Relative Clauses — Combining Two Sentences (B1)

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

I have a sister. She lives in Canada. → I have a sister lives in Canada. (one relative word)

Correct answer: who

The relative word is the subject and refers to a person, so use "who" (or "that" in a defining clause). "Which" is wrong because it can only refer to things, not people.

This is the train. It goes to Paris. → This is the train goes to Paris. (one relative word)

Correct answer: which

The relative word is the subject and refers to a thing, so use "which" (or "that"). "Who" is wrong here because a train is not a person.

That's the village. We grew up there. → That's the village we grew up. (one relative word)

Correct answer: where

"Where" joins the sentences because "there" refers to a place (= in the village). "Which" would be wrong because "grew up" has no missing object — the meaning is "in which".

I know a girl. Her brother is an actor. → I know a girl brother is an actor. (one relative word)

Correct answer: whose

"Whose" replaces the possessive "her" and is followed directly by the noun "brother". "Who's" (= who is) would be wrong because it is not "who is brother".

I remember the summer. We first met then. → I remember the summer we first met. (one relative word)

Correct answer: when

"When" joins the sentences because "then" refers to a time (= during which). "Where" would be wrong because a summer is a time, not a place.

The man is my uncle. I saw him yesterday. → The man I saw yesterday is my uncle. (one relative word)

Correct answer: who

The relative word is the OBJECT of "saw" and refers to a person, so "who", "that" or formal "whom" are all correct. "Which" is wrong because the man is a person. (In speech the word can even be left out, but here a word is required.)

The film was scary. We watched it last night. → The film we watched last night was scary. (one relative word)

Correct answer: which

The relative word is the OBJECT of "watched" and refers to a thing, so use "which" or "that". "Who" is wrong because a film is not a person.

It's a house. Its roof is bright red. → It's a house roof is bright red. (one relative word)

Correct answer: whose

"Whose" replaces the possessive "its" and works for things as well as people. "Which" is wrong because it cannot be followed directly by the noun "roof".

This is the restaurant. We had dinner there. → This is the restaurant we had dinner. (one relative word)

Correct answer: where

"Where" joins the sentences because "there" means "at the restaurant". "Which" would be wrong: "had dinner" has no missing object, so the place adverb "where" is needed.

She's the teacher. She teaches us maths. → She's the teacher teaches us maths. (one relative word)

Correct answer: who

The relative word is the subject and refers to a person, so use "who" or "that". "Which" cannot refer to a person, and "whose" would need a noun directly after it.

Tell me the reason. You were late for that reason. → Tell me the reason you were late. (one relative word)

Correct answer: why

"Why" is the relative adverb used after "the reason". "Because" is a conjunction, not a relative word, and "which" cannot follow "reason" here without a preposition ("for which").

I found the keys. They open the garage. → I found the keys open the garage. (one relative word)

Correct answer: which

The relative word is the subject and refers to things (keys), so use "which" or "that", even though the noun is plural. "Who" is only for people.

Monday is the day. The shop is closed on that day. → Monday is the day the shop is closed. (one relative word)

Correct answer: when

"When" joins the sentences because "that day" refers to a time (= on which). "Where" is wrong because a day is a time, not a place.

These are the children. Their drawings won the prize. → These are the children drawings won the prize. (one relative word)

Correct answer: whose

"Whose" replaces the possessive "their" and is followed directly by the noun "drawings"; it works with plural people too. "Who" plus a noun is ungrammatical, and "who's" means "who is".

Do you know anyone? They can fix old computers. → Do you know anyone can fix old computers? (one relative word)

Correct answer: who

The relative word is the subject and refers to a person ("anyone"), so use "who" or "that". "Which" cannot refer to a person, and "whose" would need a possessed noun immediately after it.

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

I have a sister. She lives in Canada. → I have a sister lives in Canada. (one relative word)

Correct answer: who

The relative word is the subject and refers to a person, so use "who" (or "that" in a defining clause). "Which" is wrong because it can only refer to things, not people.

This is the train. It goes to Paris. → This is the train goes to Paris. (one relative word)

Correct answer: which

The relative word is the subject and refers to a thing, so use "which" (or "that"). "Who" is wrong here because a train is not a person.

That's the village. We grew up there. → That's the village we grew up. (one relative word)

Correct answer: where

"Where" joins the sentences because "there" refers to a place (= in the village). "Which" would be wrong because "grew up" has no missing object — the meaning is "in which".

I know a girl. Her brother is an actor. → I know a girl brother is an actor. (one relative word)

Correct answer: whose

"Whose" replaces the possessive "her" and is followed directly by the noun "brother". "Who's" (= who is) would be wrong because it is not "who is brother".

I remember the summer. We first met then. → I remember the summer we first met. (one relative word)

Correct answer: when

"When" joins the sentences because "then" refers to a time (= during which). "Where" would be wrong because a summer is a time, not a place.

The man is my uncle. I saw him yesterday. → The man I saw yesterday is my uncle. (one relative word)

Correct answer: who

The film was scary. We watched it last night. → The film we watched last night was scary. (one relative word)

Correct answer: which

The relative word is the OBJECT of "watched" and refers to a thing, so use "which" or "that". "Who" is wrong because a film is not a person.

It's a house. Its roof is bright red. → It's a house roof is bright red. (one relative word)

Correct answer: whose

"Whose" replaces the possessive "its" and works for things as well as people. "Which" is wrong because it cannot be followed directly by the noun "roof".

This is the restaurant. We had dinner there. → This is the restaurant we had dinner. (one relative word)

Correct answer: where

"Where" joins the sentences because "there" means "at the restaurant". "Which" would be wrong: "had dinner" has no missing object, so the place adverb "where" is needed.

She's the teacher. She teaches us maths. → She's the teacher teaches us maths. (one relative word)

Correct answer: who

The relative word is the subject and refers to a person, so use "who" or "that". "Which" cannot refer to a person, and "whose" would need a noun directly after it.

Tell me the reason. You were late for that reason. → Tell me the reason you were late. (one relative word)

Correct answer: why

"Why" is the relative adverb used after "the reason". "Because" is a conjunction, not a relative word, and "which" cannot follow "reason" here without a preposition ("for which").

I found the keys. They open the garage. → I found the keys open the garage. (one relative word)

Correct answer: which

The relative word is the subject and refers to things (keys), so use "which" or "that", even though the noun is plural. "Who" is only for people.

Monday is the day. The shop is closed on that day. → Monday is the day the shop is closed. (one relative word)

Correct answer: when

"When" joins the sentences because "that day" refers to a time (= on which). "Where" is wrong because a day is a time, not a place.

These are the children. Their drawings won the prize. → These are the children drawings won the prize. (one relative word)

Correct answer: whose

"Whose" replaces the possessive "their" and is followed directly by the noun "drawings"; it works with plural people too. "Who" plus a noun is ungrammatical, and "who's" means "who is".

Do you know anyone? They can fix old computers. → Do you know anyone can fix old computers? (one relative word)

Correct answer: who

The relative word is the subject and refers to a person ("anyone"), so use "who" or "that". "Which" cannot refer to a person, and "whose" would need a possessed noun immediately after it.

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.