Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #295 of 305

Omitting the Relative Pronoun

You can drop who/which/that when it is the object.

Examples

  • The book (that) I read was great.

Key rules

  • You can drop who, which, that when it is the object of the clause (The book I read)
  • You cannot drop it when it is the subject (The man who called)
  • Do not drop it in non-defining clauses
  • The omitted word is still understood

Common mistakes

  • The man called is my boss → The man who called is my boss
  • The book that I read it → The book I read
💡 Tip: Keep the pronoun if no subject follows it.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Intermediate quiz
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Related Intermediate topics

See all Intermediate grammar lessons →

Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.