Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 95 · B2

Relative clauses 4: extra information clauses (1)

Some relative clauses tell you which person or thing is meant; others only add extra information about one already known. The extra-information kind has commas, never uses that, and never drops who or which.

Start the lesson

13Steps · about 22 minutes

In this lesson

Two kinds of relative clauseA4 screens of questions
that, and leaving the pronoun outB1 screen of questions
whose and where in both typesC1 screen of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

Two kinds of relative clause

Type 1 tells you which person or thing, or what kind: no commas.

Type 2 adds extra information about a person or thing we already know: commas.

Type 1: which one Type 2: extra information
The woman who lives next door is a midwife. My sister Ruth, who lives in Aberdeen, is a midwife.
Grace works for a company that makes kitchens. Anna told me about her new job, which she's loving.
We stayed at the hotel you recommended. We stayed at the Bay Hotel, which a friend of ours recommended.

In Type 2, the main sentence already tells us who or what: my sister Ruth, Anna's new job, the Bay Hotel.

  • The woman who lives next door is a midwife.
  • My sister Ruth, who lives in Aberdeen, is a midwife.
  • My cousin has loads of friends who work in theatre.

Point A · Exercise 95.1 · part 1 of 2

Make one sentence from two, turning the sentence in brackets into an extra-information clause with who, whom, whose, which or where.

  1. Example

    Catherine runs the local book club. (She used to be a librarian.)

    Catherine, who used to be a librarian, runs the local book club.

    AnswerCatherine, who used to be a librarian, runs the local book club.

  2. Example

    We ate at Luigi's. (My sister suggested this restaurant.)

    We ate at Luigi's, which my sister suggested.

    AnswerWe ate at Luigi's, which my sister suggested.

  3. We drove to the station. (The station was not far from the town centre.)

  4. Kate's husband is a firefighter. (I have never met Kate's husband.)

  5. Lisa never sees her family at Christmas. (Lisa's job is on a cruise ship.)

  6. Paul and Emily have a son, Alfie. (Alfie has just started school.)

Point A · Exercise 95.1 · part 2 of 2

Make one sentence from two, turning the sentence in brackets into an extra-information clause with who, whom, whose, which or where.

  1. The new stadium will hold 40,000 people. (The stadium will be finished next spring.)

  2. My brother lives in Shetland. (Shetland is the most northerly part of the UK.)

  3. Our driving instructor was very patient. (I can't remember his name.)

  4. We loved our day at the zoo. (We watched the penguins being fed at the zoo.)

Point A · Exercise 95.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with a Type 1 or Type 2 relative clause. Use commas where necessary.

  1. Example

    My sister is a midwife. (She lives in Aberdeen.) My sister ...

    My sister, who lives in Aberdeen, is a midwife.

    AnswerMy sister, who lives in Aberdeen, is a midwife.

  2. The strike at the depot has now ended. (The strike began a fortnight ago.) The strike at the depot ...

  3. I lost a glove yesterday. (Someone has handed it in.) Someone has handed in ...

  4. I've had my van for twelve years. (The van has never broken down.) My van ...

  5. Lots of students entered the competition. (Only two of them finished in time.) Only two of ...

Point A · Exercise 95.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with a Type 1 or Type 2 relative clause. Use commas where necessary.

  1. Amy introduced me to her daughter. (Her daughter is a paramedic.) Amy introduced me ...

Point B of 3

that, and leaving the pronoun out

Both types use who for people and which for things.

Type 1: you can use that, and you can leave the pronoun out when it is the object.

Type 2: you cannot use that, and you cannot leave out who or which. Whom is possible for people as the object.

  • Do you know anyone who speaks Welsh? (or that speaks)
  • Ifan, who grew up on a farm, now runs a vegan café. (not that grew up)
  • We ate at the restaurant (that) you suggested.
  • We ate at Luigi's, which my sister suggested.
  • This morning I bumped into Chris, who I hadn't seen for ages.
  • On Saturday I ran into Chris, whom I hadn't seen since college.

Point B · Extra practice

Put in who or which. In clauses with commas, you cannot use that.

  1. Ifan, grew up on a farm, now runs a café.

  2. We ate at Luigi's, my sister recommended.

  3. This morning I saw Chris, I hadn't seen for ages.

Point C of 3

whose and where in both types

Whose and where work in both types.

  • We gave a lift to a couple whose train had been cancelled.
  • Lisa, whose train had been cancelled, arrived two hours late.
  • What was the name of the beach where you saw the seals?
  • Kate has just been to Cork, where her daughter lives.

Point C · Extra practice

Put in whose or where.

  1. We gave a lift to a couple car had broken down.

  2. Kate has gone to Cork, her daughter lives.

  3. Lisa, train was late, missed the start of the meeting.

Put it together · Exercise 95.3 · part 1 of 2

Are these sentences right? Write OK, or correct them and put in commas.

  1. Example

    Anna described her new flat that she adores.

    Anna described her new flat, which she adores.

    AnswerAnna described her new flat, which she adores.

  2. My office that is on the third floor is very cramped.

  3. The desk that I'm using this term is wobbly.

  4. Sarah's dad that used to be in the navy now works for a ferry company.

  5. The mechanic that checked my car said the brakes were fine.

Put it together · Exercise 95.3 · part 2 of 2

Are these sentences right? Write OK, or correct them and put in commas.

  1. The sun that is one of billions of stars gives us heat and light.

Lesson 95 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Relative clauses 5: extra information clauses (2)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Two kinds of relative clause–Not checkedB. that, and leaving the pronoun out–Not checkedC. whose and where in both types–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked