Advanced Relative Clauses
B2 · Upper IntermediateRelative ClausesI have three sisters, two of whom live abroad. He apologized, which surprised everyone. Two advanced patterns.
What you'll learn
- Quantifier + of + whom/which lets you comment on part of a group (two of whom, most of which)
- Use 'of whom' for people and 'of which' for things after a quantifier
- 'Which' can refer to an entire preceding clause, not just a single noun
- This 'sentential which' is always non-defining, always with a comma
Two advanced patterns
Beyond the basic defining and non-defining patterns, English has two more sophisticated relative clause constructions: commenting on part of a group with a quantifier, and referring back to an entire idea rather than a single noun.
Quantifier + of whom / of which
Quantifiers like 'many,' 'some,' 'none,' 'several,' and numbers can combine with 'of whom' (people) or 'of which' (things) to comment on part of a group you just mentioned.
'Which' referring to a whole clause
Normally, a relative pronoun refers back to a single noun. But 'which' can also refer to the entire idea of the clause before it — this is sometimes called a 'sentential' relative clause. It's always non-defining, so it always has a comma before it, and 'that' can never replace it here.
Real English
Watch out
After a preposition like 'of,' use 'whom,' not 'who.'
When 'which' refers to a whole clause, it can never be replaced by 'that' — and it always needs a comma.
Use 'which,' not 'what,' to refer back to a whole idea — 'what' isn't a relative pronoun in this pattern.
Real life — Catching up with a friend
"How was the trip? Weren't you traveling with a big group?"
"Yeah, twelve of us, most of whom I'd never met before."
"And how did it go?"
"Great, actually — which surprised me, honestly."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct combination
Choose the correct quantifier + relative pronoun combination.
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence referring to a whole preceding clause (not just one noun).
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct combination
Choose the correct quantifier + relative pronoun combination.
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct combination
Choose the correct quantifier + relative pronoun combination.
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 8 · Choose the correct combination
Choose the correct quantifier + relative pronoun combination for people.
Exercise 9 · Combine the sentences
Combine using 'which' to refer to the whole first sentence: 'He forgot her birthday. This upset her deeply.'
Exercise 10 · Combine the sentences
Combine using a quantifier + relative pronoun: 'I read ten books last month. Three of the books were excellent.'
Exercise 11 · Sort into groups
0 / 6 sorted
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Choose the correct sentence.
You learned
- Quantifier + of whom/which lets you comment on part of a group.
- Use 'of whom' for people and 'of which' for things.
- 'Which' can refer to an entire preceding clause, not just a single noun.
- This 'sentential which' is always non-defining, always with a comma.
Related grammar lessons
Prepositions in Relative Clauses
Learn the two ways to place a preposition in a relative clause: formal (preposition + whom/which up front) and informal (preposition stranded at the end).
Reduced Relative Clauses
Learn to reduce relative clauses to participle phrases — dropping the relative pronoun and the verb 'be' to sound more concise and natural.
Relative Adverbs: Where, When, and Why
Learn to use where, when, and why as relative adverbs — natural, one-word replacements for 'in/at/on which' and 'for which'.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Learn how non-defining (non-restrictive) relative clauses add extra, non-essential information — always with commas, and never with 'that'.