Reduced relative clauses
B2 Upper IntermediateReduced relative clauses shorten a sentence by removing the relative pronoun and the verb 'to be'. They use present or past participles to modify nouns more concisely.
Overview
A reduced relative clause is a shorter version of a defining relative clause. It functions like an adjective to provide essential information about a noun. Reduction is possible only when the relative pronoun (who, which, that) is the subject of the relative clause.
Form
Noun + [Present/Past Participle] + Phrase
To reduce a clause, remove the relative pronoun and the auxiliary verb 'be'. If the original verb was in an active tense, use the present participle (-ing). If the original verb was in a passive tense, use the past participle (-ed).
Active vs. Passive Reduction
Note that for active verbs not using a continuous tense (like 'live'), we still use the -ing form in the reduced version.
| Full Clause | Reduced Clause | Voice |
|---|---|---|
| The man who is standing there... | The man standing there... | Active (-ing) |
| The books that were written by him... | The books written by him... | Passive (-ed) |
| People who live in cities... | People living in cities... | Active (-ing) |
Examples
Common mistakes
The girl who sitting next to me is my sister.
The girl sitting next to me is my sister.
If you use a participle, you must remove the relative pronoun 'who'.
The car repaired by the mechanic it is working now.
The car repaired by the mechanic is working now.
Do not add an extra subject pronoun like 'it' after the reduced clause.
Practice
Reduce this sentence: 'The students who are studying in the library need to be quiet.'
Show answer
The students studying in the library need to be quiet.
Answer:The students studying in the library need to be quiet.
Why:The relative pronoun 'who' and the verb 'are' are removed, leaving the present participle 'studying'.
Reduce this sentence: 'The house that was built last year is already for sale.'
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The house built last year is already for sale.
Answer:The house built last year is already for sale.
Why:In passive constructions, remove 'that was' and keep the past participle 'built'.
Is it possible to reduce: 'The book that I bought yesterday is great'?
Show answer
No.
Answer:No.
Why:Reduction using participles is only possible when the relative pronoun is the subject of the clause. Here, 'I' is the subject and 'that' is the object.