Grammar · Lesson 4 of 15

Relative clauses

Use which, who, where and whose to add detail, and learn the “comment clause” (…, which means…) that makes answers longer and more natural.

40–50 minutes
Level B1+
4 exercises

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In this lesson you will

use who, which, that, where and whose to add information
understand the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses
learn the “comment clause” (…, which means…), a natural way to extend your answers

Grammar

What is a relative clause?

A relative clause adds information about a noun. It starts with a relative pronoun:

Pronoun	Used for	Example from our model answers
who	people	I'd made a couple of friends who I'm still close to today.
which	things and animals	Some markets have stalls which sell clothes and street food.
that	people or things (defining clauses only)	Old devices that lag are frustrating.
where	places	My grandparents have a small plot where they grow tomatoes.
whose	possession	I have a friend whose jokes always make me laugh.

Exercise 1

Choose the relative pronoun

My English teacher, ___ was really encouraging, stayed after class to help us.
I usually buy fruit from a small market, ___ most of the produce comes fresh from the farm.
I bought a full-length mirror, ___ has been really useful.
My dad, ___ team always loses, gets really worked up during matches.
It's more relaxing than the big city ___ I study.
I prefer singers ___ can hit the high notes without any effort.

Two types

Defining and non-defining clauses

A defining clause tells us which one we mean. We need it for the sentence to make sense, and there are no commas. You can use that.
Old devices that lag are frustrating. (not all devices, only the ones that lag)
A non-defining clause adds extra information. The sentence makes sense without it. In writing it has commas; in speaking you pause slightly. You can't use that.
My English teacher, who was really encouraging, stayed after class.

Exercise 2

Defining or non-defining?

Some markets also have stalls which sell clothes and phone accessories.
The Terracotta Army museum, which I visited with my family, was the best.
I like ads that tell a story or make me laugh.
My grandfather, who I really looked up to, taught me good manners.
Some people do, especially older people who grew up writing letters.

For speaking

The comment clause: …, which…

A which clause can comment on the whole of the previous idea, not just one noun. This is one of the most natural ways to extend a Part 1 answer:

I'm almost always on the go, which means I rarely have time to get bored.
I've even nodded off in a lecture once or twice, which was quite embarrassing.
My mother tends to hoard everything, which is why there's a lot of clutter at home.

Useful starters: which means…, which is why…, which was…, which makes…, which I really enjoy.

Exercise 3

Join the sentences

Join each pair with who, which or where. Write the full sentence.

I live near a park. I go running there every morning.
My best friend lives in Beijing. She is a doctor.
I missed the bus this morning. That meant I was late for class.
I have a smartwatch. It counts my steps.

Exercise 4

Extend the answers

Add a comment clause to each answer, starting with which.

I live with my parents, …
My hometown has lots of canals, …
I usually study in the library, …

Speaking practice

Use relative clauses in your answers

Answer the questions out loud. Use at least one relative clause in each answer, and try a comment clause (…, which means…) at least twice.

Press “Give me a question”.

Press Record, answer out loud, then listen back.

Lesson written for Tips4IELTS. All examples come from our Speaking Part 1 model answers.