grammar · neutral
cannot omit the relative pronoun when it is the subject
You cannot omit the relative pronoun when it functions as the subject of the relative clause; omission is allowed only when it's the object.
Examples
“People who live near the river tend to be more active outdoors.”
“The woman who wrote the report is on leave.”
“Incorrect: The woman wrote the report is on leave.”
Band 8 sentence
“Students who consistently engage in class discussions tend to develop stronger critical‑thinking skills.”
Collocations
- who/that as subject
Common mistakes
People live near the river are friendly.→People who live near the river are friendly.
The student passed the exam is my cousin.→The student who passed the exam is my cousin.
Say it for a higher band
5omit the pronoun (wrong)→6use that (acceptable)→7+use who/that correctly as subject
Easily confused
- omission (object only)
“The book I read was long.”
Related words
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In Relative clauses
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