What is a reduced relative clause?
A defining relative clause (that we have seen, who are interested in…) can often be shortened. We delete the relative pronoun — and sometimes the verb be with it — and what is left still modifies the same noun. The meaning does not change; the sentence just becomes shorter and more natural.
| Full clause | Reduced clause |
|---|
| We're not going to talk about tornadoes that we have seen or heard about. | We're not going to talk about tornadoes we've seen or heard about. |
| People who are interested in storm chasing can stream this interview. | People interested in storm chasing can stream this interview. |
| Storm chasers who are near the tornado can report in real time. | Storm chasers near the tornado can report in real time. |
There are three patterns, and one situation where you must leave the clause alone.
Pattern 1 — drop the object pronoun
If the relative pronoun is the object of its own clause, you can simply delete it.
noun + who / which / that + subject + verb
the tornadoes that we've seen or heard about
the film which Tom recommended last night
Is that the message that she sent you?
The quick test: look at the word straight after the pronoun. If a new subject follows (we, she, Tom, my parents), the pronoun is the object and can go.
The coursebook mentions subject pronouns (I, she, we), but a noun subject works exactly the same way: the film Tom recommended.
Pattern 2 — drop the pronoun and be
When the pronoun is the subject of its clause and is followed by the verb be, delete both.
noun + who / which / that + is / are / was / were + adjective phrase or prepositional phrase
People who are interested in storm chasing can stream this interview.
Storm chasers who are near the tornado can report in real time.
The books that were on the top shelf are all mine.
Pattern 3 — participle clauses
The same deletion also works in front of a participle. What is left is an -ing form (active) or a past participle (passive).
| Full clause | Reduced clause |
|---|
| the man who is standing over there | the man standing over there |
| the letters that were sent yesterday | the letters sent yesterday |
| anyone who wants a ticket | anyone wanting a ticket |
Note the last row: even without be, an active clause can become an -ing form.
When you can't reduce
Three situations block the reduction.
The man who lives next door is a pilot. — the pronoun is the subject and there is no be, so it must stay.
My brother, who I saw yesterday, has moved to Lisbon. — non-defining clauses (with commas) always keep the pronoun.
The woman whose car was stolen called the police. — whose never drops.
⚠ Common mistakes:
✗ The man lives next door is a pilot. → ✓ The man who lives next door…
✗ People are interested in storm chasing can stream it. → ✓ People interested in storm chasing…
✗ My brother, I saw yesterday, has moved. → ✓ My brother, who I saw yesterday, has moved.
✗ the letters sending yesterday → ✓ the letters sent yesterday
✗ The woman car was stolen called the police. → ✓ The woman whose car was stolen…