns and Question Words.