Relative Clauses
Put a suitable relative pronoun in each space, or leave the space blank where possible.
1) The train _____________ I had to take has just been cancelled.
2) The presents ______________ they bought were expensive.
3) The plane __________ Thomas took was delayed.
4) Do you know the name of the city __________ you visited last summer?
5) Do you know the name of the boy __________ travelled with Margaret?
Answers
Put a suitable relative pronoun in each space, or leave the space blank where possible.
1) The train _____________ I had to take has just been cancelled.
The train (which) I had to take has just been cancelled.
2) The presents ______________ they bought were expensive.
The presents (which) they bought were expensive.
3) The plane __________ Thomas took was delayed.
The plane (which) Thomas took was delayed.
4) Do you know the name of the city __________ you visited last summer?
Do you know the name of the city (which) you visited last summer?
5) Do you know the name of the boy __________ travelled with Margaret?
Do you know the name of the boy who travelled with Margaret?
EXPLANATION
(Basic rules)
Subject:
The relative pronoun can be the subject of the clause:
El pronombre relativo puede ser el sujeto de la oraciĆ³n.
Laura has won the lottery. She is happy.
Laura who won the lottery is happy
Object:
The relative pronoun can be the object of the clause:
El pronombre relativo puede ser el objeto de la oraciĆ³n.
We went to visit the town. My friend recommended it.
We went to visit the town which / that my friend recommended.
This relative pronoun is not necessary.
Este pronombre relativo no es necesario.
Defining:
The information specifies what is being referred to
La informaciĆ³n especifica a que se estĆ” refiriendo
He loves a girl. She lives in Zaragoza.
He loves a girl who lives in Zaragoza.
(He is leaving clear that the girl he loves is the one who lives in Zaragoza)
(EstĆ” dejando claro que la chica que ama es la que vive en Zaragoza)
Non-defining:
The information is extra. It is separated by commas.
La informaciĆ³n es extra. EstĆ” separada por comas.
She loves England. It has got great pubs.
She loves England, which has got great pubs.
