Advanced Relative Clauses

Target Structures:

Who, Whom, Whose, That, Which, Where,

When, Why, Whereby, By which, Of whom,

Of which, Of whose, About which

Grammar Focus:

Defining & Non-defining Relative Clauses

Goal:

Accurately use advanced relative clauses to describe people, places, reasons, and abstract ideas — improving clarity, precision, and fluency in both formal and spoken English.

1. Warm-Up (5 min)

Questions (answer in full sentences):

1. Who is someone who has had a lasting impact on you?
   Sample answer: “My former boss, who always challenged me to think critically, influenced my career deeply.”

2. Can you describe a place where you feel completely at ease?
   Sample answer: “The mountains where my grandparents live are incredibly peaceful.”

🗣️ Mini Follow-up:
Why do you think relative clauses are useful in advanced English communication?

2. Presentation – Grammar & Meaning (10 min)

A. Defining Relative Clauses

Give essential information that defines or identifies the noun.
✅ No commas.

Examples:

• The book that you lent me was fascinating.

• The woman who runs this café is Italian.

• The city where I was born has changed a lot.

🧩 If you remove the clause, the sentence becomes unclear.
→ “The book was fascinating” → Which book?

Let the student give an example!

B. Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Add extra, non-essential information.
✅ Use commas.

Examples:

• My neighbour, who is a doctor, travels a lot.

• Barcelona, which is known for its architecture, attracts millions of tourists.

• Last year, when I finished university, was a turning point.

🧩 If you remove the clause, the sentence still makes sense.

Let the student give an example!

C. Relative Pronouns & Advanced Uses

Relative Pronouns

Who – Refers to people as the subject of the clause.
Example: “The woman who helped me works here.”

Whom – Refers to people as the object (formal).
Example: “The professor whom I spoke to was kind.”

Whose – Shows possession.
Example: “The author whose book won a prize is famous.”

That – Refers to people or things in defining clauses only.
Example: “The company that hired me is expanding.”

Which – Refers to things or ideas.
Example: “The idea which he proposed was accepted.”

Where – Refers to a place.
Example: “The café where we met has closed.”

When – Refers to a time.
Example: “The day when we met was unforgettable.”

Why – Refers to a reason.
Example: “I don’t know the reason why he left early.”

Whereby – Means “by which means” or “through which” (formal). ultimately referring to the way something is done.
Example: “They created a system whereby citizens can register online.”

By which – Means “through which” or “as a result of which” (formal).
Example: “He discovered a method by which plants can grow faster.”

Of whom – Refers to people, often showing possession or reference among a group.
Example: “She has two brothers, one of whom lives abroad.”

Of which – Refers to things, often showing possession or reference among a group.
Example: “He wrote three novels, two of which were bestsellers.”

During which - introduces a time period in which something takes places, it means “in the course of which.”

Example: "They played a game, during which they were able to get along."

Of whose – Indicates shared possession (formal).
Example: “The team, of whose success we are proud, won the championship.”

About which – Refers to a topic (formal).
Example: “They discussed a proposal about which little is known.”

💬 Mini Task:
Make one formal sentence using by which and another using of which.

3. Controlled Practice (5 min)

Choose the correct option:

1. The person ____ you should speak to is the project manager.
   (a) who (b) whom (c) whose

2. They introduced a new law ____ citizens must register their property.
   (a) whereby (b) why (c) when

3. The university, ____ reputation is excellent, has opened a new campus.
   (a) whose (b) which (c) of which

4. This is the method ____ we can test the theory effectively.
   (a) whereby (b) by which (c) of which

5. The company has five departments, two ____ have recently merged.
   (a) which (b) of which (c) of whom

6. The author, ____ you met at the conference, is releasing a new book.
   (a) who (b) whom (c) whose

7. The film, ____ soundtrack was composed by Zimmer, won several awards.
   (a) of which (b) whose (c) about which

8. They arranged a meeting, during ____ several key decisions were made.
   (a) which (b) when (c) whereby

✅ Answer Key with Explanations

1 → (b) whom
Explanation: “Whom” is correct because it is the object of “speak to.”
“Who” would be incorrect here (it’s used for the subject), and “whose” shows possession, which doesn’t fit.

2 → (a) whereby
Explanation: “Whereby” means “by which means” — it introduces the process through which citizens must register.
“Why” refers to a reason, not a process, and “when” refers to time, so both are incorrect.

3 → (a) whose
Explanation: “Whose” shows possession — the university possesses the reputation.
“Which” and “of which” are incorrect because they can’t directly show possession before a noun.

4 → (b) by which
Explanation: “By which” means “through which,” suitable for describing a method.
“Whereby” would also work but is slightly broader in meaning (“in which manner”), while “of which” would indicate possession, which doesn’t fit here.

5 → (b) of which
Explanation: “Of which” refers to part of a group — two of the five departments.
“Which” alone wouldn’t link grammatically, and “of whom” refers to people, not departments.

6 → (b) whom
Explanation: “Whom” is correct as the object of “met.”
“Who” would be used if it were the subject (e.g., “who met you”), and “whose” indicates possession.

7 → (b) whose
Explanation: “Whose soundtrack” expresses possession correctly (the film has a soundtrack).
“Of which” is grammatical but less natural; “about which” changes the meaning to “regarding,” which isn’t appropriate.

8 → (a) which
Explanation: “During which” introduces a time period within the meeting.
“Whereby” means “by which means,” so it doesn’t fit, and “when” is redundant after “during.”

4. Interactive Practice – Speaking (5 min)

Complete the sentences and expand:

1. I’ll never forget the day ____

2. The person ____ inspired me most was…

3. I admire people ____

4. The reason ____ I started learning English is…

5. This is a situation ____ technology truly helps.

6. I recently read a book ____

7. Our city created a policy ____ residents can recycle more easily.

🗣️ Follow-up prompts:

• Add a non-defining clause to give more detail.

• Try using whereby, by which, or of which at least once.

Example: “I work for a company, by which I’ve learned a lot about teamwork and leadership.”

5. Application – Descriptive Task (10 min)

🎯 Task: Describe 2 concepts: a person, place, or invention using at least six relative clauses each, including one with by which or whereby.

Example model:

“Marie Curie, who discovered radium, was a scientist whose work revolutionised medicine. She developed a technique by which radiation could be measured, a discovery which saved countless lives. Her laboratory, where she spent most of her time, became a place of inspiration for future researchers.”

🗣️ After writing or speaking, share with your partner/tutor and identify:

• One defining clause

• One non-defining clause

• One advanced structure (e.g. of which, by which, whereby)

6. Discussion – Fluency Extension (10 min)

Answer in full sentences, giving examples and reasons.

1. Do you prefer writing styles which are formal or informal? Why?

2. Can you think of a law or rule by which people must live in your country?

3. What’s an invention without which modern life would be impossible?

4. Describe a place where traditions are still alive today.

5. Do you think too many relative clauses make writing confusing, or richer?

6. How can relative clauses help you sound more sophisticated in academic writing?

7. Tell me about a situation whereby you learned an important lesson.

🎯 Mini Challenge:
Retell a short story or recent event using five different relative clauses, including one non-defining and one advanced formal connector.

7. Wrap-Up & Review

🗣️ Quick Recap:

• Defining Clauses → essential, no commas

• Non-defining Clauses → extra info, commas

• Who / Whom / Whose → people

• Which / That → things or ideas

• Where / When / Why → place, time, reason

• Whereby / During which / By which → formal, means, time or process

• Of which / Of whom / Of whose / About which → formal references or possession