Mệnh đề quan hệ là một cấu trúc khá quan trọng trong câu, thường xuất hiện trong ngữ pháp tiếng Anh nói chung, và kỳ thi IELTS nói riêng. Tuy nhiên, mệnh đề quan hệ là gì? Sử dụng mệnh đề quan hệ như thế nào? Cùng IDP tìm hiểu tất tần tật lý thuyết về mệnh đề quan hệ để bạn có thể áp dụng vào những mẫu câu đơn giản, giúp bài viết của bạn trở nên hay hơn nhé.
1. What Is a Relative Clause?
A relative clause is a subordinate clause introduced by a relative pronoun or adverb, used to describe a noun mentioned earlier. They provide essential or additional information.
Defining Clause (no commas) Miracles are for those who believe in them. This clause is necessary for identifying “those”.
Non‑defining Clause (with commas) Taylor Swift, who is famous worldwide, is a singer. This adds extra information but isn’t essential.
2. Types of Relative Pronouns & Adverbs
Relative Pronoun | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
who | people, subject/object | The person who called is my friend. |
whom | people, object, formal | The woman whom I met is from Greece. |
which | things, subject/object | The book which I read was great. |
that | people or things, subject/object, defining only | The movie that I saw was thrilling. |
whose | possession (people or things) | The man whose car broke down asked me for help. |
when | time | Friday is the day when I get paid. |
where | place | The hotel where we stayed was cozy. |
why | reason | This is the reason why I came.
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3. How to Reduce Relative Clauses
Simplify sentences by omitting parts of the clause:
Remove object pronouns The movie (that) I watched was exciting.
Use V‑ing for active verbs The cat chasing mice is fast.
Use past participle for passive verbs All pets taken to the vet are registered.
Use “to + infinitive” after superlatives and ordinals He was the last to leave the party.
Omit when clause contains be + noun phrase We visited Phu Quoc, the most‑visited place in Vietnam.
4. Exercises – Apply What You’ve Learned
A. Combine using a relative clause:
The house was built in the forest. It doesn’t have electricity.
Do you know the man? He is coming towards us.
I sent postcards to my parents. They were inexpensive.
I come from a city. It is by the sea.
The soup I had for lunch was delicious.
B. Identify and correct errors:
The film who my brother watched… (who → which)
I like that shirt whom is really beautiful. (whom → which)
The only house to be paint last week… (paint → painted)
Do you get on with the person which lives behind? (which → who)
A dictionary is a book whom gives… (whom → which)
C. Reduce these clauses:
Do you know the man who is walking towards us?
My boyfriend comes from a city that is in the southeast.
The fence which surrounds my house…
Be sure to follow the instructions that are given at the top.
Our family lives in a house that was built in 1990.
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