English practice exercise: relative clauses defining/non-defining P5-02W
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Exercise 1
In the following, each pair of sentences has been combined in two ways (which are sometimes the same except for the punctuation). One combination is correct and the other is not. Tick (ü) the alternative which you think is correct. Refer to files E3-05W, E3-06W and E5-02W if necessary.
1. There’s something about her. I don’t understand it.
a) There’s something about her, which I don’t understand.
b) There’s something about her which I don’t understand.
2. I was at school with my old friend Jackie She now runs a bookshop in Cambridge.
a) I was at school with my old friend Jackie, who now runs a bookshop in Cambridge.
b) I was at school with my old friend Jackie who now runs a bookshop in Cambridge.
3. My uncle was a Welshman by birth. He was called Merlin.
a) My uncle who was called Merlin was a Welshman by birth.
b) My uncle, who was called Merlin, was a Welshman by birth.
4. The Victorian building used to be a poor house. It stands back from the road behind the war memorial.
a) The Victorian building, which stands back from the road behind the war memorial, used to be a poor house.
b) The Victorian building, stands back from the road behind the war memorial, used to be a poor house.
5. They’re looking for a manager. They can trust him to run the company.
a) They’re looking for a manager they can trust to run the company.
b)They’re looking for a manager who they can trust him to run the company.
6. David’s grandfather swam in the sea every day until well into his eighties. David’s grandfather once swam for England.
a) David’s grandfather swam in the sea every day until well into his eighties, who once swam for England.
b) David’s grandfather, who swam in the sea every day until well into his eighties, once swam for England.
7. I’m looking for something. I can tie it round my finger as a bandage.
a) I’m looking for something I can tie round my finger as a bandage.
b) I’m looking for something which, I can tie round my finger as a bandage.
8. I’m looking for something to tie round my finger. I’ve just cut it with the kitchen knife.
I’m looking for something to tie round my finger I’ve just cut with the kitchen knife.
I’m looking for something to tie round my finger, which I’ve just cut with the kitchen knife.
9. She had a long talk with Doctor Robbins. He says that she should consider an operation.
a) She had a long talk with Doctor Robbins, who says that she should consider an operation.
b) She had a long talk with Doctor Robbins who says that she should consider an operation.
10. Last week I bought a board for playing chess. It’s made of inlaid squares of oak and maple.
a) Last week I bought a board for playing chess, which is made of inlaid squares of oak and maple.
b) Last week I bought a board, which is made of inlaid squares of oak and maple, for playing chess.
Exercise 2:
Combine each of these pairs of sentences into one. Make sure to punctuate correctly.
1. Our teacher set us a grammar exercise. I don’t understand it.
2. Our teacher set us a really difficult grammar exercise. She comes from Manchester.
3. Our previous teacher came from a town. I had never heard of it.
4. My first English teacher was from the city of Oxford. She was called Amanda.
5. My job interview was with a woman. She was really scary.
6. I was interviewed by a grey-haired woman by the name of Mrs. Masters. She was really scary.
7. Mrs Masters conducted the interview. She was a severe woman of about fifty-five with short grey hair.
8. Mrs Masters conducted the interview. It took place in a small room on the top floor.
9. She told me about a guest house. It’s reasonably priced and sounds very attractive.
10. She told me about the Sea View Guest House. It’s reasonably priced and sounds very attractive.