Relative clauses without who, which or that

Definition

A zero relative clause omits who, whom, which, or that when the relative word would function as the object of the relative clause. The omitted object is understood from the noun before the clause.

Examples

• The book I bought is on the desk.

  This means the book that I bought; the omitted relative word is the object of bought.

• The person we met was very helpful.

  This means the person whom we met.

• The film Maya recommended won an award.

  The omitted relative word is the object of recommended.

Object relative vs. subject relative

Relative-pronoun omission is possible when the pronoun is an object, not when it is the subject of the relative clause.

Omission is normally limited to defining clauses

A zero relative is common in defining relative clauses, especially with a stranded preposition. A relative pronoun is not normally omitted from a non-defining clause.

• The chair I was sitting on was uncomfortable.

  The omitted relative word is the complement of the stranded preposition on.

• Maya's new laptop, which she bought yesterday, is already broken.

  The pronoun remains because this is a comma-separated non-defining clause.

Common mistakes