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EFL and ESL Printable GRAMMAR WORKSHEET Teens &Adults + ANSWER KEY Level: adult elementary

Grammar: Defining and non-defining relative clauses

1a Read the news article.

NEW APARTMENTS TO BE SOLD

A new residential building, (1) which is owned by XY Corp, is going onto the market

next week. The North Lakefront district, (2) where many other prestigious buildings

stand, is the very desirable location of XY Plaza. Architect Paolo Pazzo, (3) who has

designed many other buildings around town, is particularly proud of this one. "This is

the kind of work (4) that I love to do," he said. "This is the reason (5) why I became an

architect." Pazzo, (6) whose office is located in New York, has already bought one floor

of the building. "I love this city," he says. "My wife, for (7) whom this city is very

important, wanted an apartment here. Now we have one." Next year, (8) when their

space in the building is finished, they will move here permanently. Many of the

apartments have views (9) which include the lake and the distant mountains. You can

make an appointment for a viewing by calling Janine Pain at ...

1b Match the relatives to what they refer to.

1 who

2 why

3 where

4 which

5 whom

6 when

7 whose

8 how

a place

b person as object

c time

d in what way

e person's possession

f person

g thing

h reason

1c Complete the statement with: defining or non-defining.

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_______ relative clauses are necessary to the sentence; they are usually not separated

from the main clause by commas. ______ relative pronouns introduce extra

information; the clause is normally separated from the main clause by commas.

1d Look at the text again. Identify the clauses as defining (D) or non-defining (ND).

1 ___

2 ___

3 ___

4 ___

5 ___

6 ___

7 ___

8 ___

9 ___

1e Fill in the missing relatives.

To whom it may concern.

I am writing to complain about the Supertense Exercise Machine (1) _____ I bought

from your company last week. First of all, it is very difficult to assemble. A colleague of

mine, (2) _____ is a mechanical engineer, spent hours trying to put it together. I

eventually had to call an expert (3) ______ company specializes in such work. After six

hours, (4) _____ it was finally assembled, he handed me a bill for $400! He also

explained that the tools (5) ______ were included with the machine were not suitable

for the job. I also have to say that, (6) ______ I finally managed to try it out, I found the

machine very difficult to use. My knees, (7) ______ were already in a delicate state,

have become very painful. I have also reinjured my back, (8) ______ was just beginning

to heal. These are the reasons (9) _____ I want you to reimburse my money. Otherwise

I’ll write a review on the Internet so prospective customers are aware of (10) ____

awful your product and service is.

Paul Parton

2a Combine the sentences using defining or non-defining clauses and the correct

relatives.

1 My boss is great to work for. She is a friend of my sister. My boss, who is a friend of

my sister, is great to work for.

2 Julia left work early. I can't tell you the reason. ____________________________

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3 My retirement account is managed by an investment firm. It is doing fairly well.

__________________________________________

4 I met my business partner. We were at university together.

____________________________________________________

5 I am fed up with working so much overtime. This is my reason for quitting.

_____________________________________________________

6 My tax accountant is amazingly efficient. He also plays soccer with me.

_______________________________________________________________

7 The house is for sale. I grew up there. _____________________________

8 My English teacher is retiring next month. I owe her my success.

________________________________________________________

2b Look at the pictures. Write sentences using the cues.

1

co-worker / also friend / great to work with

_______________________________________________

2

garden room / in a terrible state / needs to be organized

______________________________________________________

3

grandparents' house / I spent many summers / now owned by sister

______________________________________________________

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4 the young publicist/ I interviewed for an hour / has experience in sport brands

______________________________________________________________

5 the ski resort/ we spent our winter vacations / is closed temporarily for maintenance

_________________________________________________________________

6 Louisa / called to check on her family after the earthquake. This was the reason of her

call.

____________________________________________________________

3a Complete the sentences with true facts about your own life.

1 The person who helped me grow as a person was ________________

2 The first place where I went dancing was ____________________________

3 An incident or event that changed my life significantly was __________

4 The person to whom I first gave a heartfelt card or an important gift was

______________

5 The first place I visited which changed my view of life was _____________

6 The first thing/object which I acquired after a big effort was ____________

3b Write similar sentences as in 3a but about your present or future.

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Scroll down for the answer key

ANSWER KEY Level: Adult basic - Defining and non-defining relative clauses

1b

1 f 2 d 3 a 4 g 5 b 6 c 7 e 8 h

1c

defining; non-defining

1d

1 ND 4 D 7ND

2 ND 5 D 8 ND

3 ND 6 D 9 D

1e

1 which 2 who 3 whose 4 when 5 which 6 when 7 which 8 which 9 why 10 how

2a

2 I can’t tell you why Julia left work early.

3 My retirement account, which is managed by an investment firm, is doing fairly well.

My retirement account, which is doing fairly well, is managed by ...

4 I met my business partner when we were at university together.

5 The reason why I’m quitting is that I am fed up with working so much overtime.

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6 My tax accountant, who is amazingly efficient, plays soccer with me. My tax

accountant, who plays soccer with me, is amazingly efficient.

7 The house where I grew up is for sale.

8 I owe my success to my English teacher who is retiring next month.

My English teacher, to whom I owe my success, is retiring...

2b

1 My co-worker, who is also a friend, is a great person to work with.

2 The garden room, which is in a terrible state, needs to be organized.

3 My grandparents' house, where I spent many summers, is now owned by my

sister.

4 The young publicist, whom I interviewed for an hour, has experience in sport

brands

5 5 the ski resort, where we spent our winter vacations, is closed temporarily for

maintenance

6 The reason why Louisa called was to check on her family after the earthquake.