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Primary English · Year 5Chapter 4 · Relative clauses and adverbials of time, place and cause
Year 5 English · Relative clauses and adverbials of time, place and cause · Lesson 4.3

Year 5 English: Leaving out the relative pronoun

Part of the Year 5 English relative clauses and adverbials of time, place and cause chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

4.3

Leaving out the relative pronoun

Year 5
Leave out the relative pronoun when it is the object of the clause (G5-1)
Story. Leah is writing a list of her favourite books. She writes, The book I read last night was funny. Her friend says the word that could go after book. Leah checks: it can, but it is not needed.

Key pattern

A relative pronoun can be left out when it is the object of the verb in the clause: The book (that) I read.

It cannot be left out when it is the subject of the verb: The girl who waved is my friend. Who waved is the subject.

Key ideas

  • Leave out the pronoun when it is the object (I read the book).
  • Keep the pronoun when it is the subject (who waved).
  • Test by reading the sentence without the pronoun: does it still make sense?
  • Some people call this the omitted or dropped relative pronoun.
Worked example 4.3.1
Can the word that be left out of The toy that I found was broken? Write the new sentence.

Method. Check whether that is the subject or the object of found.

  1. Find the verb in the clause. The verb is found.
    found
  2. Check the subject and object. I is the subject; that is the object of found.
    object
  3. Remove the pronoun. The toy I found was broken still makes sense.
    The toy I found was broken.
  4. Write the answer.
    The toy I found was broken.

Check. The sentence still makes sense. ✓

Worked example 4.3.2
Can the word who be left out of The girl who waved is my friend? Write Yes or No.

Method. Check whether who is the subject of waved.

  1. Find the verb. The verb is waved.
    waved
  2. Check the subject. Who is the one doing the waving, so it is the subject.
    subject
  3. Write the answer.
    No

Check. It cannot be left out. ✓

Worked example 4.3.3
Which sentence can leave out its relative pronoun: The bag which I packed or The bag which is blue?

Method. Check which one has an object pronoun.

  1. Look at the first clause. In which I packed, I is the subject and which is the object.
    object
  2. Look at the second clause. In which is blue, which is the subject.
    subject
  3. Write the answer.
    the bag which I packed

Check. Only the first can leave out which. ✓

Exercise 4C  Practice: when the pronoun can be left out

1
FWrite the sentence without the relative pronoun: The song that I like best is on this album.
2
FWrite the sentence without the relative pronoun: The apple that Sam picked was red.
3
FWhich relative pronoun can be left out: The shop which we visited or The shop which sells maps?
4
FCan who be left out of The man who lives here is kind? Write Yes or No.
5
FCan that be left out of The dog that barked at the postman is brown? Write Yes or No.
6
FWrite the sentence without the relative pronoun: The jumper that Mum knitted is warm.
7
PSWrite the relative clause in The toy that I found was broken with the pronoun left out.
8
PSWhich is the subject in The boy who ran was fast: boy or who?
9
PSWhich relative pronoun is the object in The cake which Ella baked was sweet?
10
RWrite a sentence with a relative clause in which the relative pronoun can be left out.
11
RExplain why you cannot leave out who from Anyone who wants a turn can join in.

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