Learn Relative Clauses Easily with this Class 6 Grammar Worksheet [With Examples]

Relative Clauses (Restrictive vs Non-Restrictive) English Grammar Worksheet

Relative clauses are an essential part of sentence construction in English grammar. They help us add more information about a noun in a sentence without having to repeat the noun itself. In this Grade 6 worksheet, we dive deep into understanding the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses. By mastering these clauses, students will enhance their writing skills, making their sentences more detailed and clearer. So, let’s explore the world of relative clauses and improve our grammar skills!

 What is the topic?

Relative clauses are used to give more information about a noun in a sentence. These clauses are introduced by relative pronouns such as "who," "whom," "whose," "which," or "that." The worksheet focuses on two types of relative clauses:

1. **Restrictive relative clauses**: These clauses are essential for the meaning of the sentence. They help identify the noun they describe. For example, "The book that I borrowed was interesting." Without the clause, the sentence would lose its meaning.

2. **Non-restrictive relative clauses**: These clauses add extra information, but the sentence still makes sense without them. They are often separated by commas. For example, "My friend, who loves to read, is coming over today." Here, the clause "who loves to read" adds extra detail but isn’t necessary to identify the noun "friend."

 What’s in this worksheet?

This worksheet provides various exercises aimed at helping students practice identifying and using restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses.

1. **Exercise 1 – Identify the clause type**: Students are tasked with reading sentences and identifying whether the relative clause is restrictive or non-restrictive.

2. **Exercise 2 – Punctuation practice**: This section asks students to select the correct punctuation for sentences containing relative clauses.

3. **Exercise 3 – Sentence rewriting**: Students rewrite sentences in different tenses, applying relative clauses correctly.

4. **Exercise 4 – Fill in the blanks**: This exercise involves filling in missing relative clauses in a passage.

5. **Exercise 5 – Paragraph writing**: Students write a short paragraph using both restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses.

This worksheet focuses on improving students' understanding of these clauses and is designed to help them prepare for exams and improve their writing.

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 Definitions, examples, techniques, and tips

**Definitions**: 
**Restrictive relative clause**: A clause that provides essential information, necessary for identifying the noun it modifies. Example: "The man who called you is waiting outside."
- **Non-restrictive relative clause**: A clause that provides extra information but is not essential to the sentence’s meaning. Example: "My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us."

 **Examples**:
- **Restrictive**: "The book that I borrowed was fantastic."
- **Non-restrictive**: "The book, which I borrowed from the library, was fantastic."

**Techniques**: 
- To distinguish between the two, ask if the sentence makes sense without the clause. If it does, the clause is non-restrictive.
- Use commas for non-restrictive clauses to separate them from the main sentence.

 **Quick learning tips**:
- Remember, restrictive clauses are crucial to the sentence’s meaning, while non-restrictive clauses add additional, but unnecessary, information.
- Practice using commas correctly for non-restrictive clauses.

Why is it important to learn this?

Understanding restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses is important because it helps students construct more complex sentences. This knowledge enables them to express detailed thoughts and ideas more clearly and concisely. Mastering these clauses will improve their ability to write and speak more confidently in English, whether in school assignments, exams, or casual conversations. Moreover, students can express themselves more effectively by providing essential or additional details in their sentences.

Where will this knowledge help you?

This knowledge will come in handy in several academic and practical situations:

1. **Exams**: Relative clauses often appear in grammar sections of exams. Understanding how to identify and use them will help students score higher.

2. **Writing tasks**: Whether it’s writing essays, stories, or even simple sentences, using relative clauses allows students to convey more information clearly and succinctly.

3. **Class participation**: In classroom discussions and group work, using relative clauses effectively can make students sound more articulate and confident.

How to use this worksheet?

To make the most of this worksheet, follow these steps:

1. **Attempt independently first**: Try to solve the exercises without any help. This will test your knowledge and help you identify areas that need improvement.

2. **Review answers carefully**: Once you’ve completed the worksheet, check your answers against the answer key provided.

3. **Correct mistakes**: If you find any mistakes, analyze them carefully to understand why you made them, then correct them.

4. **Practice regularly**: To truly master relative clauses, practice is essential. Regularly complete exercises like these to build your understanding and skill.

Important tips and tricks

Here are some helpful tips to ensure you perform well in exams and activities related to relative clauses:

1. **Common mistakes**: 
- Forgetting to use commas with non-restrictive clauses is a common mistake. Remember to separate non-restrictive clauses with commas.
- Confusing restrictive and non-restrictive clauses can lead to incorrect sentence construction.

2. **What examiners expect**:
- Examiners expect students to use correct punctuation, especially for non-restrictive clauses.
- The ability to differentiate between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses is often tested in grammar exercises.

3. **How to score full marks**: 
- Pay attention to the punctuation and ensure you understand the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses. Practice regularly to improve your skills.

4. **How to approach activity-based or writing-based tasks**:
- In writing-based tasks like Exercise 5, remember to incorporate both types of clauses to show your understanding. Always review your sentences for correct punctuation and meaning.

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Complete answer key

**Exercise No. 1 – Identify if the clause is restrictive or non-restrictive**
1. Non-restrictive 
2. Restrictive 
3. Non-restrictive 
4. Non-restrictive 
5. Restrictive 
6. Restrictive 
7. Restrictive 
8. Restrictive 
9. Restrictive 
10. Non-restrictive 

**Exercise No. 2 – Choose the correct punctuation for the relative clause**
1. a) My brother, who lives abroad, is visiting. 
2. a) The book that I bought is new. 
3. a) She gave me the dress that she made. 
4. b) The house, which was built in 1980, is still standing. 
5. a) I have a dog that barks loudly. 
6. a) The teacher, who is kind, helped me. 
7. b) The car that I drive is old. 
8. a) The city, which is very crowded, is hard to navigate. 
9. a) I know a man who works here. 
10. a) The movie, which was released last year, won several awards. 

**Exercise No. 3 – Apply the rule to rewrite each sentence correctly**
1. She missed the train because she was late. (Simple Past Tense) 
2. The woman who lives next door is very friendly. (Present Continuous Tense) 
3. The book that I read was interesting. (Future Simple Tense) 
4. The dog, which is very friendly, loves to play. (Simple Past Tense) 
5. The man who helped me was kind. (Simple Present Tense) 

**Exercise No. 4 – Fill in the blanks with the correct punctuation for the relative clauses**
1. who 
2. that 
3. who 
4. what 
5. when 
6. which 
7. where 
8. what 
9. when 
10. what 

**Exercise No. 5 – Write a short paragraph using both restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses** 
(Sample answer: A man who works at the park is my neighbor. He, who is very friendly, always waves at me when I pass by. His dog, which is very playful, loves to chase balls.)

Outro

Mastering relative clauses is a big step toward improving your English grammar. Whether in writing or speaking, these clauses help you provide important details in a clear and organized manner. Practice regularly, and soon, using restrictive and non-restrictive clauses will become second nature. Keep up the great work in Grade 6, and don’t forget to continue practicing grammar every day!

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