Relative Clauses
Form and use relative clauses beginning with relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, which, that) and relative adverbs (where, when, why) to add detail, qualify nouns, and create complex sentences
Suggested ages 9–10
Learning journey
Your child is mastering advanced grammar and punctuation — using complex sentence structures with relative clauses, understanding how to change word meanings with prefixes and suffixes, and creating cohesive, well-connected writing.
Evidence of understanding
- Combine a main clause with a relative clause using 'who' or 'which' to add information about a noun, e.g. 'The dog, which had a red collar, barked loudly'
- Choose the correct relative pronoun (who for people, which for things, where for places, when for times) and identify the noun it refers back to
- Recognise that a relative clause beginning with 'that' can often replace 'who' or 'which' in defining clauses, e.g. 'The book that I read' vs 'The book which I read'
Assessment prompt
When Relative Clauses writes to add detail about a noun — like describing a friend "who loves football" or a place "where we always go on holiday" — do they build that into the same sentence using a relative clause?
Standards alignment
L.4.1a
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 4
Relative clauses
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2
Use relative clauses
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2