Relative Clauses — Omitting the Relative Pronoun (B2)

"The film (that/which) I watched last night was terrifying." — Can the relative pronoun be omitted here?

No, because the pronoun is the subject of the relative clause.Yes, because the pronoun is the object of the relative clause.No, because "that" cannot be omitted in formal written English.Yes, but only if the pronoun is replaced by a comma.

Correct answer: Yes, because the pronoun is the object of the relative clause.

"The woman who runs the bakery has won several awards." — Can "who" be omitted?

Yes, because the clause is defining.Yes, because "who" refers to a person.No, because "who" is the subject of the relative clause.No, because the sentence uses a non-defining clause.

Correct answer: No, because "who" is the subject of the relative clause.

"The key (that) I need is on the table." — What is the grammatical function of "that" in this sentence?

It is the object of "need"; the sentence can stand without it.It is the subject of "is" and cannot be omitted.It introduces a non-defining relative clause.It is a conjunction joining two independent clauses.

Correct answer: It is the object of "need"; the sentence can stand without it.

Which sentence has a relative pronoun that CANNOT be omitted?

The report (that) she submitted was excellent.The coffee (that) I ordered was cold.The man (that) the police arrested was released the next day.The student who arrived late disrupted the whole class.

Correct answer: The student who arrived late disrupted the whole class.

"The architect ___ designed this building is very famous." — Can the gap be left empty?

Yes, the relative pronoun is the object and can be omitted.No, the relative pronoun is the subject and must be kept.Yes, but only in informal spoken English.No, because non-defining clauses always require a pronoun.

Correct answer: No, the relative pronoun is the subject and must be kept.

"This is the hotel ___ we stayed at on our honeymoon." — Which is correct?

Only "that" can be used here; no omission is possible.Only "where" can be used here; no omission is possible.The pronoun can be omitted: "This is the hotel we stayed at on our honeymoon.""which" must be used and cannot be omitted in formal English.

Correct answer: The pronoun can be omitted: "This is the hotel we stayed at on our honeymoon."

"The problem ___ the engineers encountered was more serious than expected." — Which sentence is correct?

The problem the engineers encountered was more serious than expected.The problem was more serious than expected, that the engineers encountered.The problem, the engineers encountered, was more serious than expected.The problem that the engineers encountered it was more serious than expected.

Correct answer: The problem the engineers encountered was more serious than expected.

A student says: "Have you met the colleague I told you about her?" — What is the error?

"the colleague" should be followed by "whom" for formal English."told" should be in the past perfect tense.A comma should be added after "colleague"."her" is redundant — the object is already covered by the omitted pronoun.

Correct answer: "her" is redundant — the object is already covered by the omitted pronoun.

"The letter ___ arrived this morning contained some surprising news." — Can the gap be empty?

Yes, "that" is the object here and can be omitted.No, "that" is the subject of "arrived" and must be kept.Yes, if the sentence is spoken rather than written.No, because letters require "which" and it cannot be omitted.

Correct answer: No, "that" is the subject of "arrived" and must be kept.

"The professor, ___ I have always admired, has just published a new book." — Can the pronoun be omitted?

Yes, because the pronoun is the object of "admired".Yes, because the clause is about a person.No, because non-defining relative clauses always require a relative pronoun.No, because only "whom" can follow a comma in this structure.

Correct answer: No, because non-defining relative clauses always require a relative pronoun.

Which of the following is a CONTACT CLAUSE (a relative clause with the pronoun omitted)?

Is this the application form you were looking for?The report which was submitted yesterday was incomplete.My colleague, who joined the team last month, is very capable.The building whose roof was damaged has been evacuated.

Correct answer: Is this the application form you were looking for?

"The only thing ___ matters now is finishing the project on time." — Can the gap be empty?

Yes, the pronoun is the object here.Yes, in informal speech the pronoun is always optional.Yes, after "the only thing" the pronoun is always dropped.No, "that" is the subject of "matters" and cannot be omitted.

Correct answer: No, "that" is the subject of "matters" and cannot be omitted.

"She showed me all the photos ___ she had taken during the trip." — How many of these options are correct? (i) pronoun omitted, (ii) "that", (iii) "which"

Only one is correct.All three are correct.Only "that" is correct.Only "which" and "that" are correct.

Correct answer: All three are correct.

"I've read the book ___." — Which completion creates a sentence where the relative pronoun CAN be omitted?

which is on the top shelfwhose cover is tornyou recommended to methat deals with climate change

Correct answer: you recommended to me

Which sentence is INCORRECT?

The agreement, reached after lengthy negotiations, it has been signed.The agreement reached after lengthy negotiations has been signed.The agreement that was reached after lengthy negotiations has been signed.The agreement which was reached after lengthy negotiations has been signed.

Correct answer: The agreement, reached after lengthy negotiations, it has been signed.