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Grammar reference

Relative Clauses

Defining Relative Clauses

Clauses that identify which person or thing.

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Explanation

A defining clause narrows the noun and takes no commas. Use who for people, which for things, that for either, and whose for possession. The relative pronoun can be left out when it is the object of the clause.

Examples

  • The woman who called left a message.
  • The book that I ordered arrived.
  • The student whose essay won is here.

Common mistakes

  • The woman which called left a message.

    The woman who called left a message.

    People take who.

  • The book who I ordered arrived.

    The book that I ordered arrived.

    Things take which or that.

  • The film, that I saw, was long.

    The film that I saw was long.

    Defining clauses take no commas.

More Relative Clauses

Non-defining Relative Clauses

Extra information set off by commas.

Relative Clauses with Prepositions and Where

Whose, where, when and stranded prepositions.