TOEIC Part 5: Mastering Relative Clauses for Accuracy and Clarity

If you’ve ever paused in the middle of a TOEIC sentence thinking, “Who’s doing what to whom?”, you’ve likely run into a relative clause.
These clauses pack extra information into a sentence without starting a new one — and TOEIC loves them.

🔹 What Is a Relative Clause?

A relative clause gives more information about a noun, usually starting with who, which, that, whose, or whom.
It attaches directly to the noun it describes.

Examples:

  • The manager who approved the proposal is on vacation.

  • We need a printer that can handle high-volume output.

🔹 Defining vs Non-Defining Clauses

  • Defining (restrictive) → Essential to identify the noun. No commas.
    The employee who speaks French will attend the meeting.
    I bought a phone that has excellent battery life.

  • Non-defining (non-restrictive) → Extra, non-essential detail. Commas required.
    Mr. Takeda, who has worked here for 20 years, is retiring next month.
    The building, which was constructed in 1985, is still in use today.

TOEIC tip: Defining clauses appear more often — focus on mastering these first.

🔹 Subject or Object Role?

Relative pronouns can be the subject of the clause:

  • The woman who leads the project is away today. ✅ (who = subject)

Or the object of the clause:

  • The report that we submitted was approved. ✅ (that = object, “we” = subject)

If there’s already a subject in the clause, the relative pronoun is likely the object.

🔹 When You Can Omit “That” or “Who”

If the relative pronoun is the object and a subject is already present, you can often drop it:

  • The equipment (that) we ordered has arrived.

  • The candidate (who) we interviewed was impressive.

TOEIC uses this omission in shorter, more concise answer choices.

🔹 Choosing the Right Relative Pronoun

  • who / whom → people

  • which / that → things

  • whose → possession

  • that → both people and things in defining clauses

Examples:

  • The employee who received the award…

  • The project that was delayed…

  • The client whose contract was renewed…

🔹 Why Relative Clauses Matter in TOEIC

They appear in:

  • Part 5 sentence completion

  • Part 6 text completion

  • Reading comprehension

  • Modifier and paraphrase questions

Even when not directly underlined, the clause can determine subject–verb agreement or clause placement — the key to the right answer.

Final Word

Relative clauses are small but high-value grammar points in TOEIC.
Train yourself to ask:

  • Is this describing a noun?

  • What’s the role of the pronoun?

  • Can it be omitted?

For more strategies and resources to master TOEIC grammar accuracy, visit the English Library Collection and start locking in relative clause confidence today.

🧾 Hidden FAQ – Relative Clauses (EN) What is a relative clause in simple terms? A relative clause adds information about a noun using words like who, which, or that. It makes sentences more precise. What's the difference between who and that? Use "who" for people and "that" for things. For example, “the employee who helped” and “the report that we submitted.” Can I use 'that' for people in TOEIC? Yes, TOEIC accepts “that” for people in defining relative clauses: The manager that hired me is retiring. When do I use commas with relative clauses? Only use commas in non-defining clauses. If the clause gives extra (non-essential) information, add commas. Can I drop the word “that” in a sentence? Yes, if “that” is the object of the clause. Example: The printer (that) we ordered is broken. What is the difference between who and whom? “Who” is the subject, and “whom” is the object. TOEIC prefers “who” unless testing formal grammar. Is 'whose' only for people? No, "whose" shows possession and can be used for things too: a company whose profits increased. What’s a defining relative clause? A clause that identifies which person or thing you mean. It’s necessary for understanding the sentence. What’s a non-defining relative clause? A clause that adds extra information and is not essential. It's set off by commas. Can I use 'which' for people? No. Use "who" or "whom" for people. “Which” is only for things or ideas. Do I always need to include the relative pronoun? No. If it’s the object of the clause, you can usually omit it. TOEIC tests this often. Why is the clause placed directly after the noun? Because it modifies that noun. Misplacing the clause causes confusion and can make the sentence grammatically incorrect. How do I know if it’s the subject or object? Check if there’s already a subject and verb in the clause. If yes, the pronoun is the object. Is it okay to use 'that' in non-defining clauses? No. “That” cannot be used in non-defining (comma-separated) relative clauses. What happens if I remove a necessary relative clause? The meaning becomes unclear. You may not know which person or thing is being talked about. How does TOEIC test relative clauses? TOEIC tests grammar structure, word omission, subject-verb agreement, and meaning clarity — especially in Part 5. What’s the trickiest part of relative clauses? Knowing when to use (or drop) the pronoun, and identifying subject vs. object roles under time pressure. Can I start a sentence with a relative clause? Not normally. Relative clauses follow the noun they describe. What if the noun has adjectives too? Place the relative clause after the entire noun phrase. Example: The highly skilled engineer who fixed the system. Are relative clauses common in business English? Yes — especially in emails, reports, and TOEIC-style announcements or instructions.
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