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TOEIC Part 5 Grammar

TOEIC Part 5: Relative Clauses Without Getting Lost

Find the noun being described, then decide whether the relative word is acting as a subject, an object, or a possessive.

Relative clauses add information about a noun. In a Part 5-style business sentence, the most useful first step is not to translate the whole sentence. Find the anchor noun and ask what job the relative word must do inside the describing clause.

Standard-English rule: Relative pronouns connect a noun to a clause that describes it. The correct choice depends on the noun, whether the clause is defining or non-defining, and whether the missing role is subject, object, or possessive.

A four-part decision

1. Find the anchor noun

The employee who speaks French will attend.

The clause describes employee.

2. Check person or thing

Who commonly refers to people. Which refers to things. That can refer to people or things in defining clauses.

3. Check the role

Is the relative word doing the action, receiving the action, or showing possession?

4. Check punctuation

Commas signal a non-defining clause. That is not used to introduce a non-defining relative clause.

Who, which, that and whose

who: people, in defining or non-defining clauses.

The manager who approved the plan is away.

which: things, in defining or non-defining clauses.

The software which was updated is running normally.

that: people or things in defining clauses. For people, who is also common and often preferred in careful writing.

The printer that handles high-volume output is on the third floor.

whose: possessive meaning, for people and also for things in appropriate contexts.

The supplier whose proposal was accepted will visit tomorrow.

Defining or extra information?

A defining relative clause identifies which person or thing we mean. It is written without commas.

The employee who speaks French will assist the visitors.

The clause identifies which employee.

A non-defining relative clause adds extra information about a noun that is already identified. It is separated by commas.

Mr Takeda, who has worked here for 20 years, is retiring next month.

Mr Takeda is already identified; the clause adds extra information.

Important: Do not use that to introduce a non-defining relative clause, and do not omit the relative pronoun from a non-defining clause.

Subject role or object role?

Relative word = subject

The employee who speaks French will attend.

Who performs the action speaks. It cannot be omitted.

Relative word = object

The report that we submitted was approved.

We is already the subject. That represents the report as the object of submitted.

In a defining relative clause, an object relative pronoun can often be omitted:

The report we submitted was approved.

This means the same as “The report that we submitted was approved.”

Omission check: If the relative pronoun is the object in a defining clause, omission may be possible. If it is the subject, or the clause is non-defining, keep the relative pronoun.

What about whom?

Whom can refer to people when the relative pronoun is the object, especially in formal writing and after a preposition. In everyday and business English, who is also widely used as an object. This page keeps the main decision set focused on who, which, that and whose.

Practice: change the decision, not just the word

The first six items retain the original question and choice sets. The last two add a punctuation check and a role-identification check.

Anchor + subject
1. The employee ___ speaks French will assist the visitors.
Object connector
2. The report ___ we submitted yesterday was approved.
Possession
3. The client ___ contract was renewed sent a thank-you message.
Thing + subject role
4. We need a printer ___ can handle high-volume output.
Comma signal
5. The building, ___ was constructed in 1985, is still in use.
Omission
6. The equipment ___ we ordered has arrived.
Sentence repair
7. Which sentence is NOT standard because of the relative word used after commas?
Role identification
8. In “The report that we submitted yesterday was approved,” what role does that have inside the relative clause?

Use repeated errors as the diagnostic

One missed relative-clause item is not enough to identify a Learning Block. If the same problem repeats across several questions or timed sets, note which decision is failing: finding the anchor noun, recognising the clause type, or identifying subject/object/possessive role.

Final check: Find the noun being described. Check commas. Then ask whether the relative word is subject, object, or possessive. Only object relative pronouns in defining clauses can normally be omitted.

Continue the grammar work

This page practises one focused relative-clause decision. Use the Grammar Drills hub for broader continued grammar practice, or the Part 5 Guide for wider sentence-completion strategy.

Take the Learning Block DiagnosticFind a TOEIC study plan

Continue reading

Keep the same anchor-and-role method as you move into other Part 5 grammar decisions.

Back to topTOEIC Grammar DrillsTOEIC Part 5 GuideVerb Tense and AspectDoing vs To DoTOEIC Plan Finder
🧾 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.