20 Examples of Complex Sentences with Relative Clauses (Who, Which, That)

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔍 Relative Clauses: These clauses add extra information to a noun in the main clause. They begin with relative pronouns like 'who,' 'which,' and 'that.'
• 🧑‍🏫 'Who': Used for people. Example: The teacher who gave the lecture is an expert.
• 📦 'Which': Used for things. Example: The book which I borrowed is very interesting.
• 🔗 'That': Can be used for both people and things, but sometimes less formal. Example: The car that he bought is new.
• ✏️ Essential vs. Non-essential Clauses: Essential clauses are necessary to the meaning of the sentence and are NOT set off by commas. Non-essential clauses provide extra information and ARE set off by commas.
• 💡 Example of Essential: The student who studies hard will succeed. (No commas needed)
• ✅ Example of Non-essential: My sister, who is a doctor, lives in New York. (Commas needed)

Practice Quiz

1. Which sentence correctly uses a relative clause?
   1. A) The dog, that barked, was loud.
   2. B) The dog that barked was loud.
   3. C) The dog who barked was loud.
   4. D) The dog, who barked, was loud.
2. Which relative pronoun is most appropriate for referring to a person?
   1. A) Which
   2. B) That
   3. C) Who
   4. D) What
3. Identify the sentence with the non-essential relative clause:
   1. A) The book that I read was exciting.
   2. B) My mom, who is a nurse, works hard.
   3. C) The movie that we saw was boring.
   4. D) The house that he built is beautiful.
4. Which sentence uses 'which' correctly?
   1. A) The man, which is tall, is my brother.
   2. B) The car which is red is mine.
   3. C) The girl which is singing is talented.
   4. D) The dog, who is friendly, wags its tail.
5. Choose the sentence with the correctly punctuated relative clause:
   1. A) My friend who lives in London is visiting.
   2. B) My friend, who lives in London, is visiting.
   3. C) My friend, who lives in London is visiting.
   4. D) My friend who, lives in London, is visiting.
6. Which sentence is grammatically incorrect?
   1. A) The person that helped me was kind.
   2. B) The car, which I drive, is old.
   3. C) The book that I am reading is long.
   4. D) The dog who's barking is annoying.
7. Which option best completes the sentence: "The cake, _____ I baked, was delicious."
   1. A) who
   2. B) that
   3. C) whom
   4. D) what