Dependent clauses come in three types: noun clauses, relative clauses, and adverb clauses. 

Noun clauses replace other nouns in a sentence, but relative and adverb clauses modify words already in the sentence rather than removing and replacing them. 

Noun clauses replace subjects, objects, or subject complements in sentences. 

For example: 

• Biobots are changing how we think of robots.

In the sentence above, the noun clause how we think of robots is acting as the direct object, answering the question “changing what?”

Relative clauses are dependent clauses that give the reader more information about another noun in the sentence.

For example: 

• The unicorn possessed magical powers, which could heal the sick.

In this sentence, the relative clause which could heal the sick modifies the subject, unicorn, by identifying which magical powers it possessed.

Adverb clauses are dependent clauses that modify or give more information about a verb in the sentence.

For example: 

• When they are awake, they usually don’t travel more than 40 yards per day.

In this sentence, the adverb clause when they are awake modifies the verb travel by showing when the action of the sentence took place.

For this post, we will focus on relative clauses, but you can learn more about noun clauses and adverb clauses on the Albert blog.

When you’re ready, test yourself with a quiz  and practice with our high-quality, standards-aligned questions here.

The Basics of Relative Clauses

What is a Relative Clause? 

A relative clause is a dependent clause that can modify any noun in the independent clause. Relative clauses always start with relative pronouns and must connect to an independent clause to create a complete thought. 

For example:

• I scheduled an interview with her mother, who is the CEO of a prominent banking institution.

In this sentence, the relative clause who is the CEO of a prominent banking institution modifies the object of the prepositional phrase, with her mother.

What are the two types of Relative Clauses? 

Relative clauses answer one of two questions when it comes to modifying a noun in the independent clause: which one or what kind? Additionally, different relative pronouns are used when referring to either people or things. 

1. Which One/What Kind: People

The relative pronouns who, whom, and whose are used in relative clauses to modify people. 

For example: 

• My friend, whose favorite sport is tennis, recently won a match against a fierce competitor. 

In this sentence, the relative clause helps to specify which friend the speaker is referring to in the independent clause. 

2. Which One/What Kind: Things 

On the other hand, the relative pronouns that and which are used to describe things. 

For example: 

• The store that we shopped at yesterday is having a huge sale today. 

In the sentence above, the relative clause that we shopped at yesterday indicates which store the speaker is referring to in the independent clause. 

Additionally, relative clauses can be used to describe the kind or type of person or thing that is named in the independent clause. 

For example: 

• For this position, we are looking for someone who is hardworking and cooperates well with others. 

In the sentence above, the kind of person that the company wishes to hire is described in the relative clause.

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3 Tips for Understanding Relative Clauses

Here are some important tips to help you understand relative clauses: 

Tip #1. Relative Clauses must connect back to someone or something mentioned previously in the sentence 

For example: 

• My uncle, who is a war veteran, was recognized in a special ceremony last weekend. 

Without the noun, uncle, being introduced earlier in the sentence, the relative pronoun who would not make sense. Relative clauses are helpful tools for adding information, but without that initial noun, relative pronouns have nothing to “relate” or “connect back to”. 

Tip #2. Relative clauses always start with a relative pronoun and modify a noun in the sentence 

For example: 

• The necklace, which was her great grandmother’s, was lost at sea many years ago.  

In this sentence, the dependent relative clause helps to specify which necklace was lost at sea to add clarity to the independent clause. 

Tip #3. Relative clauses always modify key words in a sentence rather than replace them

Relative clauses are similar to noun clauses in that they are both considered dependent clauses; however, while noun clauses replace nouns in the independent clause, relative clauses modify nouns in the independent clause instead of replacing them. 

For example — here is the same pronoun used in both a noun clause and in a relative clause. They may look similar; however, their functions are very different. 

• Noun clause: She could not decide which pie she liked better.
• Relative clause: The chocolate pie, which was made by her grandfather, was her favorite. 

In the first example, the noun clause replaces the direct object in the independent clause. In the second example, the relative clause modifies the subject of the independent clause. As long as you understand the function of each of these clauses, you can avoid becoming confused as a reader and as a writer.

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Applying the Basics: Relative Clause Review & Practice

Now that you understand how relative clauses function in sentences, review the anchor chart below and complete the review to fully understand how to use and recognize these clauses. 

The Ultimate List of Clauses

Refer to the graphic below to learn the different types of Clauses:

This list, obviously, does not include all possible examples of clauses; however, it is meant to be used as a guide while identifying sentence clauses.

Relative Clauses Exercises and Review 

Now that you know how to identify relative clauses, test your ability to find these in sentences.

Select the relative clause(s) in the sentences below. Remember, a relative clause modifies a noun in the independent clause, and relative clauses always start with relative pronouns. 

1. The Black Pearl, which was once Jack Sparrow’s prized possession, was now in the ownership of Captain Barbossa. 

In this sentence, the relative clause which was once Jack Sparrow’s prized possession gives more information about the ship, the Black Pearl.

2. Elizabeth had stowed away a gold medallion which she had taken from Will when he was a boy.

In this sentence, the relative clause which she had taken from Will when he was a boy modifies which gold medallion was hidden away.

3. Lieutenant Norrington, who was honestly much older than Elizabeth, was surprised when she refused to marry him. 

In the sentence above, the relative clause who was honestly much older than Elizabeth describes what kind of person Lieutenant Norrington was in relation to Elizabeth. 

Pro tip: Remember, relative clauses can modify any noun in the independent clause. 

For additional practice, check out Relative Clauses content on Albert.

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Try for Yourself: Relative Clauses Quiz 

Feeling confident in your understanding of Relative Clauses? 

Take this short six-question quiz to see what you’ve learned:

1. Can relative pronouns exist in a sentence without the help of any other nouns? 

• Answer: No
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Relative pronouns that begin relative clauses must connect back to another noun in the sentence; otherwise, they do not make sense.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, relative pronouns that begin relative clauses must connect back to another noun in the sentence; otherwise, they do not make sense.

2. Do relative clauses only modify the subject of the independent clause? 

• Answer: No
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Relative clauses can modify any noun in the independent clause, subject or object.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, relative clauses can modify any noun in the independent clause, subject or object.

3. In this sentence, which relative pronoun is needed to start the relative clause? 

My hairbrush that/who went missing yesterday was found buried in the yard today. 

• Answer: that
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The relative pronoun, that, must start the relative clause because the subject, hairbrush, is a thing and not a person.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, the relative pronouns that and which are used to refer to places and things, while the relative pronouns who and whom are used to refer to people.

4. In this sentence, which relative pronoun is needed to start the relative clause? 

The security camera footage helped the police identify who/which broke into our cafe overnight.

• Answer: who
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The relative pronoun, who, must start the relative clause because it is most likely that a human broke into the cafe, which means that either who or whom is needed.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, the relative pronouns that and which are used to refer to places and things, while the relative pronouns who and whom are used to refer to people.

5. In this sentence, is the underlined clause a relative clause or an adverb clause? 

Whenever it is snowing, I like to watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

• Answer: Adverb
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The subordinating conjunction, whenever, begins the clause, making it an adverb clause. Additionally, the clause acts like an adverb because it modifies the verb, like to watch by answering the question, “when”.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, relative clauses modify nouns and start with relative pronouns. Adverb clauses on the other hand modify verbs and start with subordinating conjunctions.

6. In this sentence, is the underlined clause a relative clause or an adverb clause? 

Taylor Swift, who is my favorite artist, is performing in Dallas, TX in June. 

• Answer: Relative
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The clause, who is my favorite artist is a relative clause because it starts with a relative pronoun. Also, the clause modifies the subject, Taylor Swift.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, relative clauses modify nouns and start with relative pronouns. Adverb clauses on the other hand modify verbs and start with subordinating conjunctions.

For additional practice with Relative Clauses, check out our practice on Albert: Relative Clauses.

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Teacher’s Corner for Relative Clauses

Relative clauses are a great tool for spicing up students’ writing by adding details about people, places, things, and ideas. One of the trickiest things for students to remember when using relative clauses is making sure to include a noun for the clause to connect or “relate back to”. 

For specific standards on the different types of clauses, including relative clauses, check out the Common Core State Standards website. 

Albert’s Relative Clause Practice is helpful in teaching students to recognize and utilize these types of clauses by providing ample practice questions. Albert also provides grammar assessments and quizzes that can be used to track student understanding before, during, and after they’ve practiced with this grammar skill.

Summary for Relative Clauses

Relative clauses can modify any noun in the independent clause(s) of a sentence. They always begin with a relative pronoun, and they must be attached to an independent clause in order to make a complete sentence.

Relative clauses answer two questions:

1. Which One
2. What Kind 

The relative pronouns that and which are used to describe things, and the relative pronouns who, whom, and whose are used to describe people.

Be sure to check out our grammar course for more Dependent Clause practice. 

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