Home Grammar Relative Clauses ExercisesReduced Relative Clauses Exercises

Reduced Relative Clauses Exercises

B2-C1 Level

English Exercises is teacher-led by Charlie. About the teacher · How content is made

Question 1 of 200 correct so far

Question 1

Rewrite each sentence by reducing the relative clause. Remove the relative pronoun and change the verb to a participle (-ing or -ed) or keep the adjective. Start with the word(s) given.

The man who is sitting in the corner is my uncle.

The man

Grammar review

This exercise reduces relative clauses where who, which or that is the subject. For an active meaning, use the -ing form. For a passive meaning, use the past participle. If the clause is be + adjective, keep the adjective.

The quick check I use is: does the noun do the action or receive it? A noun doing the action takes -ing; a noun receiving it takes the past participle. Do not use this shortcut when the relative pronoun is the object: "the book which I read" follows a different pattern.

Quick Rule

active → -ing | passive → past participle | be + adjective → adjective

1.The woman sitting by the window is my colleague. (active)
2.I received a letter written in French. (passive)
3.Students interested in the course should apply. (adjective)

💡 Tips for Success

•Active verbs → present participle (-ing): 'who is waiting' → 'waiting'
•Passive verbs → past participle (-ed): 'which was written' → 'written'
•Be + adjective → adjective only: 'who is interested' → 'interested'
•Only defining relative clauses can be reduced (no commas)

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I reduce a relative clause?

Reduce it when the relative pronoun is the subject. Use "waiting" for "who is waiting" and "built" for "which was built". Do not apply the same shortcut when the pronoun is the object, as in "the book which I read".