Relative clauses

1.

Put who(m), which, what, whose or nothing in each space as necessary.

a) He didnt know ___________ had paid him, ____________was strange.
b) Someone ___________ had been there before told us the way.
c) ____________ I ought to do, is find out _________ gloves they are.
d) Peter, _________ car had broken down, met a man __________ managed to fix it.
e) The drawer in _________ he found the gun was the one __________ I had searched.
f) Those __________ come late must stay to do the work __________ they have missed.
g) The dog ___________ I bought was the one ___________ you saw the day you arrived.
h) That is the boy _________ mother knows the man __________ repaired our fridge.
i) He is the one __________ asked me __________ I gave the money to.
j) The snow, __________ had been falling all day, was __________ gave us trouble.

2.

Join each group of sentences using the words given in brackets and beginning as shown.
Make any other necessary changes.
1 A man brought the letter. He left it on the table. (who)
The man _____________________
2 I have a friend. Her six children sing in a choir. (whose)
I have _______________________
3 I sold my car to a man. You spoke to him. (-)
The man _____________________
4 The cup was on the table. It had tea in it. (which)
The cup ______________________
5 I bought a painting. I sold it to a friend. He liked it. (who)
I sold the _____________________
6 A student came late. I borrowed her pen. (whose, who, the one)
The student ___________________
7 I went on holiday. I went with a friend. He has fallen ill. (whom)
The friend ____________________

3.

In the following sentences, insert commas if there is a non-defining relative clause. Cross out the pronoun
if possible in the defining relative clauses.
a) The thing that I most regret is not going to university.
b) My two daughters who are 16 and 13 are both interested in dancing.
c) The town where I was born has changed dramatically.
d) I didnt like the clothes which were in the sale.
e) Salt that comes from the sea is considered to be the best for cooking.
f) Salt whose qualities have been known since prehistoric times is used to season and preserve food.
g) The CD that I bought yesterday doesnt work.
h) You know the book that you paid 20 for? I just got it for 5.
i) The area of England where Id most like to live is Devon, in the West Country.
j) Devon where my mothers family come from is famous for its lovely countryside and dramatic coastline.

4.

Fill the gaps with a relative pronoun. If the pronoun can be omitted, add nothing.
a) The lady __________ is sitting in the wheelchair is my grandmother.
b) I know an Italian restaurant __________ serves excellent home-made pasta.
c) I know an Italian restaurant __________ you can always get a table.
d) Uncle Tom earns a fortune, __________ is why Ive asked him to lend me 1,000.
e) Sean is a child __________ people immediately like.
f) My daughter, ___________ ambition is to emigrate to Australia, has finally got her visa.
g) I gave him a drink of water, ___________ he drank thirstily.
h) The flight ____________ we wanted to get was fully booked.
i) My Aunties house is the place ___________ I feel most at home.
j) This is the smallest car ___________ has ever been made.
k) Thats the man _____________ wife left him because he kept his pet snake in their bedroom.
l) I love the things _____________ you say to me.
m) I go shopping at the new shopping centre, ____________ theres always free parking.
n) She told me shed been married before, ____________ I didnt realize.
o) ______________ you do, dont touch that button. The machine will explode.
1

5.

Combine the sentences, remembering to put the preposition after the verb in the relative clause.
1 This is the book. I was telling you about it.
______________________________________________________
2 Shes a friend. I can always rely on her.
______________________________________________________
3 Thats the man. The police were looking for him.
______________________________________________________
4 She recommended a book by Robert Palmer. Id never heard of him.
______________________________________________________
5 You paid 500 for a carpet. It has been reduced to 200.
The carpet______________________________________________
6 The Prime Minister gave a good speech. I agree with his views.
_______________________________________________________
7 He spoke about the environment. I care deeply about this.
_______________________________________________________
8 Whats that music? Youre listening to it.
_______________________________________________________
9 Her mother died last week. She looked after her for many years.
_______________________________________________________
10 My daughter has started smoking. I disapprove of this.
_______________________________________________________

Relative clauses with a participle

Relative clauses with a participle are often used in technical descriptions. They allow you to provide a lot of
information about a noun using as few words as possible. We can use the passive or the active participle.
Examples:
PCs equipped with Ethernet adapters = PCs which are equipped with Ethernet adapters
Data line linking client to server = data line which links client to server
1

Complete these definitions with the correct participle of the verb given in brackets.
1 A gateway is an interface (enable) dissimilar networks to communicate.
2 A bridge is a hardware and software combination (use) to connect the same type of
networks.
3 A backbone is a network transmission path (handle) major data traffic.
4 A router is a special computer (direct) messages when several networks are linked.
5 A network is a number of computers and peripherals (link) together.
6 A LAN is a network (connect) computers over a small distance such as within a company.
7 A server is a powerful computer (store) many programs (share) by all the
clients in the network.
8 A client is a network computer (use) for accessing a service on a server.
9 A thin client is a simple computer (comprise) a processor and memory, display, keyboard,
mouse and hard drives only.
10 A hub is an electronic device (connect) all the data cabling in a network.

Link these statements using a relative clause with a participle.

1 a
The technology is here today.
b
It is needed to set up a home network.
2

a
b

You only need one network printer.

It is connected to the server.

a
b

Her house has a network.

It allows basic file-sharing and multi-player gaming.

a
b

There is a line receiver in the living room.

It delivers home entertainment audio to speakers.

a
b

Eve has designed a site.

It is dedicated to dance.

a
b

She has built in links.

They connect her site to other dance sites.
2

a
b

She created the site using a program called Netscape Composer.

It is contained in Netscape Communicator.

a
b

At the centre of France Telecoms home of tomorrow is a network.

It is accessed through a Palm Pilot-style control pad.

a
b

The network can simulate the owners presence.

This makes sure vital tasks are carried out in her absence.

10 a
b
c

The house has an electronic door-keeper.

It is programmed to recognise you.
This gives access to family only.