what is it?
Relative clauses add information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause. They are introduced by relative pronouns (que, quien/quienes, donde, lo que) that refer back to an antecedent. Restrictive relative clauses define or limit the noun they modify and are essential to the meaning of the sentence. Non-restrictive relative clauses add extra information and are set off by commas.
when to use it
To specify which person or thing you mean. Use a restrictive relative clause to identify or distinguish the noun from others: El chico que vive aquí es mi hermano (which boy? the one who lives here).
To add extra information about a noun. Use a non-restrictive relative clause when the noun is already clearly identified: Mi hermano, que vive en Madrid, es médico.
To refer to places. Use donde when the antecedent is a location: La ciudad donde nací es pequeña.
To refer to an abstract idea or entire clause. Use lo que when there is no specific noun antecedent: No entiendo lo que dices.
formation
Relative clauses follow the noun or pronoun they modify. The choice of relative pronoun depends on the antecedent and the function within the relative clause.
| Relative pronoun | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| que | People or things (most common) | El libro que compré |
| quien/quienes | People only (after prepositions or in non-restrictive clauses) | La persona con quien hablé |
| donde | Places | El lugar donde trabajo |
| lo que | Abstract ideas or clauses | Lo que dijiste es cierto |
When a preposition is required by the verb in the relative clause, it comes before the relative pronoun: La casa en la que vivo, El amigo con quien salí.
Restrictive vs. non-restrictive: Restrictive clauses have no commas and are essential to meaning. Non-restrictive clauses are set off by commas and add supplementary information. In non-restrictive clauses referring to people, quien/quienes is often preferred over que.
examples in context
common pitfalls
Using "cual" without an article in restrictive relative clauses. In restrictive clauses, use que, not cual. When cual appears, it must be preceded by the definite article (el cual, la cual, etc.) and is typically used in more formal contexts or after prepositions: La casa en la cual vivo (formal), not La casa en cual vivo.
Choosing "quien" for inanimate antecedents. Quien/quienes can only refer to people. For things or animals, use que or el/la cual. Say El coche que compré, not El coche quien compré.
Three sentences, graded here. Nothing is saved and no account is needed.
Necesito un aparato ___ funcione bien en casa.
Fill in the blank with the correct relative pronoun.