Chunks
Relative clauses
Band 4-5The full list of 20 words in this set. Open any word for its pronunciation, collocations, a band 8 sentence and the mistakes Vietnamese learners make.
Learn this set with flashcards20 words
- 1
where + S + Vgrammar
a relative adverb used to introduce a clause that describes a place.
“the town where I grew up”
- 2
when + S + Vgrammar
a relative adverb used to introduce a clause referring to a time.
“the year when I graduated”
- 3
why + S + Vgrammar
a relative adverb used to introduce a clause giving a reason (commonly after 'reason').
“the reason why I left”
- 4
the + adj + N + to Vgrammar
A pattern combining an adjective with a noun and a to-infinitive to describe order/uniqueness/characteristic (e.g. the first student to arrive).
“She was the only applicant to meet all criteria.”
- 5
N + to Vgrammar
A reduced relative clause using the to-infinitive to indicate purpose or the person/thing to be acted on (e.g. the person to contact = the person who you should contact).
“This is the person to contact about refunds.”
- 6
what + S + Vgrammar
a nominal relative clause using 'what' meaning 'the thing(s) that' or 'that which'.
“What she said surprised everyone.”
- 7
N + past participle (V3)grammar
A reduced relative clause using the past participle to express passive meaning (e.g. the report written by her = the report that was written by her).
“The documents signed yesterday are on my desk.”
- 8
N + of which + Vgrammar
a formal relative structure using 'of which' to indicate possession or relation, often used for things or abstract nouns.
“a book, the title of which I couldn't remember”
- 9
who/that + Vgrammar
Use who/that + verb to give essential information about people (defining relative clause).
“The teacher who teaches Maths is very strict.”
- 10
N + V-inggrammar
A reduced relative clause using the present participle to describe a noun (e.g. students waiting = students who are waiting).
“Students waiting outside must show their ID.”
- 11
the reason for + V-ing / Ngrammar
A phrase used to introduce the cause of something; followed by a noun or a gerund (V-ing).
“The reason for the delay was the heavy snow.”
- 12
which/that + Vgrammar
Use which/that + verb to give essential information about things or ideas.
“The book which explains climate change is on the shelf.”
- 13
whoever / whatever + Vgrammar
free relative pronouns used to mean 'anyone who' or 'anything that/whatever', introducing a clause without a specific antecedent.
“Whoever arrives first can choose a seat.”
- 14
, which + Vgrammar
Non‑defining relative clause (comma + which + verb) adds extra information and is set off by commas.
“London, which is the capital of England, is very busy.”
- 15
N + with + N/adjgrammar
A noun phrase using 'with' + noun/adjective to describe an accompanying feature of the noun, often replacing a relative clause (e.g. students with experience = students who have experience).
“Applicants with experience will be preferred.”
- 16
It + be + N + that + S + V (cleft sentence)grammar
A cleft sentence structure used to focus attention on a particular element (usually a noun phrase): It was X that Y.
“It was the poor planning that caused the project to fail.”
- 17
whose + Ngrammar
Use whose + noun to show possession in relative clauses (for people or things).
“The student whose phone rang left the room.”
- 18
N + having + V3grammar
A perfect participle clause used to show that the action was completed before the main action (e.g. students having completed the course...).
“Students having completed the course may apply for the certificate.”
- 19
Omit relative pronoun when it is the object: N + (that/who/which) + S + V → N + S + Vgrammar
If the relative pronoun is the object of the clause, it can be omitted in defining relative clauses.
“The book (that) I borrowed was interesting.”
- 20
preposition + whom/which (formal) / ... + ... + preposition-at-end (informal)grammar
Formal: preposition + whom/which; Informal: relative pronoun at clause end with preposition.
“The person to whom I spoke gave helpful advice.”