Olly English
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Olly is preparing your space...
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Academic Excellence
Relative clauses are like the invisible threads in a painting—they connect different parts of your sentence to create a complete picture. In English, we use these clauses to give more information about a person or thing without starting a new sentence.
Use defining relative clauses to say exactly which person or thing you mean. Without this info, the sentence doesn't make sense. Rule: No commas!
Use non-defining relative clauses to add extra 'bonus' details. The sentence works without them. Rule: You MUST use commas!
| Pronoun | Used for... | Example |
|---|---|---|
| who / that | People 👤 | The girl who called... |
| which / that | Things 🖼️ | The art which I saw... |
| where | Places 📍 | The city where he lived... |
| whose | Possession 🔑 | The man whose car is red... |
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct | Tip 💡 |
|---|---|---|
| The book, that I read. | The book, which I read. | No 'that' after a comma! |
| The man what I saw. | The man who I saw. | Never use 'what' for people. |
| He is the guy who he lives here. | He is the guy who lives here. | Don't repeat 'he'. |