Welcome to B1 Intermediate! As my students start having deeper, more complex conversations with international visitors, they need to connect their ideas smoothly.
Defining relative clauses use words like who, which, and where to give essential information about a person, thing, or place in a single sentence. Let's learn how to link your sentences like a professional.
warning Common Mistake
In many languages, a single word is used to connect all clauses. In English, you must choose the correct relative pronoun based on the noun: use "who" for people, "which" for things/animals, and "where" for places.
Relative Pronouns in Context
Relative Pronoun
Who
Used to introduce a clause giving essential information about a person.
Example: Sophea is the guide who showed us the temples.
Relative Pronoun
Which
Used to introduce a clause giving essential information about a thing or animal.
Example: This is the bus which goes to the city every morning.
Relative Pronoun
That
Can be used instead of 'who' or 'which' for people or things, often in everyday speech.
Example: I want to buy the wooden sculpture that is sitting in the window.
Relative Adverb
Where
Used to introduce a clause giving essential information about a place or location.
Example: Pub Street is the area where tourists love to eat and relax in the evening.
Knowledge Check
local_taxi Tour Management
"The driver _____ took us to the airport was very professional."
(Hint: We need a word to describe the person driving.)
restaurant Recommending a Restaurant
"This is the restaurant _____ serves the best fish amok."
(Hint: We are describing the restaurant as a 'thing' that serves food, acting as the subject of the clause.)
map Giving Directions
"Let's meet at the cafe _____ we had coffee yesterday."
(Hint: We are talking about the location of an event.)
workspace_premium
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Study Resources
Lesson Summary & Review
Let's review the key concepts covered in the interactive module above to ensure you are ready to use relative clauses correctly.
Using Relative Pronouns
Defining relative clauses tell us exactly which person, thing, or place we are talking about. You must use the correct pronoun:
- Who: For people. (e.g., "The guide who helped us.")
- Which: For things or animals. (e.g., "The bus which goes to the city.")
- That: For people or things (often used in speaking instead of who/which).
- Where: For places. (e.g., "The cafe where we met.")
