Reduced relative clauses

One of the main functions of a relative clause is to make two pieces of information more concise. Under certain circumstances, relative clauses themselves can be made more concise by removing the relative pronoun. These are known as reduced relative clauses.

This guide and a number of reduced relative clauses activities are available to download as PDF documents.

Only defining subject relative clauses can be reduced when the verb is in the present or past tense. If you are unsure about the difference between a subject and object relative clause, or the difference between a defining and non-defining relative clause, you’ll find an explanation here.

How to reduce relative clauses

There are a number of circumstances when relative clauses can be reduced explained below. When reducing relative clauses, always ensure that clarity and meaning are maintained, as sometimes reducing a relative clause can make it confusing or unclear.

Be + prepositional phrases

If the relative clause contains a prepositional phrase after the verb be, you can remove the relative pronoun and the verb be:

• The mug that is in the kitchen belongs to me.
  • The mug in the kitchen belongs to me.

• The book that is on the shelf is old.
  • The book on the shelf is old.

• The person who is in the room is my teacher.
  • The person in the room is my teacher.

• The cat that is under the chair is sleeping.
  • The cat under the chair is sleeping.

• The day that is before the exam is always stressful.
  • The day before the exam is always stressful.

• The reason that is behind his decision is unclear.
  • The reason behind his decision is unclear.

Passive voice

If the relative clause contains the passive voice in the present or past, you can remove the relative pronoun and the auxiliary verb be:

• The meals that are prepared by the chef are always delicious.
  • The meals prepared by the chef are always delicious.

• The report that is being reviewed by the committee will be published next week.
  • The report being reviewed by the committee will be published next week.

• The products that are sold at this store are organic.
  • The products sold at this store are organic.

• The book that was written by the famous author is a bestseller.
  • The book written by the famous author is a bestseller.

• The documents that were approved by the committee are now official.
  • The documents approved by the committee are now official.

• The painting which was stolen last week has been found.
  • The painting stolen last week has been found.

Continuous tenses

If the relative clause contains a continuous verb in the present or past, you can remove the relative pronoun and the auxiliary verb be:

• The woman who is singing on stage is famous.
  • The woman singing on stage is famous.

• The children who are playing in the park are having fun.
  • The children playing in the park are having fun.

• The man who is talking to the manager looks upset.
  • The man talking to the manager looks upset.

• The students who were studying late at night passed their exams.
  • The students studying late at night passed their exams.

• The cat that was sitting on the windowsill jumped down.
  • The cat sitting on the windowsill jumped down.

• The people who were waiting for the bus got tired of standing.
  • The people waiting for the bus got tired of standing.

General actions, states or truths

If an active verb in the relative clause describes actions or states that are continuous or ongoing in nature, or that describe general truths in the present or past, you can sometimes reduce these relative clauses by removing the relative pronoun and transforming the verb into the present participle:

• The people who live in that village speak two languages.
  • The people living in that village speak two languages.

• Employees who work at this company receive many benefits.
  • Employees working at this company receive many benefits.

• Products that contain organic ingredients are popular.
  • Products containing organic ingredients are popular.

• All cars that park here will get a fine.
  • All cars parking here will get a fine.

• The kids who played in the park yesterday caused many problems.
  • The kids playing in the park yesterday caused many problems.

• The laws that governed the country were strict.
  • The laws governing the country were strict.

However, you should always ensure that these kinds of reduced relative clauses maintain their original meaning. Sometimes, using the present participle may make the tense unclear, or it may simply sound unnatural. For example:

• The castle that stood on the hill was a landmark.
  • The castle standing on the hill was a landmark. (this makes it sound like the castle is still there)

• The student who completed the assignment quickly was praised.
  • The student completing the assignment quickly was praised. (this makes it sound like the student was praised while they completed the assignment, not after)

• The woman who owns the shop is helpful.
  • The woman owning the shop is helpful. (this doesn’t sound natural)

• The child who knew the answer raised his hand.
  • The child knowing the answer raised his hand. (this doesn’t sound natural, and the time is unclear)

Download worksheets