11+ English · Topic explained
Relative clauses
How can you squeeze extra information about a noun into the middle of a sentence?
The big idea
A relative clause adds information about a noun, starting with who, which, that, whose, where or when.
Picture it
A relative clause is a sticky note on a noun: extra facts stuck right beside it.
Key words
- relative clause
- A subordinate clause that tells you more about a noun.
- relative pronoun
- who (people), which (things and animals), that (either), whose (belonging). where and when can start one too.
- commas
- Extra information in a relative clause goes between commas.
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
The girl who lives next door has a parrot.
- "who lives next door" tells us which girl.
- It's a relative clause.
- 211+ standard
My bike, which is bright red, has a flat tyre.
- "which is bright red" is extra information.
- Take it out and the sentence still works, so it goes between commas.
- 311+ standard
The boy whose dog escaped searched everywhere.
- whose shows belonging: the dog belongs to the boy.
- 411+ standard
This is the park where we had our picnic.
- where starts a relative clause about a place.
The common mistake
The mistake
Use which for people: "the man which helped us".
Instead
Who is for people, which is for things and animals; that can be either.
Why: The man who helped us; the car which broke down.
Where it comes up in the 11+
You'll pick the right relative pronoun, spot relative clauses, and punctuate them with commas.
The video
Video coming soon
We're making a short video that explains relative clauses step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.
Free printable
Relative clauses worksheet
Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.
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Quick quiz
Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.
1. Choose: "The author ___ wrote this book lives in Wales."
- who
- which
- whose
- where
Show the answerHide the answer
who
An author is a person, so who.
2. Which words are the relative clause? "Our car, which is very old, broke down."
- Our car
- which is very old
- broke down
- very old
Show the answerHide the answer
which is very old
It starts with which and tells us more about the car.
3. Choose: "That's the girl ___ bag was stolen."
- who's
- whose
- who
- which
Show the answerHide the answer
whose
The bag belongs to the girl. Who's means who is.