Types of Relative Pronouns

• that/which = for things
  • The book that/which I bought yesterday is very interesting.
• that/who = for people
  • The woman who/that lives next door is a doctor.
• where = for places
  • This is the restaurant where we had dinner last week.
• when = for times
  • I’ll never forget the day when I first met my wife.
• whose = to show possession
  • My sister, whose children I often take care of, lives next door.
• why = for reasons (less common
  • I don’t understand the reason why he left so suddenly.

Defining vs. Non-defining Relative Clauses

Defining (Restrictive) Relative Clauses

• Provide essential information necessary to identify the noun
• No commas are used
• “That” is often preferred to “which” (in American English especially)

Examples:

The woman who works with my father is coming to dinner.

The car that was stolen has been found.

Non-defining (Non-restrictive) Relative Clauses

• Provide extra information that is not essential for identifying the noun
• Set off by commas
• “That” cannot be used (only “which,” “who,” “whose,” etc.)

Examples:

My brother, who lives in London, is visiting next week.

This book, which was published last year, has won several awards.

Types of Reduced Relative Clauses

Subject Relative Clauses with “be” + adjective

Full form:

• People who are worried about meeting strangers often get nervous at parties.

Reduced form:

• People worried about meeting strangers often get nervous at parties.

More examples:

• The children who are excited about the trip can’t sleep. → The children excited about the trip can’t sleep.
• Anyone who is interested in joining the club should contact me. → Anyone interested in joining the club should contact me.

Subject Relative Clauses with “be” + past participle (passive voice)

Full form:

• The bus that is parked in front of the office is the one we’ll take to the conference.

Reduced form:

• The bus parked in front of the office is the one we’ll take to the conference.

More examples:

• The documents which were stolen from the office have been recovered. → The documents stolen from the office have been recovered.
• The food that is prepared by this chef is always delicious. → The food prepared by this chef is always delicious.

Subject Relative Clauses with “be” + noun phrases

Full form:

• Steven, who is a quick learner, adapts easily to new situations.

Reduced form:

• Steven, a quick learner, adapts easily to new situations.

More examples:

• My father, who is a doctor, works at the local hospital. → My father, a doctor, works at the local hospital.
• Paris, which is the capital of France, is famous for its museums. → Paris, the capital of France, is famous for its museums.

Subject Relative Clauses with “be” + present participle

Full form:

• The man who is standing at the corner is my uncle.

Reduced form:

• The man standing at the corner is my uncle.

More examples:

• The woman who is talking to the teacher is my mother. → The woman talking to the teacher is my mother.
• The children who are playing in the garden are my neighbors. → The children playing in the garden are my neighbors.

📌 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Attempting to reduce object relative clauses

The book reading yesterday was interesting. (Incorrect)

The book that I was reading yesterday was interesting.

Attempting to reduce relative clauses without “be”

The woman living in London is my sister. (If the original is “The woman who lives in London…”)

The woman who lives in London is my sister.

Creating ambiguity through reduction

The people told about the accident left. (Unclear if the people were told or if they told others)

The people who were told about the accident left.

Forgetting commas in reduced non-defining relative clauses

My father a doctor works at the hospital.

My father, a doctor, works at the hospital.