Exercise - Relative Clauses with Prepositions
Level A2
Join the sentences in the exercise. Note that all verbs have prepositions with them.
In the first part of the exercise, put the preposition before the relative pronoun.
Example:
We visited the house in which they lived.
In the second part of the exercise, fill in a relative pronoun and keep the preposition with the verb .
Example:
We visited the house that they lived in.
Grammar rules
If a relative clause contains a verb followed by a preposition (listen to, look for, talk to …), there are two ways to form the relative clause.
• Often (especially in informal English), the preposition comes after the verb:
Who is the woman who/that they are talking to?
I like the music which/that you are listening to.
If the preposition remains with the verb, we often form a contact clause, i.e., the relative pronoun is left out.
Who is the woman they are talking to?
I like the music you are listening to.
• It is also possible to place the preposition before the relative pronoun. This option is very formal and can be used in formal speech.
Who is the woman to whom they are talking?
I like the music to which you are listening.
If the preposition comes before the relative pronoun, you must use the relative pronouns whom (for people) or which (for things) – not who or that. The relative pronoun can never be left out.
You may also be interested in these exercises:
- Relative pronouns: correct the mistakes
- Present perfect (3)
- Relatives: who, which or where
- Simple past or past progressive 4