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Relative Clauses
Two types
There are two types of relative clause: defining relative clauses, which specify which noun we are speaking about, and non-defining relative clauses, which add extra, non-essential, information to a noun. Defining relative clauses almost always sit immediately after the noun they describe. Non-defining relative clauses are introduced and followed by a comma (if they don't end the sentence).
Defining: The pen which I used is on the table. (I mean 'the one I used and no other')
Non-defining: My brother, who is a doctor, lives in France. (The conversation is about where my brother lives)
The following information concerns defining relative clauses only.
Relative pronouns
Relative pronouns are both pronouns and linkers which connect the relative clause to the noun they describe.
People
'Who' is the relative pronoun for people. In defining relative clauses, 'that' can always be used in place of 'who'. It is less formal though.
The boy who gave me his phone number is standing at the bus stop.
I know the woman who lives upstairs.
Things
'Which' is the relative pronoun for things. In defining relative clauses, 'that' can always be used in place of 'which'. It is less formal though.
This is the house which my mother has just bought.
The birds which nest in that tree always eat the seeds in our garden.
Possessions
'Whose' is the relative pronoun for possessions, but it acts as a determiner like 'my', 'your' or 'its'. Unlike 'who' or 'which', 'whose' must be followed by a noun.
That's the guy whose car is a Ferrari.
I know where there's a piano whose strings are out of tune.
Leaving out the relative pronoun
When the relative pronoun represents the object of the relative clause, it can be left out. This is very common in speech and writing, though less common in formal writing.
Subject: This is John. It's the dog which always sits on the steps. (It's the dog. He always sits on the steps.)
Object: This is John. It's the dog which I always talk to. (It's the dog. I always talk to it.)
Object (no relative pronoun): This is John. It's the dog I always talk to.
To do
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