We use relative clauses to give additional information about something without starting another sentence.

By combining sentences with a relative clause, your text becomes more fluent and you can avoid repeating certain words. How to Form Relative Clauses Imagine, a girl is talking to Tom. You want to know who she is and ask a friend whether he knows her. You could say: A girl is talking to Tom. Do you know the girl? That sounds rather complicated, doesn't it? It would be easier with a relative clause: you put both pieces of information into one sentence. Start with the most important thing you want to know who the girl is. Do you know the girl As your friend cannot know which girl you are talking about, you need to put in the additional information the girl is talking to Tom. Use the girl only in the first part of the sentence, in the second part replace it with the relative pronoun (for people, use the relative pronoun who). So the final sentence is: Do you know the girl who is talking to Tom? Relative Pronouns relative use pronoun who subject or object pronoun for people example I told you about the woman who lives next door. Do you see the cat which is lying on the roof? He couldnt read which surprised me. Do you know the boy whose mother is a nurse?

whom

object pronoun for people, especially in nondefining relative clauses (in defining relative clauses we colloquially prefer who) subject or object pronoun for people, animals and things in defining relative clauses (who or which are also possible)

I was invited by the professor whom I met at the conference.

that

I dont like the table that stands in the kitchen.

Subject Pronoun or Object Pronoun? Subject and object pronouns cannot be distinguished by their forms - who, which, that are used for subject and object pronouns. You can, however, distinguish them as follows: If the relative pronoun is followed by a verb, the relative pronoun is a subject pronoun. Subject pronouns must always be used. the apple which is lying on the table If the relative pronoun is not followed by a verb (but by a noun or pronoun), the relative pronoun is an object pronoun. Object pronouns can be dropped in defining relative clauses, which are then called Contact Clauses. the apple (which) George lay on the table Relative Adverbs A relative adverb can be used instead of a relative pronoun plus preposition. This often makes the sentence easier to understand. This is the shop in which I bought my bike. This is the shop where I bought my bike. relative meaning use adverb when in/on which refers to a time expression refers to a example the day when we met him the place

which

subject or object pronoun for animals and things referring to a whole sentence

which

whose

possession for people animals and things

where

in/at

which

place

where we met him the reason why we met him

Choose the correct relative pronoun (who, which, whose). 1. This is the bank yesterday. was robbed

why

for which

refers to a reason

2. A boy sister is in my class was in the bank at that time. 3. The man two pistols. 4. He wore a mask like Mickey Mouse. 5. He came with a friend outside in the car. 6. The woman was young. 7. The bag was yellow. robbed the bank had

Defining Relative Clauses Defining relative clauses (also called identifying relative clauses or restrictive relative clauses) give detailed information defining a general term or expression. Defining relative clauses are not put in commas. Imagine, Tom is in a room with five girls. One girl is talking to Tom and you ask somebody whether he knows this girl. Here the relative clause defines which of the five girls you mean. Do you know the girl who is talking to Tom? Defining relative clauses are often used in definitions. A seaman is someone who works on a ship. Object pronouns in defining relative clauses can be dropped. (Sentences with a relative clause without the relative pronoun are called Contact Clauses.) The boy (who/whom) we met yesterday is very nice. Non-Defining Relative Clauses Non-defining relative clauses (also called nonidentifying relative clauses or non-restrictive relative clauses) give additional information on something, but do not define it. Non-defining relative clauses are put in commas. Imagine, Tom is in a room with only one girl. The two are talking to each other and you ask somebody whether he knows this girl. Here the relative clause is non-defining because in this situation it is obvious which girl you mean. Do you know the girl, who is talking to Tom? Note: In non-defining relative clauses, who/which may not be replaced with that. Relative Pronouns (who / which / whose)

made him look

waited

gave him the money

contained the money

8. The people were very frightened.

were in the bank

9. A man mobile was ringing did not know what to do. 10. A woman tried to calm her. 11. The car in was orange. 12. The robber too big didn't drive. 13. The man nervous. daughter was crying

the bank robbers escaped

mask was obviously

drove the car was

14. He didn't wait at the traffic lights were red. 15. A police officer car was parked at the next corner stopped and arrested them

10. This is the man who lives in Scotland. Object pronouns in non-defining relative clauses must be used. Jim, who/whom we met yesterday, is very nice. How to Shorten Relative Clauses? Relative clauses with who, which, that as subject pronoun can be replaced with a participle. This makes the sentence shorter and easier to understand. I told you about the woman who lives next door. I told you about the woman living next door. Do you see the cat which is lying on the roof? Do you see the cat lying on the roof? Relative Pronouns - necessary or not? Decide whether the relative pronouns must be used or not. 1. A calendar is something which tells you the date. relative pronoun is necessary relative pronoun is not necessary 2. Strikers are soccer players who try to score goals for their team. relative pronoun is necessary relative pronoun is not necessary 3. Jane is a person who everybody likes. Subject Pronouns or Object Pronouns? Decide whether the relative pronoun is a subject pronoun or an object pronoun. 1. Do you know the girl who I danced with? relative pronoun is necessary relative pronoun is not necessary 4. A stamp is something which you put on a letter if you want to send it. relative pronoun is necessary 2. Do you know the girl who danced with me? relative pronoun is not necessary 5. The Thames is a river which runs through London. relative pronoun is necessary relative pronoun is not necessary 6. Cheese is food which mice like eating. relative pronoun is necessary relative pronoun is not necessary 7. A racket is something which you use to hit a ball when you play tennis or badminton. relative pronoun is necessary relative pronoun is not necessary 8. That is a museum which lies in the heart of the town. 9. This is the man who Barbara visited in Scotland. 8. Socks are things which you wear on your feet. relative pronoun is necessary relative pronoun is not necessary

3. The apples that are lying on the table are bad. 4. The apples that we bought in the shop are bad. 5. We will stay at a hotel which is not far from the beach. 6. We will stay at a hotel which my friend has recommended to us. 7. That is a museum which I like very much. -

9. A guide is a person who shows tourists around around a place. relative pronoun is necessary relative pronoun is not necessary 10. Love is a feeling which nobody can describe. relative pronoun is necessary relative pronoun is not necessary Relative Adverbs Choose the correct relative adverb. 1.This is the station wherewhenwhy Emily met James. 2.July and August are the months wherewhenwhy most people go on holiday. 3.Do you know the reason wherewhenwhy so many people in the world learn English? 4.This is the church wherewhenwhy Sue and Peter got married. 5.Edinburgh is the town wherewhenwhy Alexander Graham Bell was born. 6.25 December is the day wherewhenwhy children in Great Britain get their Christmas presents. 7.A famine was the reason wherewhenwhy so many Irish people emigrated to the USA in the 19th century.
4. 1.

4. A DJ is someone(play music in a disco)

5. A bee is an insect(make honey) 6. A lemon is a fruit(be yellow and sour)

7. A watch is a thing(tell the time) 8. A ferry is a ship(carry people across the water)

9. A shop assistant is someone(work in a shop)

10. A key is a thing(can open and lock doors)

Exercise on Relative Clauses (Contact clauses)

default 0

Write relative clauses without using the relative pronoun. I gave you a book. It had many pictures. The book 2.
I gave you had m

I am reading a book at the moment. It is very interesting. The book

3.

You live in a town. The town is very old. The town The sweets are delicious. I bought them yesterday. The sweets

8.A greengrocer's is a shop wherewhenwhy you can buy vegetables. 9.The day wherewhenwhy I arrived was very nice. 10.A horror film was the reason wherewhenwhy I couldn't sleep last night. Relative Clauses - Formation Complete the sentences using relative clauses. Use who and which. 1. A Scot is a person(live in Scotland)
w ho lives in

5.

The football match was very exciting. My friend played in it. The football match

6.

The letter hasn't arrived yet. I posted it three days ago. The letter

7.

He lives in a house. The house is not very big. The house

8.

They are playing a song on the radio. Do you like it? Do you like

9.

Jane wore a beautiful shirt yesterday. Did you see it? Did you see

2. Nessie is a monster(live in Loch Ness)

10. Sue is going out with a boy. I don't like him. I don't like

3. A fridge is a thing(keep food cool)

Grammar rules with examples There are four basic types of conditional sentences in the English language. Examples: The zero conditional: I take my umbrella if it rains. The first conditional: I'll call you if I work late. The second conditional: If the bus didn't arrive on time, I would drive you to the airport. The third conditional: She wouldn't have come if I hadn't invited her. The zero conditional The zero conditional describes situations that are always true. If has the same meaning as when or whenever. If I go to school, I get up at seven. (Whenever I go to school I get up at the same time.) If you park your car on double yellow lines, you pay a fine. (Whenever you park illegally, you pay a fine.) We use the present simple tense in both the main clauses and the if clauses. The first conditional The first conditional sentences are used to speculate about possible situations that can really happen at present or in future. We do not use will in an if clause to describe future activities (compare it to time clauses). If he studies hard, he'll pass the exams. If we catch the 10.15 train, we will arrive on time. If you don't get the ticket, what will you do? We make if clauses with if + present tense and main clauses with will + bare infinitive. The second conditional In the second conditional sentences we speculate about situations that will probably never happen at present or in future. If I had more time, I would help you. (But I am not free at the moment. I can't help you). If I won a million dollars, I would start a business of my own. (But I know that it is not realistic.) We make if clauses with if + past tense and main clauses with would + bare infinitive. Note: the verb to be can be specific in the if clause. If I were rich, I wouldn't work. If he were younger, he would marry her. (But was is also possible: If I was rich, I wouldn't work. If he was younger, he would marry her.) But: If I were you, I wouldn't do it. (In this expression, were is much more usual than was.) Compare the first conditional with the second The main difference between the first conditional and the second conditional is about probability: the first conditional is realistic, the second conditional is unrealistic. Sometimes we can use both with the following difference in meaning. If I see him, I will tell him. (I suppose I will see him, because we go to the same school.) If I saw him, I would tell him. (I don't think I will see him, because he is ill.) If I need your help, I'll call you. (It is probable that I will need your help.) If I needed your help, I'd call you. (It is not very probable that I will need your help.) Sometimes we must use either the first conditional or the second conditional to make it clear that the situation is real or unreal. If you get up late, you will miss your bus. (a real situation) If I came from your country, I would understand your problems. (an unreal situation - I am not from your country.) Other forms Apart from the basic structures (if + the present simple + will and if + the past simple + would), we can also make different combinations. Examples - type 1: If you have finished your dinner, you can ask for the bill. If you are feeling tired, take a rest. If he is a good skier, he might make it. If you want to be slim, you should eat less. If you meet her, could you let me know? Examples - type 2: If I knew his address, I might go and see him. If we were on holiday, we would be lying on a beach now. Why are we watching this film? If we were watching the news, it would be more interesting. The third conditional The third conditional sentences always refer to the past. We speculate about situations that happened or did not happen in the past.

If I had won a million, I would have started a business of my own. (But I didn't win anything.) If he had met her, he would have told her. (Unfortunately, he didn't meet her.) If we hadn't practised, we wouldn't have won the match. (But we practised and won.) We make if clauses with if + past perfect and main clauses with would + perfect infinitive (have + past participle). But we can also combine other verb structures in third conditional sentences. We didn't save any money. If we had saved some money, we might have bought the house. She wasn't there and I wasn't sitting next to her. But if she had been there, I would have been sitting next to her. I was looking at the trees when I fell off the bike. If I hadn't been looking at the trees, I wouldn' t have fallen off the bike. The mixed conditionals In the mixed conditional sentences we can combine the second and third conditional. If he had left immediately, he would be here now. (He didn't leave immediately and isn't here.) If I had studied hard when I was young, I wouldn't be a porter now. (I didn't study and I am a porter.) If we hadn't told him the way while he was preparing for his journey, he would get lost now. (We told him and he isn't lost.) The inverted conditionals We can also make conditional sentences by changing the word order in the if clause. Had he booked the hotel room, he wouln't have slept at the camp. (If he had booked ... ) Were I in your position, I would accept it. (If I were ... ) This is less common, quite formal and is mostly used in writing. Note If is the most frequent expression in the if clauses, but other expressions are also possible. even if, provided (that), unless, on condition (that), in case Examples: You will leave tonight even if you don't want to. You can have your birthday party provided that you aren't noisy. We'll sell you the ranch on condition you pay in cash. You should take a dictionary with you in case you forgot some words. Unless you do something, she won't come back. (If you don't do anything, ... Third conditional THE THIRD CONDITIONAL We use the third conditional to talk about unreal situations in the PAST. The subordinate clause (if-clause) is always in the PAST PERFECT tense. The main clause in the conditional (would have + participle) EXAMPLES

- "If I had known her telephone number, I would have phoned her" (It means that you didn't have her telephone number and you didn't phone her)

We can use the Third Conditional to talk about 'impossible' conditions, impossible because they are in the past and we cannot change what has happened. If I had worked harder at school, I would have got better grades. If I had had time, I would have gone to see him. But I didn't have time. If we had bought that house, we would have had to rebuild the kitchen. If we had caught the earlier train, we would have got there on time but we were late. Notice that the main clause can contain 'would', 'could' or 'might. If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him. (But he wasn't there so I didn't.)

If I had seen him at the meeting, I could have asked him. ( But he wasn't there so it wasn't possible.) If I had seen him at the meeting, I might have asked him. (But I'm not sure. Perhaps if the opportunity had arisen.) If I had paid more attention in class, I would have unders tood the lesson. Also notice that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken. I'd have done it. ("if you had asked me but you didn't.") I wouldn't have said that. ("if I'd been there.") He wouldn't have let him get away with that. ("if he had tried that with

4 We would have visited the Prado gallery if we have) 5 If you hadn't been asking me questions all the time, I the film.(to enjoy)

time.(to

6 If I

your number, I would have phoned.(to know)

7 If just one person had remembered my birthday, I sad.(to be)

Make the third conditional

8 I would have understood the film if it German.(to be)

in

1) If you (not/be) late, we (not/miss) the bus. ..

9 They come)

to see you if they hadn't been away.(to

2) If she (study) she (pass) the exam. .. 10 If she there, she wouldn't have got a fine.(to park. 1. Complete the following sentences with the THIRD CONDITIONAL. Use abbreviations for the negative verbs:

3) If we (arrive) earlier, we (see) John. ..

4) If they (go) to bed early, they (not/wake) up late. ..

5) If he (become) a musician, he (record) a CD. .. 6) If she (go) to art school, she (become) a painter. ..

7) If I (be) born in a different country, I (learn) to speak a different language. .. 8) If she (go) to university, she (study) French. .

9) If we (not/go) to the party, we (not/meet) them. .. 10) If he (not/take) the job, he (go) travelling. .. 11) He (be) happier if he (stay) at home. .. a) If Jane (not/lose) her job as a sales representative in London, she (not/move) to Edinburgh. 12) She (pass) the exam if she (study) harder. .. b) If she (not/move) to Edinburgh, she (not/find) a job in a new company. c) If she (not/find) a job in the new company, she (not/meet) Adam. d) If she (not/fall) in love. e) If they (not/meet) Adam, they

13) We (not/get) married if we (not/go) to the same university. .. 14) They (be) late if they (take) a taxi. ..

15) She (not/meet) him if she (not/come) to London if they (take) a taxi. .. . 16) He (take) a taxi if he (have) enough money. .. 17) I (call) you if I (forget) my phone. .. 18) We (come) if we (be) invited. .. 19) She (not/do) it if she (know) you were ill. .. 20) He (be) on time if he (leave) earlier. 1 I wouldn't be angry if you (to eat) my chocolate mousse.

(not/fall) in love, Adam (not/ask) Jane to marry him.

2 If he you.(to know)

you were in hospital, he would have visited

3 We wouldn't have come by taxi if we find)

the right bus.(to

6) Use the words: meet & give If I with the customer yesterday I her your card.

7) Use the words: do & produce Your company better financially if you for the international market.

8) Use the words: think & succeed f) If Michael's alarm If you clock (ring) on time, he (have) time to have breakfast at home. g) If he (have) breakfast and home, he 9) Use the words: use & "to be" (feel) more relaxed. If you h) If he (feel) more relaxed, he better for the environment. (not/drive) so fast. i) If he "STOP" sign. j) If he (drive) slowly, he (see) the 10) Use the words: see & visit We (see) the sign, he the factory last week (not/crash) against the other car. 2. Choose the correct ending for the following sentences: a) If the weather had been better yesterday, b) If Jane had arrived on time last night, c) If I had studied more for my exams, d) We would have had a wonderful weekend e) The party would have been funnier An exercise on the Third Conditional 1) Use the word: begin If I knew this documentary was important, I had watched it If the seminar been on time. at 10:00 we would have If I would have known this documentary was important, I had watched it If I had known this documentary was important, I would've watched it 4. I walked home from the disco. My friend was too drunk to drive. I hadn't walked home from the disco if my friend wasn't too drunk to drive 3) Use the word: fix If you had informed us of these problems by 8:00 a.m. we them this morning. I wouldn't had walked home from the disco if my friend hadn't been too drunk to drive 5. I didn't go to the store. I thought it closed at 5pm. It closed at 6pm. If I had known the store had closed at 6pm, I would've gone If I knew the store would have closed at 6pm, I would've gone 5) Use the word: learn Your employees everything about the program if you had sent them to that training session. I would've gone to the store if I know it had closed at 6pm 6. I ate the yoghurt in the fridge. I thought it was mine, not yours. If I would have known the yoghurt was yours, I wouldn't have eaten it I wouldn't have walked home from the disco if my friend hadn't been too drunk to drive 1. I wasn't thirsty. I didn't drink the lemonade. If I was thirsty, I would drink the lemonade If I had been thirsty, I would've drunk the lemonade If I would have been thirsty, I drank the lemonade 2. I didn't know Kirsty was in town. I didn't call her. If I had known Kirsty was in town, I would have called her I had called Kirsty if I had know she was in town I would had called Kirsty if I have known she was in town 3. I didn't know watching this documentary was important for our exam. I didn't watch it. Mr. Johnson if we biodegradable products it . more positively you

2) Use the word: call If the customer her to try your cell phone. earlier I would have told

4) Use the word: increase If you had adopted that marketing strategy your profits dramatically.

If I had known the yoghurt was yours, I wouldn't have eaten it I hadn't eaten the yoghurt if I knew it was yours 7. I am really hungry now. I didn't have any breakfast. If I had some breakfast, I wouldn't be hungry now. If I would had had some breakfast, I wouldn't be hungry now. If I had had some breakfast, I wouldn't be hungry now 8. I didn't see Tony at the party. I wanted to speak to him about his vacation in France. If I saw Tom at the party, I would've spoken to him If I had seen Tom at the party, I would've spoken to him If I would have seen Tom at the party, I would've spoken to him.

Tell her if you I would have gone by air if I money. If I were younger

her. more

you marry me?

I could have a drink provided I drive. If I had lost my job what now? I would have eaten the meat if it tough. If she pretty. Unless she a cold. her hairstyle she would be

This gives you a grade of E. Question 1 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had been thirsty, I would've drunk the lemonade. Question 2 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had known Kirsty was in town, I would have called her. Question 3 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had known this documentary was important, I would've watched it. Question 4 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: I wouldn't have walked home from the disco if my friend hadn't been too drunk to drive. Question 5 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had known the store had closed at 6pm, I would've gone. Question 6 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had known the yoghurt was yours, I wouldn't have eaten it. Question 7 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had had some breakfast, I wouldn't be hungry now. Question 8 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had seen Tom at the party, I would've spoken to him. Answers... You Scored 0 out of 8 This gives you a grade of E. Question 1 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had been thirsty, I would've drunk the lemonade. Question 2 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had known Kirsty was in town, I would have called her. Question 3 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had known this documentary was important, I would've watched it. Question 4 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: I wouldn't have walked home from the disco if my friend hadn't been too drunk to drive. Question 5 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had known the store had closed at 6pm, I would've gone. Question 6 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had known the yoghurt was yours, I wouldn't have eaten it. Question 7 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had had some breakfast, I wouldn't be hungry now. Question 8 - Incorrect. Actual Answer was: If I had seen Tom at the party, I would've spoken to him.

Tell her if you Right: see I would have gone by air if I money. Right: had had If I were younger Right: would

her.

more

you marry me?

a coat she'll catch

I could have a drink provided I drive. Right: did not If I had lost my job what now? Right: would I do I would have eaten the meat if it

If he had asked you what would you . Even if I sleep well I headache. What will you do in case Bob If we island. have a

? see the

tough. Right: had not been If she pretty. Right: changed Unless she her hairstyle she would be

Answers... You Scored 0 out of 8

a coat she'll catch

a cold. Right: puts on If he had asked you what would you . Right: have said Even if I sleep well I headache. Right: always What will you do in case Bob Right: refuses If we island. Right: did not hire a boat we could have a

see the