English Mix Site

http://www.englishmixsite.com

EFL and ESL Printable GRAMMAR WORKSHEET Teens &Adults + ANSWER KEY
Level: adult elementary
Grammar: Defining and non-defining relative clauses
1a Read the news article.
NEW APARTMENTS TO BE SOLD
A new residential building, (1) which is owned by XY Corp, is going onto the market
next week. The North Lakefront district, (2) where many other prestigious buildings
stand, is the very desirable location of XY Plaza. Architect Paolo Pazzo, (3) who has
designed many other buildings around town, is particularly proud of this one. "This is
the kind of work (4) that I love to do," he said. "This is the reason (5) why I became an
architect." Pazzo, (6) whose office is located in New York, has already bought one floor
of the building. "I love this city," he says. "My wife, for (7) whom this city is very
important, wanted an apartment here. Now we have one." Next year, (8) when their
space in the building is finished, they will move here permanently. Many of the
apartments have views (9) which include the lake and the distant mountains. You can
make an appointment for a viewing by calling Janine Pain at ...

1b Match the relatives to what they refer to.

1 who

a place

2 why

b person as object

3 where

c time

4 which

d in what way

5 whom

e person's possession

6 when

f person

7 whose

g thing

8 how

h reason

1c Complete the statement with: defining or non-defining.

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 1 of 6

English Mix Site

_______ relative clauses are necessary to the sentence; they are usually not separated
from the main clause by commas. ______ relative pronouns introduce extra
information; the clause is normally separated from the main clause by commas.
1d Look at the text again. Identify the clauses as defining (D) or non-defining (ND).
1 ___

6 ___

2 ___

7 ___

3 ___

8 ___

4 ___

9 ___

5 ___

1e Fill in the missing relatives.

To whom it may concern.
I am writing to complain about the Supertense Exercise Machine (1) _____ I bought
from your company last week. First of all, it is very difficult to assemble. A colleague of
mine, (2) _____ is a mechanical engineer, spent hours trying to put it together. I
eventually had to call an expert (3) ______ company specializes in such work. After six
hours, (4) _____ it was finally assembled, he handed me a bill for $400! He also
explained that the tools (5) ______ were included with the machine were not suitable
for the job. I also have to say that, (6) ______ I finally managed to try it out, I found the
machine very difficult to use. My knees, (7) ______ were already in a delicate state,
have become very painful. I have also reinjured my back, (8) ______ was just beginning
to heal. These are the reasons (9) _____ I want you to reimburse my money. Otherwise
Ill write a review on the Internet so prospective customers are aware of (10) ____
awful your product and service is.
Paul Parton

2a Combine the sentences using defining or non-defining clauses and the correct
relatives.
1 My boss is great to work for. She is a friend of my sister. My boss, who is a friend of
my sister, is great to work for.
2 Julia left work early. I can't tell you the reason. ____________________________

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 2 of 6

English Mix Site

3 My retirement account is managed by an investment firm. It is doing fairly well.

__________________________________________
4 I met my business partner. We were at university together.
____________________________________________________
5 I am fed up with working so much overtime. This is my reason for quitting.
_____________________________________________________
6 My tax accountant is amazingly efficient. He also plays soccer with me.
_______________________________________________________________
7 The house is for sale. I grew up there. _____________________________
8 My English teacher is retiring next month. I owe her my success.
________________________________________________________

2b Look at the pictures. Write sentences using the cues.

1
co-worker / also friend / great to work with
_______________________________________________

2
garden room / in a terrible state / needs to be organized
______________________________________________________

3
grandparents' house / I spent many summers / now owned by sister
______________________________________________________

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 2 of 6

English Mix Site

4 the young publicist/ I interviewed for an hour / has experience in sport brands
______________________________________________________________

5 the ski resort/ we spent our winter vacations / is closed temporarily for maintenance
_________________________________________________________________

6 Louisa / called to check on her family after the earthquake. This was the reason of her
call.
____________________________________________________________
3a Complete the sentences with true facts about your own life.
1 The person who helped me grow as a person was ________________
2 The first place where I went dancing was ____________________________
3 An incident or event that changed my life significantly was __________
4 The person to whom I first gave a heartfelt card or an important gift was
______________
5 The first place I visited which changed my view of life was _____________
6 The first thing/object which I acquired after a big effort was ____________
3b Write similar sentences as in 3a but about your present or future.

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 3 of 6

English Mix Site

Scroll down for the answer key

ANSWER KEY Level: Adult basic - Defining and non-defining relative clauses
1b
1f 2d 3a 4g

5b

6c 7e 8h

1c
defining; non-defining
1d
1 ND

4D

7ND

2 ND

5D

8 ND

3 ND

6D

9D

1e
1 which 2 who 3 whose 4 when 5 which 6 when

7 which 8 which 9 why 10 how

2a

2 I cant tell you why Julia left work early.

3 My retirement account, which is managed by an investment firm, is doing fairly well.
My retirement account, which is doing fairly well, is managed by ...
4 I met my business partner when we were at university together.
5 The reason why Im quitting is that I am fed up with working so much overtime.

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 4 of 6

English Mix Site

6 My tax accountant, who is amazingly efficient, plays soccer with me. My tax
accountant, who plays soccer with me, is amazingly efficient.
7 The house where I grew up is for sale.
8 I owe my success to my English teacher who is retiring next month.
My English teacher, to whom I owe my success, is retiring...

2b
1

My co-worker, who is also a friend, is a great person to work with.

2 The garden room, which is in a terrible state, needs to be organized.

3 My grandparents' house, where I spent many summers, is now owned by my
sister.
4 The young publicist, whom I interviewed for an hour, has experience in sport
brands
5 5 the ski resort, where we spent our winter vacations, is closed temporarily for
maintenance
6 The reason why Louisa called was to check on her family after the earthquake.

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 5 of 6