Reduced Relative Clauses

Sample usage from the article:

• Other regions (which were) surveyed…
• …part of a US-based programme (which is) known as…

You may delete the relative pronoun (who, that, which) and the “be” verb when:

 

1. they are followed by a prepositional phrase.

A. The man who is in the house likes to watch television all day.

The man in the house likes to watch television all day.

B. The books that are on the desk are mine.

The books on the desk are mine.

 

2. the main verb in the relative clause is progressive.

A. The man who is swimming in the lake is my father.

The man swimming in the lake is my father.

B. The clothes that are lying on the floor belong to me.

The clothes lying on the floor belong to me.

 

3. the main verb in the relative clause is passive.

A. The survey which was conducted by the government did not indicate true public opinion.

The survey conducted by the government did not indicate true public opinion.

B. The food that was eaten by the mice was poisonous.

The food eaten by the mice was poisonous.