B2 Upper-intermediate Advanced relative clauses
Reduced relative clauses
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can reduce relative clauses to V-ing or V3, making your sentences tighter and more natural.
When to use it
- Tightening sentences in writing: The man standing there…
- Avoiding repeated who is, which was in one paragraph.
- Very common in academic reading and journalism.
Form
| Full clause | Reduced | Type |
|---|---|---|
| the man who is standing there | the man standing there | active → V-ing |
| the book which was written in 1990 | the book written in 1990 | passive → V3 |
| the students who are waiting | the students waiting | active |
| the letter which was sent yesterday | the letter sent yesterday | passive |
Step by step
- Check: is the relative pronoun the subject of its clause? If not, you cannot reduce it.
- Delete the relative pronoun (who, which, that) and the verb to be.
- Ask: does the noun do the action or receive it?
- Does it → V-ing. Receives it → V3.
When you can and cannot reduce
| Sentence | Role | Reducible? |
|---|---|---|
| The man who is waiting… | subject | Yes → the man waiting |
| The book which I read… | object | Cannot be reduced to V-ing |
| The car which was stolen… | subject | Yes → the car stolen |
Examples
The man standing at the door is my boss.
The book written in 1990 is still popular.
The students waiting outside are from my class.
The money stolen from the bank has not been found.
The road leading to the beach is very narrow.
Most of the people invited to the party were students.
Common mistakes
The house building in 1990 is old. → The house built in 1990 is old.
The house was built; it did not build → passive → use the V3. This is the commonest error here.
The students choosing for the team are happy. → The students chosen for the team are happy.
They were chosen → passive → chosen.
The book reading by me is interesting. → The book read by me is interesting.
The book is read → V3.
Memory tip
Just ask: is this noun doing or being done to? Doing → V-ing. Done to → V3. That one question settles nearly everything here.
Summary
- Delete the relative pronoun and to be.
- Active → V-ing; passive → V3.
- Only possible when the pronoun is the subject.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.