Defining Relative Clauses

• CEFR B1
• Grammar
• Printable
• Answer key

Defining Relative Clauses is a printable grammar worksheet for English language learners at CEFR level B1. It covers who which that where, with 5 exercises and an answer key.

Defining relative clauses tell us exactly which person, place, or thing we mean. They are essential to the meaning of the sentence — without them, the sentence is unclear or incomplete.

Use WHO for people, WHICH for things, WHERE for places, WHOSE to show possession, and THAT for people or things (especially in informal English).

In defining relative clauses, the relative pronoun can be omitted when it is the object of the clause: "The book (that) I bought yesterday was excellent."

Examples

• The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
• The film that we watched last night was amazing.
• Do you know the city where he grew up?
• The student whose project won the prize is in my class.
• I've lost the book that you lent me.
• The restaurant where we had dinner has closed down.
• She's the manager who hired me two years ago.
• The phone (that) I bought last week already has a problem.

What's in this worksheet

1. Choose the correct pronoun
2. Correct the mistake
3. Complete with your own idea
4. Join the sentences
5. Gap fill

Common mistakes

• The man which called is my brother.  →  The man who called is my brother. Use 'who', not 'which', for people.
• I know a place where you can relax there.  →  I know a place where you can relax. Don't repeat the pronoun ('there') — 'where' already refers to the place.
• The girl whose she won is in my class.  →  The girl whose essay won is in my class. Don't add a subject pronoun after 'whose' — 'whose' replaces it.
• She's the person which I trust most.  →  She's the person who / that I trust most. Use 'who' or 'that' for people — not 'which'.

Speaking prompts

• Describe a person who has had a big influence on your life.
• What is a place where you feel completely relaxed? Describe it.
• Tell your partner about a film, book, or song that you love — and why.
• Describe a skill or quality that you think is important for a teacher to have.