Contact clauses – no relative pronouns
When can relative pronouns be left out?
We leave out the relative pronoun (who/which/that) if it is not the subject in the sentence.
► If there is a verb after the relative pronoun who/which/that, do not leave out the relative pronoun.
Examples with the relative pronoun who
1st part of the sentence | 2nd part of the sentence | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
This | is | the girl | who | was | at the party last night. |
Subject | Verb | Rest | Subject | Verb | Rest |
who is the subject in the sentence, do not leave it out.
1st part of the sentence | Pronoun | 2nd part of the sentence | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This | is | the girl | who | I | will | marry. |
This | is | the girl | can be left out | I | will | marry. |
Subject | Verb | Rest | Subject | Verb | Rest |
who is not the subject in the sentence, so it can be left out.
Examples with the relative pronoun which/that
1st part of the sentence | 2nd part of the sentence | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
This | is | the house | which | was | sold. |
Subject | Verb | Rest | Subject | Verb | Rest |
which is the subject in the sentence, do not leave it out.
1st part of the sentence | Pronoun | 2nd part of the sentence | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This | is | the house | which | I | bought | last week. | |
This | is | the house | can be left out | I | bought | last week. | |
Subject | Verb | Rest | Subject | Verb | Rest |
which is not the subject in the sentence, it can be left out.