Relative Clauses
Listen to four conversations using the grammar point.
Answer the following questions about the interview.
Relative Clauses
Point 1: A relative clause connects a clause to a noun.
- The house where I grew up is no longer there.
- The school that I attended is now closed.
Point 2: A relative clause can use relative pronouns (that, which, who, whom) to connect clauses to a noun.
- I need a car that I can drive to work.
- We need a teacher who speaks Italian.
- I met a guy whom you'd love!
Point 3: If the noun being modified is the same word as the subject in the clause, it is not spoken.
- He has a dog that does really cool tricks.
- He has a dog. The dog does really cool tricks.
- We know a guy who fixes old cars.
- I know a guy. He fixes old cars.
Point 4: If the noun being modified is the same word as the object in the clause, it is not spoken.
- These are the shoes that I bought.
- These are the shoes. I bought them.
- I met a man who you know.
- I met a man. You know him.
Point 5: In spoken English, the relative pronoun is often not spoken.
- These are the shoes I bought.
- These are the shoes that I bought.
- I met a man you know.
- I met a man who you know.
Point 6: A relative clause can also use these relative adverbs (where, when) to connect clauses.
- Let’s go to a cafe where we can sit outside.
- Summer is a time when I can finally relax.
About the Teacher
My name is Todd Beuckens and I am an ESL teacher in Thailand. I created this site to provide teachers and students free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.