Relative clauses

Defining relative clauses

The woman who showed the most determination got the job.

We do not put commas at the beginning and end of a defining relative clause.

Relative clauses

Defining relative clauses

She showed me photos of the gorillas (which/that) she had studied.

She showed me photos of the gorillas which/that lived nearby.

The letter (which/that) you received in September explains our position.

The letter which/that arrived in September explains our position.

Relative clausesNon-defining relative

clauses

Dian Fossey, who was born in the USA, made a major contribution to the study of primates.

We use a comma before and immediately after the clause.

We cannot omit the relative pronoun in non-defining relative clauses.

Relative pronouns

Which and That

The study that she published last month is remarkable.

Her most recent study, which she’s just published, is her best yet.

Things

Relative pronouns

Dian, who has specialized in primates, has spent a lot of time in Africa.

who people

whom people if they are the

object of the clause

Professor West, whom I worked with recently, has won the Nobel prize.

Relative pronouns

She is a scientist whose work is world famous.

The book, whose focus is African primates, is very influential.

whose thing or people and expresses possession or belonging

Relative pronouns

when time

She described the moment when she first saw a wild gorilla.

where place

She spent many years in Africa, where she observed gorillas in the wild.

Preposition in relative clauses

That was the story which the film was based on.

That was the story on which the film was based.

Preposition in relative clauses

That’s the research that/which she received the award for.

That’s the research for which she received he award.

Preposition in relative clauses

She spoke to a professor that/ who/ whom she is friendly with.

She spoke to a professor with whom she is friendly.