Relative clauses

Omitting the relative pronoun

Sometimes it is possible to leave the relative pronoun out. If a verb immediately follows the relative pronoun, it is also omitted. Consider these examples:

1. Gandhi, which is the best book I have ever read, is about an Indian independence leader.

We can remove the relative pronoun:

1. Gandhi, the best book I have ever read, is about an Indian independence leader.

2. The lady who John married is from Venezuela.

Again, we can remove the relative pronoun:

2. The lady John married is from Venezuela.

So what are the rules?

Read the following examples and then identify the correct rule below:

1. That’s the man who we met last week. ✔ The relative pronoun can be omitted.
2. The man that broke your bicycle, tried to deny it. ✘ The relative pronoun cannot be omitted.
3. The mobile phone which is on the table is broken. ✔ The relative pronoun can be omitted.
4. The mobile phone that was stolen, has been found by the police. ✘ The relative pronoun cannot be omitted.
5. I can’t find the new book that I bought last week. ✔ The relative pronoun can be omitted.
6. The book that broke all records on the bestsellers list is called ‘Story of a crime.’ ✘ The relative pronoun cannot be omitted.

Find the rule:

• Read the sentences above.
• Find what is common in all the sentences where the relative pronoun can’t be omitted (marked with a ✘).
• Click here if you can’t remember the meaning of subject and object.

Click here for an explanation of passive and active.