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When the relative pronoun can or cannot be omitted.
Practice: build the sentences →A relative pronoun can often be omitted when it functions as the object of a defining relative clause, but it normally cannot be omitted when it functions as the subject.
Compare The book that I bought with The book I bought, but not The book that is on the table with The book is on the table.
The book that I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
The relative pronoun "that" can be omitted because it is the object of "bought".
The book I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
The relative pronoun is omitted; "I bought" is a complete clause.
The book that is on the table is mine.
Книга, которая на столе, моя.
The relative pronoun "that" cannot be omitted because it is the subject of "is".
The woman who lives here is a doctor.
Женщина, которая здесь живёт, врач.
The relative pronoun "who" cannot be omitted because it is the subject of "lives".
The film we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in the defining clause "we watched".
A relative pronoun functioning as the direct object can usually be omitted in a defining relative clause.
For example, The film that I watched and The film I watched are both standard.
The film that I watched was excellent.
Фильм, который я смотрел, был отличным.
The pronoun "that" is the object of "watched" and can be omitted.
The film I watched was excellent.
Фильм, который я смотрел, был отличным.
The relative pronoun is omitted; "I watched" is a complete clause.
The book that she read was interesting.
Книга, которую она читала, была интересной.
The pronoun "that" is the object of "read" and can be omitted.
The book she read was interesting.
Книга, которую она читала, была интересной.
The relative pronoun is omitted; "she read" is complete.
The car that he bought was expensive.
Машина, которую он купил, была дорогой.
The pronoun "that" is the object of "bought" and can be omitted.
A relative pronoun functioning as the subject of the relative clause cannot normally be omitted.
For example, The woman who lives here is a doctor. The form The woman lives here is a doctor does not preserve the relative-clause structure.
The woman who lives here is a doctor.
Женщина, которая здесь живёт, врач.
The pronoun "who" is the subject of "lives" and cannot be omitted.
The car that caused the accident was damaged.
Машина, которая вызвала аварию, была повреждена.
The pronoun "that" is the subject of "caused" and cannot be omitted.
The book which is on the table is mine.
Книга, которая на столе, моя.
The pronoun "which" is the subject of "is" and cannot be omitted.
The people who work here are friendly.
Люди, которые здесь работают, дружелюбные.
The pronoun "who" is the subject of "work" and cannot be omitted.
The dog that lives next door is friendly.
Собака, которая живёт по соседству, дружелюбная.
The pronoun "that" is the subject of "lives" and cannot be omitted.
To determine whether a relative pronoun can be omitted, check whether another noun or pronoun already functions as the subject of the relative clause.
For example, The man who I met contains I as the subject, so who is the object and can be omitted.
The man who I met was friendly.
Мужчина, которого я встретил, был дружелюбным.
The clause "who I met" contains "I" as subject, so "who" is the object and can be omitted.
The man I met was friendly.
Мужчина, которого я встретил, был дружелюбным.
The relative pronoun is omitted because it is the object.
The book which she bought is expensive.
Книга, которую она купила, дорогая.
The clause "which she bought" contains "she" as subject, so "which" is the object and can be omitted.
The book she bought is expensive.
Книга, которую она купила, дорогая.
The object relative pronoun is omitted.
The person that they invited is my friend.
Человек, которого они пригласили, мой друг.
The clause "that they invited" contains "they" as subject, so "that" is the object and can be omitted.
Who can often be omitted when it functions as the object of a defining relative clause.
For example, The person who I called and The person I called are both standard.
The person who I called was helpful.
Человек, которому я звонил, был полезен.
The pronoun "who" is the object of "called" and can be omitted.
The person I called was helpful.
Человек, которому я звонил, был полезен.
The relative pronoun "who" is omitted.
The woman who you met is my aunt.
Женщина, которую ты встретил, моя тётя.
The pronoun "who" is the object of "met" and can be omitted.
The woman you met is my aunt.
Женщина, которую ты встретил, моя тётя.
The relative pronoun "who" is omitted.
The man who they invited is my friend.
Мужчина, которого они пригласили, мой друг.
The pronoun "who" is the object of "invited" and can be omitted.
Whom can be omitted when it functions as the object of a defining relative clause.
For example, The man whom I met and The man I met are both standard.
The man whom I met was friendly.
Мужчина, которого я встретил, был дружелюбным.
The pronoun "whom" is the object of "met" and can be omitted.
The man I met was friendly.
Мужчина, которого я встретил, был дружелюбным.
The relative pronoun "whom" is omitted.
The woman whom you called is my aunt.
Женщина, которой ты звонил, моя тётя.
The pronoun "whom" is the object of "called" and can be omitted.
The woman you called is my aunt.
Женщина, которой ты звонил, моя тётя.
The relative pronoun "whom" is omitted.
The person whom they invited is my friend.
Человек, которого они пригласили, мой друг.
The pronoun "whom" is the object of "invited" and can be omitted.
Which can be omitted when it functions as the object of a defining relative clause.
For example, The book which I bought and The book I bought are both standard.
The book which I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
The pronoun "which" is the object of "bought" and can be omitted.
The book I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
The relative pronoun "which" is omitted.
The car which she drives is very old.
Машина, которую она водит, очень старая.
The pronoun "which" is the object of "drives" and can be omitted.
The car she drives is very old.
Машина, которую она водит, очень старая.
The relative pronoun "which" is omitted.
The film which we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
The pronoun "which" is the object of "watched" and can be omitted.
That can be omitted when it functions as the object of a defining relative clause.
For example, The house that we bought and The house we bought are both standard.
The house that we bought is large.
Дом, который мы купили, большой.
The pronoun "that" is the object of "bought" and can be omitted.
The house we bought is large.
Дом, который мы купили, большой.
The relative pronoun "that" is omitted.
The book that she read was interesting.
Книга, которую она читала, была интересной.
The pronoun "that" is the object of "read" and can be omitted.
The book she read was interesting.
Книга, которую она читала, была интересной.
The relative pronoun "that" is omitted.
The movie that we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
The pronoun "that" is the object of "watched" and can be omitted.
That cannot normally be omitted when it functions as the subject of a defining relative clause.
For example, The car that caused the accident was damaged. Removing that would leave the relative clause without its subject.
The car that caused the accident was damaged.
Машина, которая вызвала аварию, была повреждена.
The pronoun "that" is the subject of "caused" and cannot be omitted.
The train that arrives at six is usually crowded.
Поезд, который прибывает в шесть, обычно переполнен.
The pronoun "that" is the subject of "arrives" and cannot be omitted.
The dog that lives next door is friendly.
Собака, которая живёт по соседству, дружелюбная.
The pronoun "that" is the subject of "lives" and cannot be omitted.
The book that is on the table is mine.
Книга, которая на столе, моя.
The pronoun "that" is the subject of "is" and cannot be omitted.
The person that called you is my uncle.
Человек, который тебе звонил, мой дядя.
The pronoun "that" is the subject of "called" and cannot be omitted.
Which cannot normally be omitted when it functions as the subject of a defining relative clause.
For example, The car which caused the accident was damaged.
The car which caused the accident was damaged.
Машина, которая вызвала аварию, была повреждена.
The pronoun "which" is the subject of "caused" and cannot be omitted.
The book which is on the table is mine.
Книга, которая на столе, моя.
The pronoun "which" is the subject of "is" and cannot be omitted.
The train which arrives at six is usually crowded.
Поезд, который прибывает в шесть, обычно переполнен.
The pronoun "which" is the subject of "arrives" and cannot be omitted.
The dog which lives next door is friendly.
Собака, которая живёт по соседству, дружелюбная.
The pronoun "which" is the subject of "lives" and cannot be omitted.
The house which has a red door is mine.
Дом, у которого красная дверь, мой.
The pronoun "which" is the subject of "has" and cannot be omitted.
Who cannot normally be omitted when it functions as the subject of a defining relative clause.
For example, The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
Женщина, которая живёт по соседству, врач.
The pronoun "who" is the subject of "lives" and cannot be omitted.
The man who called you is my uncle.
Мужчина, который тебе звонил, мой дядя.
The pronoun "who" is the subject of "called" and cannot be omitted.
The girl who won the prize is my sister.
Девочка, которая выиграла приз, моя сестра.
The pronoun "who" is the subject of "won" and cannot be omitted.
The teacher who helped me was very kind.
Учитель, который мне помог, был очень добрым.
The pronoun "who" is the subject of "helped" and cannot be omitted.
The people who work here are friendly.
Люди, которые здесь работают, дружелюбные.
The pronoun "who" is the subject of "work" and cannot be omitted.
A relative pronoun cannot be omitted when a preposition directly precedes it.
For example, The person to whom I spoke is formal, but The person whom I spoke to can omit whom in less formal English.
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The pronoun "whom" cannot be omitted because it follows the preposition "to".
The person whom I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The pronoun "whom" can be omitted in less formal English when the preposition is at the end.
The person I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The relative pronoun is omitted; the preposition "to" remains at the end.
The company for which she works is expanding.
Компания, на которую она работает, расширяется.
The pronoun "which" cannot be omitted after the preposition "for".
The company she works for is expanding.
Компания, на которую она работает, расширяется.
The relative pronoun is omitted; the preposition "for" is at the end.
When a preposition is placed at the end of a defining relative clause, the object relative pronoun can often be omitted.
For example, The person who I spoke to, The person whom I spoke to, and The person I spoke to are all possible.
The person who I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The pronoun "who" can be omitted when the preposition "to" is at the end.
The person whom I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The pronoun "whom" can be omitted when the preposition is at the end.
The person I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The object relative pronoun is omitted; the preposition "to" remains.
The book which I was looking for is on the shelf.
Книга, которую я искал, на полке.
The pronoun "which" can be omitted when the preposition "for" is at the end.
The book I was looking for is on the shelf.
Книга, которую я искал, на полке.
The relative pronoun is omitted; the preposition "for" is at the end.
Object relative pronouns can often be omitted after phrasal or prepositional verbs when the pronoun is functioning as the object.
For example, The person I was talking to and The problem we need to deal with.
The person I was talking to is my friend.
Человек, с которым я разговаривал, мой друг.
The object relative pronoun is omitted after the prepositional verb "talking to".
The problem we need to deal with is serious.
Проблема, с которой нам нужно разобраться, серьёзная.
The object relative pronoun is omitted after the phrasal verb "deal with".
The person who I was talking to is my friend.
Человек, с которым я разговаривал, мой друг.
The pronoun "who" can be omitted in this prepositional verb structure.
The book which I was looking for is on the shelf.
Книга, которую я искал, на полке.
The pronoun "which" can be omitted after the phrasal verb "looking for".
The book I was looking for is on the shelf.
Книга, которую я искал, на полке.
The object relative pronoun is omitted after the phrasal verb "looking for".
Relative pronouns are not normally omitted in non-defining relative clauses, even when they function as objects.
For example, My brother, whom I visited yesterday, is a doctor. The form My brother, I visited yesterday, is not standard.
My brother, whom I visited yesterday, is a doctor.
Мой брат, которого я навестил вчера, врач.
The relative pronoun "whom" cannot be omitted in this non-defining clause.
My car, which I bought last year, is reliable.
Моя машина, которую я купил в прошлом году, надёжная.
The pronoun "which" cannot be omitted in this non-defining clause.
My sister, who I called yesterday, is a teacher.
Моя сестра, которой я звонил вчера, учительница.
The pronoun "who" cannot be omitted in a non-defining clause.
The book, which I read last week, was fascinating.
Книга, которую я прочитал на прошлой неделе, была увлекательной.
The pronoun "which" is required in this non-defining clause.
John, who I met at the conference, is my colleague.
Джон, которого я встретил на конференции, мой коллега.
The pronoun "who" cannot be omitted in this non-defining clause.
Object relative pronouns are most freely omitted in defining relative clauses.
For example, The book I bought yesterday was expensive.
The book I bought yesterday was expensive.
Книга, которую я купил вчера, была дорогой.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in this defining clause.
The film we watched last night was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели вчера вечером, был отличным.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in this defining clause.
The car she drives is very old.
Машина, которую она водит, очень старая.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in this defining clause.
The person I called was very helpful.
Человек, которому я звонил, был очень полезен.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in this defining clause.
The house we bought is large.
Дом, который мы купили, большой.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in this defining clause.
Whose is not normally omitted because it functions as a possessive determiner within the relative clause.
For example, The woman whose car was stolen cannot normally be reduced by simply removing whose.
The woman whose car was stolen called the police.
Женщина, чью машину украли, позвонила в полицию.
The pronoun "whose" cannot be omitted because it functions as a possessive determiner.
The man whose son plays football is my neighbour.
Мужчина, чей сын играет в футбол, мой сосед.
The pronoun "whose" cannot be omitted.
The girl whose bag is on the chair is my sister.
Девочка, чья сумка на стуле, моя сестра.
The pronoun "whose" cannot be omitted.
The company whose offices are in London is hiring.
Компания, чьи офисы в Лондоне, нанимает сотрудников.
The pronoun "whose" cannot be omitted.
The dog whose tail is short is mine.
Собака, чей хвост короткий, моя.
The pronoun "whose" cannot be omitted.
When and other relative forms referring to time can sometimes be omitted when the remaining clause is grammatically complete.
For example, The day when we met and The day we met are both standard.
The day when we met was sunny.
День, когда мы встретились, был солнечным.
The relative adverb "when" can be omitted in this time expression.
The day we met was sunny.
День, когда мы встретились, был солнечным.
The relative adverb "when" is omitted; the clause "we met" is complete.
The year when she graduated was 2018.
Год, когда она окончила университет, был 2018.
The relative adverb "when" can be omitted.
The year she graduated was 2018.
Год, когда она окончила университет, был 2018.
The relative adverb "when" is omitted.
I remember the moment when he arrived.
Я помню момент, когда он пришёл.
The relative adverb "when" can be omitted after "moment".
Why can often be omitted after reason when the following clause remains grammatically complete.
For example, The reason why she left and The reason she left are both standard.
The reason why she left is unknown.
Причина, по которой она ушла, неизвестна.
The relative adverb "why" can be omitted after "reason".
The reason she left is unknown.
Причина, по которой она ушла, неизвестна.
The relative adverb "why" is omitted; the clause "she left" is complete.
I do not know the reason why he resigned.
Я не знаю причину, по которой он уволился.
The relative adverb "why" can be omitted after "reason".
I do not know the reason he resigned.
Я не знаю причину, по которой он уволился.
The relative adverb "why" is omitted.
Tell me the reason why you are upset.
Скажи мне причину, по которой ты расстроен.
The relative adverb "why" can be omitted after "reason".
Omitting a relative pronoun is different from reducing a relative clause by using a participle or infinitive.
The book I bought is an omitted object relative pronoun, while The book bought yesterday is a reduced relative clause.
The book I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
This is an example of an omitted object relative pronoun; the clause is "I bought".
The book bought yesterday is on the table.
Книга, купленная вчера, на столе.
This is a reduced relative clause using the past participle "bought".
The film we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
This is an omitted object relative pronoun; the clause is "we watched".
The film watched by millions was excellent.
Фильм, просмотренный миллионами, был отличным.
This is a reduced relative clause using the past participle "watched".
The man I met was friendly.
Мужчина, которого я встретил, был дружелюбным.
This is an omitted object relative pronoun; the clause is "I met".
Object relative pronoun omission is especially common in speech and informal writing.
For example, The movie I watched yesterday is very natural in everyday English.
The movie I watched yesterday is very natural in everyday English.
Фильм, который я смотрел вчера, очень естественен в повседневном английском.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in informal English.
The person I called was very helpful.
Человек, которому я звонил, был очень полезен.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in informal English.
The book she read was interesting.
Книга, которую она читала, была интересной.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in informal English.
The car he bought was expensive.
Машина, которую он купил, была дорогой.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in informal English.
The house we bought is large.
Дом, который мы купили, большой.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in informal English.
Object relative pronoun omission is also grammatically standard in formal English, although a full relative pronoun may sometimes be preferred for clarity.
For example, The report we received was incomplete is standard formal English.
The report we received was incomplete.
Отчёт, который мы получили, был неполным.
The object relative pronoun is omitted; this is standard formal English.
The data we collected were analyzed.
Данные, которые мы собрали, были проанализированы.
The object relative pronoun is omitted; this is standard formal English.
The evidence they presented was convincing.
Доказательства, которые они представили, были убедительными.
The object relative pronoun is omitted; this is standard formal English.
The proposal we submitted was accepted.
Предложение, которое мы подали, было принято.
The object relative pronoun is omitted; this is standard formal English.
The study they conducted was published.
Исследование, которое они провели, было опубликовано.
The object relative pronoun is omitted; this is standard formal English.
An omitted relative pronoun should not make the sentence difficult to parse or create ambiguity.
A full relative pronoun can sometimes improve clarity when several possible grammatical analyses exist.
The book I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
The omitted relative pronoun does not create ambiguity in this sentence.
The person I called was very helpful.
Человек, которому я звонил, был очень полезен.
The omitted relative pronoun does not create ambiguity here.
The car she drives is very old.
Машина, которую она водит, очень старая.
The omitted relative pronoun does not create ambiguity here.
The film we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
The omitted relative pronoun does not create ambiguity here.
The report we received from the company last week contained several errors.
Отчёт, который мы получили от компании на прошлой неделе, содержал несколько ошибок.
The omitted relative pronoun does not create ambiguity even in a longer clause.
Object relative pronoun omission can occur even when the relative clause is long, provided the grammatical structure remains clear.
For example, The report we received from the company last week contained several errors.
The report we received from the company last week contained several errors.
Отчёт, который мы получили от компании на прошлой неделе, содержал несколько ошибок.
The object relative pronoun is omitted; the long clause "we received from the company last week" remains clear.
The information we gathered during the investigation was crucial.
Информация, которую мы собрали во время расследования, была решающей.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in a long clause.
The documents they sent us last month have not arrived.
Документы, которые они отправили нам в прошлом месяце, не прибыли.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in a long clause.
The proposal she presented at the meeting was accepted.
Предложение, которое она представила на собрании, было принято.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in a long clause.
The data he collected over several years supported the theory.
Данные, которые он собирал в течение нескольких лет, подтвердили теорию.
The object relative pronoun is omitted in a long clause.
Omit a relative pronoun only when it functions as an object in an appropriate defining construction.
Common mistakes include omitting a subject relative pronoun, omitting pronouns in non-defining clauses, omitting whose, and confusing pronoun omission with relative-clause reduction.
The book I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
The object relative pronoun is correctly omitted in this defining clause.
The woman who lives here is a doctor.
Женщина, которая здесь живёт, врач.
Do not omit the subject relative pronoun "who".
My brother, whom I visited yesterday, is a doctor.
Мой брат, которого я навестил вчера, врач.
Do not omit the relative pronoun in a non-defining clause.
The woman whose car was stolen called the police.
Женщина, чью машину украли, позвонила в полицию.
Do not omit "whose" because it is a possessive determiner.
The book bought yesterday is on the table.
Книга, купленная вчера, на столе.
This is a reduced relative clause, not an example of pronoun omission.