We are going to make a revision about relative clauses: defining, non-
defining and contact clauses) where the relative pronoun can be omitted)
Contact clauses – no relative pronouns
When relative pronouns can be left out
We leave out the relative pronoun (who/which/that) if it is not the
subject in the sentence.
► If there is a verb after the relative pronoun who/which/that, do not
leave out the relative pronoun.
Examples with the relative pronoun who
1st part of the sentence 2nd part of the sentence
This is the boy who was at the party yesterday.
Subject Verb Rest Subject Verb Rest
who is subject in the sentence, do not leave it out.
1st part of the sentence Pronoun 2nd part of the sentence
the at the party
This is who I met
boy yesterday.
This is the can be left I met at the party
1st part of the sentence Pronoun 2nd part of the sentence
boy out yesterday.
Subject Verb Rest Subject Verb Rest
who is not subject in the sentence, it can be left out.
Examples with the relative pronoun which/that
1stpart of the sentence 2nd part of the sentence
This is the bike which was in the shop window.
Subject Verb Rest Subject Verb Rest
which is subject in the sentence, do not leave it out.
1st part of the sentence Pronoun 2nd part of the sentence
the
This is which I bought yesterday.
bike
the can be left
This is I bought yesterday.
bike out
Subject Verb Rest Subject Verb Rest
which is not subject in the sentence, it can be left out.
Choose the correct relative pronoun or relative adverb.
1. The woman is sitting at the desk is Mr Winter's secretary.
2. I cannot remember the reason he wanted us to leave.
3. Jane, mother is a physician, is very good at biology.
4. She didn’t see the snake was lying on the ground.
5. Do you know the shop Andrew picked me up?
Combine the sentences with relative clauses. (Decide whether to use
commas or not.)
1. A monk is a man. The man has devoted his life to God.
A monk
2. I have one black cat. His name is Blacky.
I have
3. A herbivore is an animal. The animal feeds upon vegetation.
A herbivore
4. Carol plays the piano brilliantly. She is only 9 years old.
Carol
5. Sydney is the largest Australian city. It is not the capital of Australia.
Sydney
6. Combine the sentences with contact clauses.
1. We ordered a book. It was very expensive.
2. You are sitting on a bench. The paint on the bench is still wet.
3. The photographer could not develop the pictures. I had taken them
in Australia.
4. One of the bins smells awful. You haven’t emptied the bin for 3
weeks.
5. They are singing a song. I don’t know the song.
Combine the sentences with relative clauses or contact clauses. Use
contact clauses where possible. (Decide whether to use commas or not.)
1. The city seems to be abandoned. It is usually crowded with people.
2. You made an offer. We cannot accept it.
We
3. A midwife is a woman. She assists other women in childbirth.
A woman
4. Three youngsters were arrested by the police. They had committed
criminal offences.
The police
5. The World Wide Web has become an essential part of our lives. It
was invented by Tim Berners-Lee.
Tim Berners-Lee
