RELATIVE CLAUSES

Exercise 1

Identify the relative clause and

1. decide to which noun it is related
2. whether it is defining or non-defining
3. has a finite or non-finite verb (finite form means that the verb has a recognizable
tense)
4. which relative pronoun introduced it and
5. whether the relative pronoun can be omitted or not.

e.g. The book which he wrote sold like smoke.

Relative clause which he wrote, the noun it relates is the book, it is defining, has a personal verb,
is introduced by which and which can be deleted.

1. Taxi drivers who intend to sell their old cars should see an auto dealer.
2. The exhibition, which was opened yesterday, displays rare objects.
3. A person looking for a house should check the announcements.
4. People who want to travel abroad should hold a valid passport.
5. The young couple, who got married on Saturday, bought a new flat.
6. Is he the only person that can help us?
7. Which is the nearest place where tourists can eat?
8. Some parents allow their children to play on the main roads, which is extremely
dangerous.
9. The students who sat for the test passed it.
10. The medicine taken by the patient did no relieve the pain.

Exercise 2

Complete the blanks with relative pronouns or adverbs only where necessary:

1. The house….they are looking for is too expensive.

2. Nobody knew the man …. won the first prize.
3. The house, …was built 50 years ago, collapsed.
4. I think this is all the money… I have.
5. His mother always finds fault with him,… annoys him.
6. People … live in glass houses should not throw stones.
 7. It will be summer by the time…you will be back.
8. All the goods, …. are displayed, must be sold within a week.
9. The film about …they are talking must be very new.

Exercise 3

Use one of the relative pronouns below to fill the gaps: who, whom, that, whose, which

1. Wasn’t there some German or Czech author beginning with a K in … novels individuals
got lost in the bureaucratic maze?
2. We are blessed with gold health, for …we should be all grateful.
3. Anything…you want you can have.
4. All… want to help should leave their contribution in this box.
5. Much…has been said will soon be forgotten.
6. We bought six loaves of bread for the party, half of… weren’t touched
7. My daughter invited five or her friends to dinner, none of… expressed any kind of
thanks.
8. We had quire an informal supper actually, …is what may not have pleased them

Exercise 4

Rewrite each of the following sentences to include the word which and another wh-word.

Eg. I had a holiday in Roma last year and that’s the place it all began.

I had a holiday in Roma last year, which is where it all began.

1. I met him in May and it was then that I fell in love with him.
2. We met because a friend introduced us.
3. He had the most beautiful smile and it was that that attracted me initially.
4. We spent a weekend in Venice and that was the place we decided to get engaged.
5. We had a big white wedding and that was something I’d always wanted.
Exercise 5

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between 3 and 8 words, including the
word given.

1. There were a lot of survivors and most of them were in pain. MAJORITTY
There were a lot of survivors, the… were in pain.
2. We are holding a meeting to acquaint the public with the facts. PURPOSE
We are holding a meeting,… to acquaint the public with the facts.
3. When the fire spread, the theatre was cleared. POINT
The fire spread, …. the theatre was cleared.
4. You can borrow up to five books art any one time from the library. TAKEN
There is a library, from…at any one time.
5. Although the robbery was seen by numerous people, they were unable to identify the two
men. WITNESSED
None who…. to identify the two men.

Exercise 6

Fill each of the gaps with one suitable word:

1. The houses…into last night had all had their back doors forced open.
2. Three youths…possession of firearms were apprehended early this morning.
3. Two other suspects…into custody were later released.
4. Four more men…the description…by witnesses are still at large.
5. The occupants reported a number of valuable articles…this morning.
6. In one house a jewelry box…a priceless diamond ring is known to have been taken.

Exercise 7

Identify the antecedent of the following relative clauses:

e.g. She went to the shop that was closest to her home. the shop

1. We were taken every week to the theatre, at which new plays were constantly being
produced.
2. We were taken every week to the theatre, which was a great delight to us.
3. We went to the theatre every week, which was our one relaxation.
4. The singer gave five encores, for which he received enthusiastic applause.
 5. He gave five encores, all of which were quite new to the audience.
6. He gave five encores, which was a very generous acknowledgment of the welcome he
had received.
7. The climbers spent two nights on the mountainside, which was swept by biting winds.
8. They spent two nights on the mountainside, which was on ordeal for the hardiest of them.
9. We test every bottle of Buzz in our laboratories, which is why it is so reliable.
10. We apply a laboratory test to every bottle of Buzz, which is then hygienically corked.

Exercise 8

Join the following sentences, using relative clauses; identify the type (defining or non-defining)
and the antecedent of the relative clause:

e.g. We met some boys. They were leaving school.

We met some boys who were leaving school. defining relative clause; head – some boys

1. We meet the man. His brother had been killed.

2. There are things about Adam. I hate them.
3. She arrived on that day. We left that day.
4. Alan invited us to his party. It was his birthday.
5. My three rabbits died. This was a pity.
6. I didn’t want to know. You did a certain thing.
7. The oleander flourished. It had been planted by my uncle.
8. He wore his right arm in a sling. It never mended properly.
9. The people come from Scotland. We live next to them.
10. At the back were the stables. My father kept his two horses there.

Sources

Broughton, G. 1990. Penguin English Grammar. A-Z exercises for advanced Students. London:
Penguin

Cloze, R. 1989. A University Grammar of English. Harlow: Longman

Popa, E. (2005).Limba engleza. English Language Syntax. Bucuresti: Ministerul Educatiei si

Cercetarii.

Side, R. and G. Wellman. 2002. Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises for Cambridge Advanced
and Proficiency. Harlow: Longman