Study · Academic grammarModule 04
Relative Clauses and Concise Sentences
Level B1–B2
Learning goals
- In this lesson, you will learn how relative clauses connect information to a noun. You will practise choosing relative pronouns, using commas correctly, and combining short sentences into clearer academic sentences.
Step 1 — Read and discover
Read the passage. Notice how the bold relative clauses add information about people, places, things and ideas.
Why Green Spaces Matter
Urban parks provide benefits that researchers have studied for many years. A recent report examined neighbourhoods where residents had access to public green spaces. The researchers interviewed people who used these areas regularly and compared their answers with those of residents in places without nearby parks.
The findings suggested that people who lived close to green spaces often reported more opportunities for exercise and social contact. Trees and plants, which can reduce some forms of air pollution, may also make streets more comfortable during hot weather. One park, which had been redesigned in 2022, attracted more visitors after new paths and seating were added.
The report also discussed community gardens, whose members shared responsibility for planting and maintenance. These gardens offered places where neighbours could meet and exchange advice. However, the researchers noted a limitation: the survey included only people who chose to take part, so the results may not represent every resident.
The study, which was published in a regional planning journal, did not prove that parks alone improve well-being. It showed, instead, that access to green spaces is one factor that may support healthier neighbourhoods. Further research is needed to understand which designs work best and for whom.
Check your understanding
1. What did the researchers compare?Try again
1. What did the researchers compare?
✓
2. Why did the researchers mention a limitation?Try again
2. Why did the researchers mention a limitation?
✓
3. What conclusion did the report support?Try again
3. What conclusion did the report support?
✓
Step 2 — Understand the grammar
A relative clause gives more information about a noun. Study the examples and notice whether the clause identifies the noun or adds extra information.
Defining relative clauses
A defining relative clause tells us which person or thing we mean. It is not separated by commas.
- The students who completed the survey received a follow-up email.
- The method that the team used was inexpensive.
Use who for people, which for things, and that for people or things in many defining clauses. Whose shows possession, and where refers to a place.
Non-defining relative clauses
A non-defining relative clause adds extra information. The sentence still identifies the person or thing without it, so commas are used.
- The report, which was published in May, attracted attention.
- Dr Ahmed, who led the study, presented the results.
Do not use that in non-defining relative clauses.
Omitting the relative pronoun
In a defining clause, you can often omit who, which or that when it is the object of the clause.
- The article (that) we discussed was useful.
- The researcher (who) I interviewed works at the university.
Do not omit the pronoun when it is the subject: “The researcher who conducted the study …”
Grammar cards
relative clause
noun clauseB1–B2A clause that gives more information about a noun.
“The study that we discussed was useful.”
- defining relative clause
- non-defining relative clause
Word family: relative clauses, clause
A relative clause usually follows the noun it describes.
defining relative clause
grammar structureB1–B2A clause that identifies which person or thing is meant.
“The students who completed the task received feedback.”
- identify a noun
- no commas
Word family: defining clause, relative clause
Do not use commas around a defining relative clause.
non-defining relative clause
grammar structureB1–B2A clause that adds extra information about an already identified noun.
“The report, which was published in May, attracted attention.”
- add extra information
- use commas
Word family: non-defining clause, relative clause
Do not use that in a non-defining relative clause.
relative pronoun
grammar termB1–B2A word such as who, which, that or whose that introduces a relative clause.
“The scientist who led the study gave a talk.”
- who
- which
- that
- whose
Word family: pronoun, relative word
The choice depends on meaning and clause type.
who
relative pronounB1–B2Used mainly for people in relative clauses.
“The researcher who designed the survey won an award.”
- people
- researcher who
Word family: relative pronoun
Who can be the subject or object of a relative clause.
which
relative pronounB1–B2Used for things and animals in relative clauses.
“The report, which was released yesterday, contains new figures.”
- things
- non-defining clauses
Word family: relative pronoun
Which is common in non-defining clauses about things.
that
relative pronounB1–B2Used for people or things in many defining relative clauses.
“The method that the team used was inexpensive.”
- defining clause
- people or things
Word family: relative pronoun
Do not use that in a non-defining relative clause.
whose
relative pronounB1–B2Shows possession or a relationship to a person or thing.
“The student whose project won received a prize.”
- possession
- whose project
Word family: relative pronoun
Whose can refer to people and sometimes things.
where
relative adverbB1–B2Used to refer to a place in a relative clause.
“The laboratory where the samples were analysed has new equipment.”
- places
- location
Word family: relative adverb
Where often means in which or at which.
when
relative adverbB1–B2Used to refer to a time in a relative clause.
“The year when the policy changed was important.”
- time
- period
Word family: relative adverb
That or which may sometimes be possible instead, depending on the sentence.
comma
punctuationB1–B2A mark used to separate parts of a sentence, including non-defining relative clauses.
“The report, which appeared in June, included new data.”
- commas
- punctuation
Word family: comma, punctuation mark
A non-defining relative clause is usually enclosed by commas when it appears in the middle of a sentence.
antecedent
grammar termB1–B2The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun or relative clause refers to.
“In ‘the book that I read’, book is the antecedent.”
- noun referred to
- antecedent noun
Word family: noun, reference
The antecedent normally appears before the relative clause.
subject relative clause
grammar structureB1–B2A relative clause in which the relative word acts as the subject.
“The team that collected the data checked every entry.”
- relative word as subject
- subject
Word family: relative clause
Do not normally omit the relative pronoun when it is the subject.
object relative clause
grammar structureB1–B2A relative clause in which the relative word acts as the object.
“The article (that) we discussed was useful.”
- relative word as object
- object
Word family: relative clause
In many defining object relative clauses, the pronoun can be omitted.
omitted relative pronoun
grammar featureB1–B2A relative pronoun left out when grammar allows it.
“The paper (that) we reviewed was clear.”
- pronoun omission
- zero relative
Word family: relative pronoun, omission
Omission is generally possible in defining clauses when the pronoun is the object.
essential information
meaningB1–B2Information needed to identify which person or thing is meant.
“The students who arrived early found seats.”
- identifying information
- defining information
Word family: essential, defining
Defining relative clauses provide essential identifying information.
extra information
meaningB1–B2Information that adds detail but is not needed to identify the noun.
“The library, which opened in 1998, is being renovated.”
- additional detail
- non-essential information
Word family: non-defining, additional
Non-defining relative clauses are separated by commas.
sentence combining
writing skillB1–B2Joining two or more short sentences into one grammatically connected sentence.
“The centre opened last year. It has a new laboratory. → The centre, which opened last year, has a new laboratory.”
- combine sentences
- join clauses
Word family: sentence combination, combining
Check that the combined sentence preserves the original meaning.
concise sentence
writing styleB1–B2A sentence that expresses an idea clearly without unnecessary words.
“The report that was published last week is available online.”
- clear expression
- avoid unnecessary words
Word family: concise, concision
Concise writing is not simply writing the shortest possible sentence.
relative adverb
grammar termB1–B2A relative word such as where or when that introduces a clause about place or time.
“The year when the policy changed was significant.”
- where
- when
Word family: relative adverb
Use the word that matches the relationship being described.
Step 3 — Meaning in context
Choose the best answer, then check your choices.
1. The participants who completed the second survey were contacted again. Which people were contacted?Try again
1. The participants who completed the second survey were contacted again. Which people were contacted?
✓
2. The report, which appeared last month, received attention. What does the relative clause do?Try again
2. The report, which appeared last month, received attention. What does the relative clause do?
✓
3. The laboratory where the samples were analysed has new equipment. What does where refer to?Try again
3. The laboratory where the samples were analysed has new equipment. What does where refer to?
✓
4. The scientist whose article was cited gave a lecture. What does whose express?Try again
4. The scientist whose article was cited gave a lecture. What does whose express?
✓
5. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?Try again
5. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
✓
Step 4 — Complete the sentences
Type the missing word or phrase. More than one answer may be accepted when it fits the sentence.
1.The researcher led the project presented the results.Try again✓
2.The survey, was conducted online, received 800 responses.Try again✓
3.The town the experiment took place has a small university.Try again✓
4.The student report won the prize thanked the research team.Try again✓
5.The article we read yesterday explains the method clearly.Try again✓
6.The equipment, was imported last year, needs regular checks.Try again✓
7.People live near the station often use public transport.Try again✓
8.The data the team collected will be analysed next week.Try again✓
Step 5 — Identify the grammar
Choose the best correction or answer.
1. In “The students who passed the test received certificates,” the relative clause is:Try again
1. In “The students who passed the test received certificates,” the relative clause is:
✓
2. In “The report, which was released in April, contains new figures,” commas show that the clause:Try again
2. In “The report, which was released in April, contains new figures,” commas show that the clause:
✓
3. Which relative word normally refers to possession?Try again
3. Which relative word normally refers to possession?
✓
4. In a defining relative clause, when can the relative pronoun often be omitted?Try again
4. In a defining relative clause, when can the relative pronoun often be omitted?
✓
5. Which sentence is correct?Try again
5. Which sentence is correct?
✓
Step 6 — Combine the sentences
Join the ideas into one sentence using the word in brackets. Write a complete sentence.
1.The researcher won an award.She designed the survey.(Use: who)
✓
Try again2.The report is available online.It was published last week.(Use: which)
✓
Try again3.We visited a centre.The experiments take place there.(Use: where)
✓
Try again4.The student gave a presentation.His project received funding.(Use: whose)
✓
Try again5.The team analysed the samples.The samples arrived on Monday.(Use: that)
✓
Try againStep 7 — Quick review
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. Which word best completes the sentence? “The professor, __________ specialises in linguistics, gave a talk.”Try again
1. Which word best completes the sentence? “The professor, __________ specialises in linguistics, gave a talk.”
✓
2. Which sentence uses commas correctly for extra information?Try again
2. Which sentence uses commas correctly for extra information?
✓
3. “The device that measures air quality is expensive.” The clause identifies:Try again
3. “The device that measures air quality is expensive.” The clause identifies:
✓
4. Choose the correct sentence.Try again
4. Choose the correct sentence.
✓
5. Which relative word is used in “the author whose book won the award”?Try again
5. Which relative word is used in “the author whose book won the award”?
✓