RELATIVE CLAUSES are introduced with

a) relative pronouns (who(m), which, whose, that) and b) relative adverbs (when, where, why)

A camel is an animal which/that lives in hot countriesA computer is something which/that we use for storing information. Can be omitted – it’s objectThat’s the book which/that I read last summer. Can be omitted – it’s objectA firefighter is someone who/that puts out fires and whose job is very riskyThat’s the building whose windows were smashed.He helped me refurbish my house, which was kind of him. Non-definingThe reason why she moved was that she didn’t like the house. Can be omitted (or replaced by that)That was the year when she moved. Can be omitted (or replaced by that)Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born, is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Non-definingFernando Pessoa, who wrote the guide Lisboa: what the tourist should see, lived in South Africa for six years. Non-defining

That is not possible here – non-identifying Can the relative pronoun/relative adverb be omitted in any of the sentences above? Why/why not?

Which of these relative clauses are defining? Which are non-defining?

Fill in who, which, whose, where or why.

My favourite place is York, a city in the North East of England, where the rivers Ouse and Fox meet. It is a beautiful city which also has an interesting history.

The city wasn’t always called York. In 71 AD it was named Eboracum by the Romans who/that lived there. Then, the city was conquered by the Vikings who/that gave the name Jorvik. Only later did the city become known as York.

Visitors to York can go to the castle Museum where an amazing collection of objects is on show, or the National Railway Museum, which is the only museum outside London.

Famous people who/that were born in York include Guy Fawkes, whose attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament led to his execution, and Dick Turpin, who/that was an 18th century highwayman! However, most people who/that live in York today are kind and friendly, and that’s the reason why I love it so much.

One of the most famous buildings in the world is the White House, which is the official home of the US president. The White House is in Washington DC. where there are many important buildings and monuments. The city, which was founded in 1790, was deliberately planned as a national capital. George Washington, who/that was the first US president and whose name was given to the city, wanted it to be the place where the nation’s government would permanently reside.

The White House, which was originally named Executive Mansion, was built in pale grey sandstone. The colour of the stone, which was so different from the surrounding red brick buildings, was the reason why the mansion became known as the White House. The main building, where many presidents have lived, is part of a large complex which/that consists of over 130 rooms.

People find the White House fascinating and that is the reason why the parts of the complex which are open to the public are toured every year by one and a half million people who/that want to see the place where their president lives and works.

Complete each sentence with two to five words, including the word in bold.1. The wall surrounding the castle is made of stone. that

The wall that surrounds the castle is made of stone.2. She comes from a village located at the foot of the mountain. which

She comes from a village which is located at the foot of the mountain.3. The people standing in the queue are all immigrants. who

The people who are standing in the queue are all immigrants. 4. The jewellery displayed in the exhibition belongs to the royal family. that

The jewellery that is displayed in the exhibition belongs to the royal family.

WHO/THAT – subject – cannot be omittedwho(m)/that -- object – can be omittedWHICH/THAT subject – cannot be omitted

object – can be omittedWHOSE -- possession – cannot be omitted[who, whom, which – non defining]