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Relative Clauses Exercises
Relative Clauses Exercises
These exercises are based on the Reading and Use of English paper where you may be tested on this grammar point.
Open close - write one word to complete the sentence.
Key word transformation - complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
Key word transformation
Tom has two sisters. Both of them are studying medicine.
OF
Tom has two sisters, both ____________________ medicine.
of whom are studying
both of whom refers to Tom’s two sisters.
Key word transformation
The summer was extremely hot. We travelled to Greece then. WHEN
The summer ____________________ was extremely hot.
when we travelled to Greece
Defining relative clause with when as a time expression.
Key word transformation
I grew up in a small town. My grandparents still live there.
WHERE
The small town ____________________ is where I grew up.
where my grandparents still live
where is used for places. The clause adds essential information.
Key word transformation
The proposal was rejected. No one agreed with it during the meeting.
WHICH
The proposal ____________________ during the meeting was rejected.
with which no one agreed
with which refers to the proposal.
Key word transformation
There were twenty students on the course. Most of them passed the exam.
WHOM
There were twenty students on the course, ____________________ passed the exam.
most of whom
Quantity expression referring to the students.
Key word transformation
The reason she didn’t come is unclear.
WHY
I don’t know ____________________ not come.
(the reason) why she did
why introduces the reason in the relative clause.
Key word transformation
The film won an Oscar. You recommended it to me.
THAT
The film ____________________ me won an Oscar.
that you recommended to
that refers to the object of the clause the film.
Key word transformation
That’s the restaurant. We ate there last night.
WHERE
That’s the restaurant ____________________ dinner last night.
where we had/ate
where replaces there and refers to a place.
Key word transformation
In summer the water is always warm. You can go swimming.
WHEN
In summer, ____________________ warm, you can go swimming.
when the water is
when introduces a time clause referring to the general period summer.
Key word transformation
The hotel belongs to a woman. She’s not here at the moment.
WHO
The woman ____________________ isn’t here at the moment.
who the hotel belongs to
who refers to the woman and is the object of the verb.
Key word transformation
The road takes you to the top of the mountain. It’s very steep.
THAT
The road ____________________ the top of the mountain is very steep.
that takes you to
that introduces a defining clause referring to the road.
Key word transformation
This is the bank. We borrowed the money from it.
WHICH
This is the bank ____________________ the money.
from which we borrowed
from which is a formal equivalent of the bank we borrowed the money from.
Key word transformation
This is Mr Smith. His son Bill plays in our team.
WHOSE
This is Mr Smith ____________________ plays in our team.
whose son Bill
whose expresses possession - the son "belongs" to Mr Smith.
Key word transformation
Brenda is a friend. I went on holiday with her.
WHO
Brenda is the friend ____________________ on holiday with.
who I went
who refers to Brenda and is the object of the clause I went with her.
Key word transformation
I went to two pay phones, but they were both out of order.
NEITHER
I went to two pay phones, ____________________ worked.
neither of which
of which follows neither to refer to the the two phones.
Key word transformation
The shop where I used to work has closed down.
WHICH
The shop ____________________ work has closed down.
at/in which I used to
at/in which is a formal alternative to where when referring to a place.
Key word transformation
We've interviewed all of the candidates but we haven’t found anyone suitable for the job.
NONE
We’ve interviewed all of the candidates, ____________________ suitable for the job.
none of whom are/were
of whom follows the quantity expression none and refers to people.
Key word transformation
I spoke to a very helpful assistant manager last week.
WHOM
The assistant manager ____________________ last week was very helpful.
to whom I spoke
whom is the object of the verb spoke, used after the preposition to.
Key word transformation
In 1986 they gave their first concert in Europe.
WAS
1986 ____________________ they gave their first concert in Europe.
was the year when/in which
when or in which is used to refer to the time expression the year.
Key word transformation
I hadn't heard from Robert for years and yesterday I received a letter from him.
WHO
I received a letter from Robert yesterday ____________________ from for years.
who I had not/hadn't heard
who introduces a defining relative clause referring to a person Robert.