---
title: "Relative Clauses"
description: "Form and use relative clauses beginning with relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, which, that) and relative adverbs (where, when, why) to add detail, qualify nouns, and create complex sentences"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/relative-clauses-mt_YQ64pzcLDl
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/relative-clauses-mt_YQ64pzcLDl.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Relative Clauses

Form and use relative clauses beginning with relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, which, that) and relative adverbs (where, when, why) to add detail, qualify nouns, and create complex sentences

Subject: English · Area: Grammar & Punctuation · Ages 9 to 10
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/relative-clauses-mt_YQ64pzcLDl

## Ready when they can

- Combine a main clause with a relative clause using 'who' or 'which' to add information about a noun, e.g. 'The dog, which had a red collar, barked loudly'
- Choose the correct relative pronoun (who for people, which for things, where for places, when for times) and identify the noun it refers back to
- Recognise that a relative clause beginning with 'that' can often replace 'who' or 'which' in defining clauses, e.g. 'The book that I read' vs 'The book which I read'

## Lesson: Relative Clauses: Clauses That Describe

You already know a subordinate clause can add extra detail to a sentence. A relative clause is one special kind. It sits right after a noun and describes it, using words like who, which, that, where, or when.

**Example.** Look at this sentence: 'The dog, which had a red collar, barked loudly.' The part 'which had a red collar' is the relative clause. It describes the dog, telling you more about it without starting a new sentence.

*(drawing: The middle part, 'that meowed', describes the cat. That is the relative clause.)*

How do you pick the right word? Use who for people, which for things, where for places, and when for times. Each word points back to the noun it describes.

Two more words can start a relative clause. Whose shows that something belongs to the noun: 'The boy whose dog ran away looked everywhere.' Take care not to mix whose with who's, which means who is. The word why can follow the word reason: 'That is the reason why I called.'

Commas matter too. If the clause only adds extra detail you could take away, wrap it in commas: 'My bike, which is bright blue, has a bell.' If the clause tells you exactly which one, like 'The bike that has a bell is mine,' it needs no commas.

**Tip.** In many sentences, 'that' can swap in for 'who' or 'which' without changing the meaning. 'The book that I read' means the same as 'The book which I read'.

**Recap.** A relative clause describes a noun using who, which, that, whose, where, when, or why, right after that noun. Wrap it in commas when it only adds extra detail.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Pronouns for clarity](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/pronouns-for-clarity-mt_9yFAtUkoYr)
- [Subordinate clauses](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/subordinate-clauses-mt_wq-1OJ_8s5)

## Opens up

- [Phrases & Clauses](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/phrases-and-clauses-mt_IdFxLz-UW9)
- [Types of Sentences](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/types-of-sentences-mt_T9IXrlxfx2)
- [Varying Sentence Structure](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/varying-sentence-structure-mt_ZO2iP89cld)