Intermediate relative clauses. 45 questions on non-defining relative clauses, whom and whose, where/when/why, and omitting the relative pronoun.
What this test covers
- Non-Defining Relative Clauses & Commas
- Whom, Whose, Where, When, Why
- Omitting the Relative Pronoun
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1My brother, ___ lives in Tokyo, is visiting us next month.
Answer: B. who
This is a non-defining relative clause, which adds extra information between commas. In these clauses, we must use 'who' for people. The word 'that' is never used in non-defining clauses, and 'which' is only for things. 'Whom' is an object pronoun, but here we need a subject pronoun for the verb 'lives'.
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Q2The company ___ shares plummeted yesterday has decided to lay off staff.
Answer: A. whose
We use 'whose' to show possession. In this sentence, the shares belong to the company. 'Whose' can refer to both people and inanimate objects. The option 'who's' is a contraction of 'who is' or 'who has,' which does not fit here. 'Who' and 'which' cannot be used to show possession.
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Q3Choose the grammatically correct version of this sentence: The report, that I submitted last week, was rejected.
Answer: B. The report, which I submitted last week, was rejected.
The commas indicate a non-defining relative clause, which provides non-essential information. In these clauses, you must use 'which' for objects, not 'that'. 'That' is only used in defining clauses (without commas). The correct sentence uses both 'which' and the necessary pair of commas. The option without a first comma has an asymmetric comma, and the option with 'that' incorrectly places a comma after 'submitted'.
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Q4The applicant ___ we interviewed yesterday seems perfect for the role.
Answer: B. whom
The applicant is the object of the verb 'interviewed' (we interviewed them). In formal English, 'whom' is the correct object pronoun for people. While 'who' is common in spoken English, 'whom' is preferred in formal contexts. 'Whose' shows possession, and 'who's' means 'who is'.
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Q5This is the hotel ___ we stayed during our trip to Rome.
Answer: C. where
We use the relative adverb 'where' to refer to a place. The context 'we stayed' implies a location. If we used 'which' or 'that', we would usually need a preposition, such as 'the hotel which we stayed at'.
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Q6I remember the day ___ we first met at the university.
Answer: A. when
The noun 'day' refers to a specific time, so we use the relative adverb 'when'. While you can sometimes use 'that' or 'which' with a preposition (e.g., 'the day on which we met'), 'when' is the most natural way to introduce a relative clause describing a time.
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Q7The reason ___ she decided to resign remains a mystery to everyone.
Answer: D. why
The noun 'reason' is typically followed by the relative adverb 'why' to introduce an explanation. While 'that' is sometimes used, 'why' is the standard relative adverb for showing cause.
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Q8The book ___ I borrowed from the library is due back today.
Answer: A. that
This is a defining relative clause referring to an object ('book'). We use 'that' or 'which' in this case. Because the pronoun is the object of the clause (I borrowed the book), it could also be omitted entirely. 'Who' is only for people, and 'where' is for locations.
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Q9Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: B. The car I bought is red.
In defining relative clauses, when the relative pronoun is the object of the verb, it can be omitted. However, you must not keep the original object pronoun ('it'). 'The car I bought' is correct; 'The car I bought it' is a common error called a resumptive pronoun.
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Q10The professor to ___ you should send the email is currently on leave.
Answer: C. whom
When a relative pronoun follows a preposition (like 'to', 'with', or 'for'), we must use 'whom' for people. You cannot say 'to who' or 'to that' in formal English. This 'preposition + whom' structure is a hallmark of formal writing.
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Q11The paintings, ___ were donated by a local artist, are now on display.
Answer: B. which
The commas show that this is a non-defining relative clause providing extra information. For things ('paintings'), we must use 'which'. The pronoun 'that' is never used after a comma in relative clauses. 'Who' is reserved for people.
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Q12The man ___ car was stolen has reported the incident to the police.
Answer: A. whose
We use 'whose' to indicate possession (the car belonging to the man). Be careful not to confuse it with 'who's', which is a contraction of 'who is' or 'who has'. Since the sentence describes a relationship between the man and his car, 'whose' is required.
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Q13The park ___ we go for our morning run is closed for maintenance.
Answer: D. where
The sentence refers to a location ('the park'), so the relative adverb 'where' is the correct choice. If we used 'which' or 'that', the sentence would usually require a preposition, such as 'the park that we go to'.
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Q14Choose the grammatically correct version of this sentence: The students who essays were late received a penalty.
Answer: A. The students whose essays were late received a penalty.
We need to show possession because the essays belong to the students. 'Whose' is the possessive relative pronoun. Using 'who' is incorrect because it is a subject/object pronoun, and 'who's' is incorrect because it means 'who is' or 'who has'.
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Q15The colleague ___ I admire most is retiring next month.
Answer: C. who
In this defining relative clause, we are referring to a person. While 'whom' is technically the object pronoun (I admire him/her), 'who' is very common and acceptable in neutral or informal English. 'Which' is only for things, and 'whose' is for possession.
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Q16Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: D. The movie we saw was long.
In this sentence, the relative pronoun is the object (we saw the movie). We can omit the pronoun entirely in defining relative clauses. You must avoid adding a redundant object like 'it' (as in 'which we saw it'). 'Where' is incorrect because a movie is an object, not a location.
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Q17The house, ___ was built in the 1920s, requires extensive repairs.
Answer: A. which
This is a non-defining relative clause (marked by commas). In these clauses, we use 'which' for things. Even though 'that' can be used for things in defining clauses (without commas), it is strictly forbidden in non-defining clauses.
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Q18She is the only person ___ I trust with my secret.
Answer: D. whom
In formal English, 'whom' is used as the object pronoun for people (I trust her). After specific phrases like 'the only person,' 'whom' or 'that' are typical. 'Whose' would imply possession, which doesn't fit here.
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Q19Choose the grammatically correct version of this sentence: My laptop, which I bought last year, it has crashed.
Answer: A. My laptop, which I bought last year, has crashed.
When using a relative clause, 'My laptop' is the subject of the main verb 'has crashed'. Adding the pronoun 'it' creates a 'double subject' error. The relative clause simply provides extra info about the laptop, so the sentence should flow directly to the verb.
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Q20The stadium ___ the final match will take place is in the city center.
Answer: B. where
Because the stadium is the location where the action happens, the relative adverb 'where' is used. If you used 'that' or 'which', the sentence would need a preposition (e.g., 'the stadium that the match will take place in').
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Q21The time ___ the train arrives is 5:00 PM.
Answer: A. when
The noun 'time' refers to a point in time, making 'when' the correct relative adverb to connect the noun to the action (the train arriving).
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Q22The man ___ is standing by the door is my boss.
Answer: C. who
We need a subject relative pronoun to refer to 'the man'. For people, we use 'who'. 'Whom' is an object pronoun, 'which' is for things, and 'whose' is used for possession.
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Q23Choose the correct defining relative clause sentence:
Answer: A. The woman who works here is my aunt.
A defining relative clause identifies exactly which person we are talking about and does not use commas. 'Who' or 'that' are both correct for people in these clauses. Options with commas are non-defining clauses, which are used for extra, non-essential information.
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Q24The cake ___ I baked this morning tastes delicious.
Answer: A. which
For inanimate objects like 'cake,' we use 'which' or 'that' as the relative pronoun. 'Who' is for people, 'where' is for places, and 'why' is for reasons.
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Q25Choose the grammatically correct version of this sentence: The book, that won the prize, is on the table.
Answer: C. The book, which won the prize, is on the table.
The commas indicate a non-defining relative clause. In English, the pronoun 'that' cannot be used in non-defining clauses; you must use 'which' for things. Additionally, non-defining clauses must be enclosed by two commas if they appear in the middle of a sentence.
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Q26The architect, ___ designs are world-famous, spoke at the conference.
Answer: A. whose
We use 'whose' to show possession (the designs of the architect). Do not confuse it with 'who's', which is a contraction for 'who is'. 'Whose' is the only relative pronoun that functions as a possessive.
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Q27Which sentence is the most formal and grammatically correct?
Answer: C. The committee, whom we contacted, agreed.
In formal English, 'whom' is the correct object pronoun for people in a non-defining relative clause (separated by commas). While 'who' is common in daily speech, 'whom' is preferred in formal writing when the person is the object of the verb ('we contacted them').
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Q28The era ___ technology changed everything was the 1990s.
Answer: C. when
An 'era' is a period of time, so the relative adverb 'when' is used to describe it.
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Q29The necklace ___ my grandmother gave me is very valuable.
Answer: C. that
This is a defining relative clause referring to an object ('necklace'). In this context, 'that' or 'which' are both correct. 'Who' is used for people and 'where' for places.
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Q30Choose the grammatically correct version of this sentence: The city where we live it is very crowded.
Answer: C. The city where we live is very crowded.
The pronoun 'it' is redundant here. 'The city' is already the subject of the verb 'is'. The relative clause 'where we live' describes the city, but you should not repeat the subject with 'it' after the clause ends.
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Q31The CEO, ___ I respect greatly, announced a new strategy today.
Answer: D. who
In a non-defining relative clause (set off by commas) referring to a person, 'who' is the standard relative pronoun. Although 'whom' is technically more formal for an object (I respect him), 'who' is widely accepted in modern English.
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Q32The hotel, ___ is located near the beach, is fully booked.
Answer: C. which
This is a non-defining relative clause providing extra information. For objects or places being described as a subject, we use 'which'. 'That' is never used after a comma, and 'where' would only be used if we were describing an action happening at that location.
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Q33The girl ___ phone was ringing apologized to the class.
Answer: D. whose
We use 'whose' to show possession (the phone belonging to the girl). 'Who's' is a contraction for 'who is' or 'who has', which is incorrect in this context.
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Q34The reason ___ he is late is traffic.
Answer: B. why
The relative adverb 'why' naturally follows the noun 'reason' to introduce a clause that explains the cause of something.
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Q35Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. The project, which we finished, was hard.
Non-defining clauses (adding extra info) require 'which' and must be surrounded by two commas. 'The project, which we finished, was hard' follows this rule. 'That' can never be used in a non-defining clause (with commas).
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Q36The island ___ we spent our holidays is beautiful.
Answer: D. where
'Island' is a location, so the relative adverb 'where' is the most appropriate choice. It functions as a shortcut for 'on which'.
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Q37The scientist ___ discovered the cure won a Nobel Prize.
Answer: A. who
We need a subject pronoun for the person who performed the action ('discovered'). 'Who' is the correct subject pronoun for people. 'Whom' is an object pronoun, and 'which' is for things.
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Q38Choose the grammatically correct version of this sentence: The man, that I spoke to, is the manager.
Answer: A. The man, whom I spoke to, is the manager.
In a non-defining relative clause (with commas), you cannot use 'that'. For a person who is the object of a preposition ('to'), 'whom' is the grammatically correct formal choice.
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Q39The house ___ roof was damaged in the storm has been repaired.
Answer: A. whose
'Whose' is the possessive relative pronoun. It is used for both people and inanimate objects (like 'house') to show that one thing belongs to another.
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Q40The day ___ we graduate will be a day to remember.
Answer: C. when
Use 'when' as a relative adverb to refer to a specific time or date, such as 'the day'.
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Q41The documents ___ I filed are on your desk.
Answer: C. which
For objects like 'documents,' we use 'which' or 'that'. Since the documents are the object of the verb 'filed,' we could also omit the pronoun entirely, but 'which' is the only correct relative pronoun provided.
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Q42Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. My car, which is blue, is fast.
'My car' is a specific item, so the clause 'which is blue' is extra information (non-defining). Non-defining clauses require commas on both sides and must use 'which' instead of 'that'.
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Q43The person ___ I called was not available.
Answer: C. whom
Because the person is the object of the verb 'called' (I called him/her), 'whom' is the formal object pronoun. 'Who' is also common in speech, but 'whom' is the traditionally correct choice in this list.
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Q44The town ___ I grew up is very small.
Answer: A. where
Use 'where' as a relative adverb to refer to the place 'town'. In this sentence, it functions as a replacement for the phrase 'in which'.
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Q45The book ___ I read was excellent.
Answer: A. that
In a defining relative clause referring to an object ('book'), we use 'that' or 'which'. 'Who', 'whose', and 'where' do not fit the grammatical role or the category of the noun.
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