Mastering Relative Clauses for TOEIC Success

If you've ever paused in the middle of a TOEIC Part 5 sentence and thought, “Wait… who is doing what to whom?”, you’ve probably met your match in relative clauses.

Relative clauses are a crucial part of English sentence structure, especially in TOEIC reading and grammar sections. These clauses allow us to give more information about a noun without starting a new sentence. They're efficient, elegant, and — when used correctly — a major score booster.

What Is a Relative Clause?

A relative clause is a group of words that gives more information about a noun. These clauses usually begin with words like who, which, that, whose, or whom. The clause connects to the noun it describes, often right next to it.

Examples:

  • The manager who approved the proposal is on vacation.

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

In both cases, the clause explains exactly which person or thing we're talking about.

Defining vs. Non-Defining Clauses

There are two types of relative clauses that appear frequently in TOEIC grammar:

  1. Defining clauses (also called restrictive clauses): These are essential for understanding which noun is being referred to. They are not separated by commas.

    • The employee who speaks French will attend the meeting in Paris.

    • I bought a phone that has excellent battery life.

  2. Non-defining clauses (also called non-restrictive clauses): These provide extra, non-essential information. They are always set off by commas.

    • 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.

For TOEIC purposes, defining clauses are more common. Focus your study here first.

Subject or Object?

Another common TOEIC trap is understanding the role the relative pronoun plays in the clause — is it the subject or the object?

When the relative pronoun is the subject, it performs the action:

  • The woman who leads the project is away today.

When it’s the object, the action is done to it:

  • The report that we submitted was approved.

If there’s already a clear subject inside the clause (like “we” in the second sentence), then the relative pronoun is likely the object — and sometimes it can be omitted.

When You Can Omit “That” or “Who”

TOEIC loves testing this.

If the relative pronoun is the object of the clause, and a subject is already present, the pronoun can often be dropped:

  • The equipment (that) we ordered has arrived.

  • The candidate (who) we interviewed was impressive.

Notice that both sentences still work without “that” or “who.” This omission often appears in TOEIC sentence completion questions, especially in the shorter and more concise choices.

Choosing the Right Relative Pronoun

Here’s a simple guide to help:

  • Use who or whom for people.

  • Use which or that for things.

  • Use whose to show possession.

  • Use that for 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…

Keep in mind that TOEIC doesn’t test “which vs. that” as a stylistic choice — it tests whether your clause makes grammatical sense, especially with subject-verb agreement and clause placement.

Why Relative Clauses Matter on TOEIC

Relative clauses appear across Part 5 and Part 6, often hidden inside long noun phrases or interrupting sentences. You’ll see them in:

  • Sentence completion questions

  • Error identification

  • Reading comprehension sections

  • Paraphrasing and modifier questions

They may not always be underlined, but they often hold the grammatical key to choosing the correct answer.

Final Tip

Practice identifying relative clauses quickly. Ask yourself:

  • Is it describing a noun?

  • Is there a relative pronoun?

  • Can I omit it?

By mastering these small clauses, you unlock a major TOEIC advantage.

🧾 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.