Mastering IELTS Complex Relative Clauses

Complex Relative Clauses

Complex Relative Clauses (e.g., "The book that I read was thrilling") allow you to add detailed information to a noun within the same sentence. By integrating a relative pronoun and a clause, you can combine ideas, avoid repetition, and enhance sentence complexity—crucial for achieving a higher band in IELTS.

Why Use Relative Clauses?

• Improve sentence variety and complexity.
• Link related ideas smoothly.
• Demonstrate grammatical range and cohesion, key criteria in IELTS writing and speaking.

Rule Explanation

Relative clauses fall into two categories:

1. Defining (Restrictive) Clauses

   • Provide information essential to identify the noun.
   • No commas are used.
   • Introduced by who, which, that, whom, whose, where, or when.
   • Zero relative pronoun: Omit 'that' or 'which' when they act as objects.
     Example: The report (that) you submitted was impressive.

2. Non-Defining (Non-Restrictive) Clauses

   • Add extra, non-essential details.
   • Enclosed in commas.
   • Introduced by who, which, whose, where, or when (never 'that').
     Example: Our guide, who speaks five languages, made the tour enjoyable.

Choose the correct pronoun based on reference:

• who: subject for people (e.g., The teacher who explained the topic was clear.)
• whom: object for people (formal) (e.g., The candidate whom we interviewed impressed us.)
• which: for animals and things (e.g., The book which won the award is on the shelf.)
• that: for people, things, animals in defining clauses (e.g., The car that we rented was economical.)
• whose: possession for people or things (e.g., I saw a house whose roof was damaged.)
• where: for places (e.g., The city where I studied is vibrant.)
• when: for times (e.g., The day when we met was memorable.)

Punctuation Tips

• Defining clauses: No commas.
• Non-defining clauses: Use commas to separate the clause.
  Incorrect: My sister who lives abroad is visiting.
  Correct (defining): My sister who lives abroad is visiting.
  Correct (non-defining): My sister, who lives abroad, is visiting.

Punctuation changes meaning:

• Students who arrive late will miss the lecture. (Only latecomers miss it.)
• Students, who arrive late, will miss the lecture. (Implies all students arrive late.)

Examples

• Correct: The student who studies daily improves quickly.
  Explanation: A defining clause specifying which student.

• Correct: The museum, which houses ancient artifacts, is open daily.
  Explanation: A non-defining clause adding extra details.

• Correct: I met a writer whose novel won several awards last year.
  Explanation: 'Whose' denotes possession (the writer’s novel).

• Correct: The village where I grew up has changed significantly.
  Explanation: 'Where' refers to a place in a defining clause.

• Correct: We still remember the day when we first met.
  Explanation: 'When' introduces a defining time clause.

• Correct: The device (that) you bought has a two-year warranty.
  Explanation: Zero relative pronoun in a defining clause.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Incorrect pronoun: The book who I borrowed was fascinating. (Use 'which' or 'that'.)
• Mixing clause types: My cousin, who works overseas, sent a gift. vs My cousin who works overseas sent a gift. (Need commas for non-defining.)
• Using 'which' in defining clauses with people: Incorrect: The doctor which treated me was kind.

Combining ideas with complex relative clauses can increase your grammatical range in writing or speaking.

IELTS Success Tip

Using relative clauses can elevate your writing score by showing you can handle complex structures. Instead of writing:

• 'The city is beautiful. I visited the city last year.'
  Combine:
• 'The city which I visited last year is beautiful.'

Avoid repetition and link ideas smoothly to improve cohesion.

Practice Question

Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:

The novel ___ I borrowed from the library was thrilling.

A) who
B) which
C) whose
D) where

Show Answer

Answer: B) which

Explanation: 'Which' is the appropriate pronoun for a thing (novel), introducing a defining clause essential to the meaning.

Key Takeaways

• Determine if the clause is defining (no commas) or non-defining (with commas).
• Use the correct pronoun: who, which, that, whose, whom, where, or when.
• Experiment with zero relative pronouns in defining clauses for conciseness.
• Practice grammar correction with Lingo Copilot