Relative Clauses
The Spark
Concept
A relative clause adds information about a noun using a relative pronoun — who (for people), which (for things), that (for people or things). A defining relative clause identifies which person or thing we mean. A non-defining relative clause adds extra information and is separated by commas.
Activity
Point to an object in the room and ask your child to describe it using who, which or that — for example, That is the chair which we bought last year. Practise with a few examples before starting the worksheet.
Check
After the worksheet, ask your child to write three sentences — one with who, one with which, one with that — about people or objects in their home.
Choose Who, Which or That (Set A)
Circle the correct relative pronoun to complete each sentence.
The scientist ___ discovered penicillin was Alexander Fleming.
The book ___ I borrowed from the library was fascinating.
The children ___ finished early were allowed to read.
The bridge ___ was built in 1932 is still standing.
Is this the dog ___ won the competition?
Match the Relative Pronoun to Its Use
Draw a line to match each relative pronoun with its correct use.
Sort: Defining or Non-defining? (Set A)
Sort each sentence into the correct column. Defining relative clauses tell us which specific person or thing — no commas needed. Non-defining relative clauses add extra information — commas required.
Combine the Sentences (Set A)
Combine each pair of sentences into one using a relative clause with who, which or that.
1. The woman won the race. She had been training for a year. Answer:
2. The laptop belongs to my dad. It has a cracked screen. Answer:
3. The building was demolished last year. It used to be a cinema. Answer:
4. My neighbour keeps chickens. She gives us eggs every week. Answer:
Does This Sentence Need Commas?
Circle Yes (needs commas — non-defining) or No (no commas — defining) for each sentence.
The dog that bit the postman was taken to a vet.
My sister who lives in Adelaide is a doctor.
The house that we lived in has been sold.
Sydney which is Australia's largest city is on the east coast.
Students who complete the extension task will earn a bonus point.
Expand and Improve (Set A)
Rewrite each simple sentence by adding a relative clause to make it more precise and interesting. Choose the correct relative pronoun and decide whether commas are needed.
1. The explorer made an important discovery. Expanded:
2. The library has a new reading room. Expanded:
3. My teacher gave us extra homework. Expanded:
4. The documentary was very interesting. Expanded:
Match: Which Relative Pronoun Is Used?
Read each sentence. Draw a line to the relative pronoun used in it.
Relative Pronoun or Something Else?
In each sentence, decide whether the underlined word is used as a relative pronoun or in a different way.
The book THAT she read was excellent.
WHAT he said surprised everyone.
The scientist WHO won the prize was very humble.
WHICH way did they go?
The letter WHICH arrived this morning was from overseas.
Write Your Own Relative Clauses (Set A)
Write six sentences about people or places you know. Each sentence must contain a relative clause using who, which or that. Label each clause — D for defining or ND for non-defining.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Build a Sentence with a Relative Clause
Rearrange each set of words and phrases into a grammatically correct sentence containing a relative clause.
Sort: Who, Which, That, Whose or Where?
Sort each sentence into the column that shows which relative pronoun would complete it.
Relative Clauses in Descriptive Writing
Write a descriptive paragraph (6 to 8 sentences) about a place you know well — your home, your local park, your favourite room. Include at least three relative clauses. Label each one in the margin.
My place:
My paragraph:
Combine Four Sentences Using Relative Clauses
Combine these four short sentences into one or two longer, fluent sentences using relative clauses. You may use any relative pronoun.
The ancient library was built in 1890. It stood on the corner of King Street. Many famous writers studied there. It was demolished last year. Combined:
Our science teacher is Mrs Hadley. She studied at Melbourne University. She wrote a book about native birds. The book was awarded a prize. Combined:
Sort: Relative Clause Position
A relative clause can appear in different positions in a sentence. Sort each sentence by where the relative clause appears.
Relative Clauses and Sentence Variety
Rewrite this passage to add at least four relative clauses. The passage should become more detailed and precise. Label each relative clause you add.
ORIGINAL PASSAGE: The bakery is on Main Street. It is run by a woman. She bakes bread early every morning. The bread sells out by nine o'clock. The bakery has a cat. It sleeps in the window. Rewritten passage with relative clauses:
Choose Who, Which or That (Set B)
Circle the correct relative pronoun.
Australia is a country ___ has a unique range of wildlife.
The surgeon ___ operated on her was highly experienced.
They stayed in a hotel ___ had a rooftop pool.
She is the type of person ___ always makes time for others.
Is this the road ___ leads to the lighthouse?
The reason ___ she was late is still unclear.
Relative Clauses in Information Writing
Write a short informational paragraph (6 to 8 sentences) about an animal, a historical figure or a natural landmark. Include at least three relative clauses. Your relative clauses must add genuinely useful information.
My topic:
My paragraph:
Sort: Correct or Incorrect Use of Relative Pronoun?
Sort each sentence into the correct column.
Correct the Relative Clause Errors
Each sentence below has an error in its relative clause. Identify the error and rewrite the correct sentence.
1. The house which my grandparents live is on a hill. Error: _______________ Corrected:
2. The student which won the prize was very surprised. Error: _______________ Corrected:
3. She is a person who's ideas are always interesting. Error: _______________ Corrected:
4. The film, that we saw last week, was brilliant. Error: _______________ Corrected:
Relative Clauses in a Persuasive Argument
Write a persuasive paragraph (6 to 8 sentences) arguing for or against a cause you care about. Include at least three relative clauses to add precision and detail to your argument.
My argument (for or against what?):
My persuasive paragraph:
Relative clauses I used (underline in your paragraph and list here):
Spot and Collect: Relative Clauses in Published Texts
Find five relative clauses in newspapers, non-fiction books or novels. Copy each sentence, underline the relative clause, and identify whether it is defining or non-defining.
1. Source and sentence (with clause underlined), defining or non-defining:
2.
3.
4.
5.
Punctuate the Relative Clause Correctly
Read each sentence. Circle the correctly punctuated version.
Choose the correctly punctuated version:
Choose the correctly punctuated version:
Choose the correctly punctuated version:
Choose the correctly punctuated version:
Transform: Relative Clause to Participial Phrase
Rewrite each sentence by replacing the relative clause with a participial phrase. Discuss with your parent whether the new version sounds better, worse or just different.
1. The dog that was barking at the gate finally quietened down. Participial phrase version:
2. The student who had passed the exam was congratulated. Participial phrase version:
3. The house that was built in the 1920s is now a heritage site. Participial phrase version:
4. The team that was training for the championships worked incredibly hard. Participial phrase version:
Sort: Relative Clause or Participial Phrase?
Sort each sentence modifier into the correct column.
Misplaced Relative Clause: Find the Error
Each sentence has a misplaced relative clause. Circle the version that corrects it.
ERROR: I found a coin in the park that was very old.
ERROR: She bought a vase from the antique shop which was cracked.
ERROR: He gave the medal to his father, who had worked so hard, at the ceremony.
Fix the Misplaced Relative Clauses
Rewrite each sentence to fix the misplaced relative clause so the meaning is clear.
1. She gave a cake to her teacher that was covered in chocolate. Fixed:
2. I saw a dog in the street which had only three legs. Fixed:
3. He lent his umbrella to a stranger that he never saw again. Fixed:
4. We watched a film about a scientist which lasted three hours. Fixed:
Write a Character Description Using Relative Clauses
Write a character description of a person you invent or know. The description should be 8 to 10 sentences long and include at least four relative clauses — at least two defining and at least two non-defining. Label each one in the margin.
My character:
Sort: Relative Clause or Subordinate Clause?
Sort each underlined clause into the correct column.
Relative Clauses and Sentence Rhythm
Read these two versions of the same paragraph. Then answer the analysis questions.
VERSION A (no relative clauses): The museum was built in 1895. It stands on Flinders Street. It houses over 10,000 artefacts. These artefacts document the history of Victoria. The curator is a woman. She has worked there for thirty years. VERSION B (with relative clauses): The museum, which was built in 1895, stands on Flinders Street and houses over 10,000 artefacts that document the history of Victoria. The curator, who has worked there for thirty years, oversees the entire collection. 1. Which version is easier to read and why?
2. How many relative clauses are in Version B? List them.
3. Are the relative clauses in Version B defining or non-defining? Explain.
Choose the Best Relative Clause for the Context
Read each sentence. Circle the relative clause that best completes it in terms of precision, relevance and style.
The award was given to the student ___.
The new park, ___, has become a popular community gathering space.
She consulted a specialist ___ before making a final decision.
Relative Clauses in an Analytical Essay Paragraph
Write a formal analytical paragraph (6 to 8 sentences) about a topic you have studied. Use at least three relative clauses to add precision and detail. Aim for the kind of sentence complexity expected at secondary school level.
My topic:
My analytical paragraph:
Relative clauses I used (list them):
Write Using All Five Relative Pronouns
Write a paragraph of 8 to 10 sentences on any topic. In your paragraph, use all five relative pronouns at least once: who, which, that, whose, where. Underline each relative pronoun.
My topic:
My paragraph:
Which pronoun was hardest to use naturally? Why?
Sort: Sentence Complexity Level
Sort each sentence from least to most complex based on its use of relative clauses and other embedded information.
Formal vs Informal: Which Relative Clause Form?
Circle the more formal version of each relative clause.
Which is more formal?
Which is more formal?
Which is more formal?
Which is more formal for academic writing?
Rewrite the Passage at Two Complexity Levels
Rewrite the passage below twice: once as a simple text (short sentences, no relative clauses) for a Year 2 reader, and once as a complex text (with relative clauses and embedded information) for a secondary school reader.
ORIGINAL PASSAGE: Migrating birds travel long distances. Some travel thousands of kilometres. They use the stars to navigate. They also use the Earth's magnetic field. Some species have been doing this for millions of years. Simple version (Year 2):
Complex version (secondary level):
Peer Review: Assess a Paragraph for Relative Clause Use
Read the paragraph below. Write a peer review commenting on: how well relative clauses are used, whether they are correctly punctuated, whether they add value, and any improvements you would suggest.
STUDENT PARAGRAPH: Australia, who has a population of about 26 million, is a large country. The country, that has many unique animals, is known for kangaroos and koalas. The Great Barrier Reef which is a coral reef is in Queensland. Scientists that study the reef say it is under threat from climate change, which is a big problem. Your peer review:
Relative Clause Hunt and Build
Try these activities to practise relative clauses in everyday life.
- 1Describe five objects in your house using a sentence that contains a defining relative clause for each. For example: 'The mug that has the blue handle belongs to Dad.'
- 2Read a newspaper article and highlight every relative clause you can find. Classify each as defining or non-defining. Count which type is more common.
- 3In conversation with a family member, try to use at least five relative clauses naturally. Ask your family member to count how many you used. Discuss whether they sounded natural or awkward.
Write a Profile Using Relative Clauses
Write a 12 to 15 sentence profile of a real or invented person — a scientist, artist, athlete or historical figure. Use at least six relative clauses of different types (defining, non-defining, with whose, where, and one reduced relative clause). Label each one in the margin.
Profile subject:
My profile:
Relative clauses used (list them):
Sort: Effect of Relative Clause Placement
Each sentence has the relative clause in a different position. Sort them from the version that flows most naturally to least naturally.
Write with Intentional Sentence Variety
Write a descriptive passage of 10 to 14 sentences about a natural or urban environment. Deliberately vary your sentence structures: use short sentences for impact, long sentences with relative clauses for detail, and at least one sentence that begins with a relative clause mid-structure. Mark each sentence type in the margin.
My setting:
My passage:
Advanced Relative Clause Selection
Circle the most precise and grammatically correct option for each formal sentence.
The report was written by the committee ___.
The prime minister, ___, addressed the nation.
She cited the scientist ___ research changed the field.
The year ___ the discovery was made was 1953.
Comparative Analysis: Relative Clause Use in Two Texts
Find one paragraph from a novel and one from a formal essay or report on the same topic. Analyse how each uses relative clauses: frequency, type, purpose and effect. Write a comparative analysis paragraph.
Novel source and paragraph:
Essay/report source and paragraph:
Comparative analysis — how does each text use relative clauses and why?
Sort: Strong or Weak Use of Relative Clauses?
Sort each example based on whether the relative clause adds meaningful precision or is unnecessary.
Edit a Student Essay for Relative Clause Errors
This student paragraph has five errors involving relative clauses (wrong pronouns, missing or misplaced commas, dangling placement). Find all five, explain each error, and rewrite the corrected paragraph.
STUDENT PARAGRAPH: Frederick Douglass was an American leader who's autobiography became a classic. He escaped from slavery in 1838 which was a life-threatening act. The book, that he published in 1845, shocked readers with its vivid honesty. Douglass became a speaker who he inspired thousands. He met Abraham Lincoln, which was the President, twice during the Civil War. List the five errors and explain each:
Corrected paragraph:
Relative Clauses: Final Review (Set A)
Choose the best answer for each question.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Which sentence uses commas correctly?
Which sentence correctly omits the relative pronoun?
Which sentence uses 'whom' correctly?
Reflection: Relative Clauses in My Writing
Choose a piece of your own writing from the past month. Analyse it for relative clause use and then revise it.
Title of my piece:
How many relative clauses did I use? List them:
Were they correctly punctuated? What errors did I find?
Revised version of one paragraph (improved using relative clauses):
Extended Project: Relative Clauses Across Subjects
Investigate how relative clauses function in the academic writing of different subjects.
- 1Choose a topic from science, history or geography. Write three different paragraphs about it — one using no relative clauses, one using three defining relative clauses, and one using three non-defining relative clauses. Compare how each version reads and discuss with a family member which version is most appropriate for an academic report.
- 2Find an academic article or textbook chapter on a topic you have studied this year. Count the relative clauses in three consecutive paragraphs. Are more of them defining or non-defining? What does this tell you about academic writing conventions?
- 3Create a reference card titled 'Relative Clauses at a Glance' that summarises the key rules, gives examples of each type, and lists two common errors to avoid. Keep it in your writing folder.
Write a Research Summary Using Relative Clauses
Choose a topic you have researched this year. Write a 10 to 12 sentence research summary. Include at least five relative clauses of different types. Your summary should be accurate, formally written and demonstrate full control of relative clause punctuation.
Research topic:
My research summary:
Choose the Most Effective Sentence
Read each set of options. Circle the sentence that uses a relative clause most effectively for the given purpose.
Purpose: to write a formal biography opening.
Purpose: to write a scientific definition.
Purpose: to write an engaging story opening.
Create a Relative Clause Teaching Poster
Create a teaching poster that explains relative clauses to a Year 3 student. Your poster should include: a clear definition, examples of defining and non-defining clauses, the rules for when to use commas, and at least three examples from real published texts.
Rough draft of my teaching poster (plan the layout and content here):
Relative Clause Mastery Project
Complete this two-week mastery project to consolidate your relative clause skills.
- 1Week 1 — Collection: Collect 10 sentences containing relative clauses from published texts (novels, newspapers, textbooks). Classify each as defining or non-defining, identify the relative pronoun used, and rate the sentence as 'simple', 'moderate' or 'complex'. Display your collection with annotations.
- 2Week 2 — Production: Write an original piece of at least 20 sentences on any topic of your choice. Deliberately include at least eight relative clauses using a variety of pronouns and clause types. Colour-code them in the finished piece (different colours for defining vs non-defining).
- 3Reflection: Write a half-page personal reflection answering: What did I learn about relative clauses this week? What was hardest? How will I use relative clauses more intentionally in my future writing?
Reflection: Relative Clauses and My Voice as a Writer
Reflect carefully on what you have learned about relative clauses through this worksheet.
Which type of relative clause (defining or non-defining) do you find most useful in your own writing? Why?
What was the most challenging concept to master? How did you work through it?
How will you use relative clauses differently in your writing from now on?
Name one text type where relative clauses are especially important and explain why.