Relative Clauses

What the page covers

The resources here all circle one idea: a relative clause gives extra information about a noun. The mind map called Relative clauses opens with exactly that point, then lists the relative pronouns who, which, that, whom and whose. Other maps such as Relative pronouns separate the pronouns used for people, for animals and objects, for places and for time.

Where to start

Begin with the maps, because they give you the pattern in a few lines. The Defining and Non-defining clauses map explains how a clause introduced by a relative pronoun works. The slide set Relative clauses and relative pronouns adds a useful rule: in a defining clause, if you remove it the sentence usually stops making sense, and there are no commas.

1. Read a mind map on relative pronouns.
2. Go through the slide set on defining clauses.
3. Test yourself with the quiz Relative Clauses, a gap-fill where you choose words like who and that.
4. Try the quiz Reduced relative clauses once the basics feel steady.

Using quizzes and maps together

Take a quiz first and note which answers you missed. Then open a map on that point, such as the ones on object adjective clauses, and read it again. Retake the quiz afterwards. The flashcard deck DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES works well for short bursts. It gives you two ideas to join, like a match you saw and how fantastic it was.

Teachers can use the quizzes as quick starters and the flowcharts and slide sets as ready-made explanations. Everything was made by GoConqr users, so styles vary and some titles are in Spanish or other languages.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the strand Grammar: Words and Sentences, in English language. It sits alongside other grammar topics that deal with how words build sentences.

Choose a resource that suits your level today and see how far a few minutes of practice takes you.