Relative Clauses

 Relative Clauses

1. What is a Relative Clause?

A relative clause is a group of words that begins with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) or a relative adverb (where, when, why) and gives more information about a noun in the sentence.

Relative Pronouns Quick Reference

Pronoun	Used for
who	people (subject)
whom	people (object)
whose	possession (people/things)
which	things/animals
that	people or things (defining only)

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2. Defining (Restrictive) Relative Clauses

Definition

A defining relative clause gives essential information to identify the noun. Without it, the sentence’s meaning is incomplete or unclear.

Uses

• No commas
• Can use that instead of who/which
• Essential for meaning

Examples

Students who study regularly pass the TEAS exam.
(Without the clause, “Students pass” – which students? Unclear.)

The book that is on the table is mine.

I need a car that has good gas mileage.

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3. Non-Defining (Non-Restrictive) Relative Clauses

Definition

A non-defining relative clause gives extra, non-essential information about a noun already identified. The sentence makes sense without it.

Uses

• Commas before and after (or just before at end)
• Cannot use that – only who/whom/which/whose
• Common in formal writing

Examples

My sister, who lives in Texas, is a nurse.
(I have only one sister; the clause adds extra info.)

The TEAS exam, which has seven sections, is challenging.

Dr. Jones, whom you met yesterday, is my advisor.

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4. Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Defining	Non-Defining
Commas	No	Yes
Can use "that"	Yes	No
Can omit clause?	No – meaning changes	Yes – meaning remains clear
Example	The nurse who helped me was kind.	My mother, who is a nurse, helped me.

TEAS Tip

Look for commas.

If commas are present and the clause can be removed without losing the sentence’s core meaning → non-defining

If no commas and the information is essential → defining

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5. Practice Questions (TEAS Style)

Question 1

Which sentence contains a non-defining relative clause?

A) The patient who arrived first was seen immediately.
B) My stethoscope, which I bought last year, needs repair.
C) Nurses that work night shifts often drink coffee.
D) The hospital where I volunteer is understaffed.

Answer: B

Reason: The clause “which I bought last year” is surrounded by commas and can be removed (“My stethoscope needs repair” still identifies the stethoscope). In A, C, D, the clauses are essential (which patient? which nurses? which hospital?).

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Question 2

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

A) The surgeon who performed the operation is famous.
B) The surgeon, who performed the operation, is famous.
C) The surgeon that performed the operation, is famous.
D) The surgeon who performed the operation, is famous.

Answer: A

Reason: The clause “who performed the operation” is defining (identifies which surgeon) → no commas.

B is incorrect because it makes it non-defining (implies only one surgeon, which is possible but less likely without context).

C and D have misplaced commas.

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Question 3

Which sentence is incorrect because of incorrect relative pronoun use?

A) The nurse whom I called yesterday called back today.
B) The building that was damaged in the storm will be rebuilt.
C) My grandmother, that is 85 years old, still works out.
D) The student whose laptop broke borrowed mine.

Answer: C

Reason: In non-defining clauses (commas), that is never used.

Correct sentence:
“My grandmother, who is 85 years old, still works out.”

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Question 4

Read the sentence and decide if the relative clause is defining or non-defining.

“The medications that have expired should be discarded immediately.”

A) Defining – no commas, essential to know which medications
B) Defining – extra information, but still necessary
C) Non-defining – commas are optional
D) Non-defining – the sentence would still make sense without the clause

Answer: A

Reason: Without “that have expired,” the sentence says:

“The medications should be discarded.”

That means all medications, not just expired ones.

The clause is essential. No commas.

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Question 5

Which of the following correctly uses whom in a non-defining clause?

A) The doctor, whom I admire, won an award.
B) The doctor whom I admire won an award.
C) The doctor that I admire won an award.
D) The doctor, who I admire, won an award.

Answer: A

Reason: “Whom” is correct as the object of admire.

Non-defining clauses require commas.

B is defining (no commas), so whom is possible but not the best answer.

C uses that in a defining clause.

D uses who as object – common informally, but TEAS prefers whom.

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6. Final TEAS Strategy

If you see...	It's likely...
No commas + that/who/which/whose	Defining
Commas + who/whom/which/whose (not that)	Non-defining
The sentence makes sense without the clause	Non-defining
The sentence becomes vague without the clause	Defining

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Memorize

That = only defining, no commas

Which = non-defining with commas; defining (no commas) in British English but in TEAS, expect which with commas

Who = people, either type

Whom = object of verb/preposition, formal

Whose = possession

The 9 Wh- Words (and How)

Wh- Word	Meaning	Grammatical Use	Example
Who	person (subject)	asks about a person doing an action	Who called the nurse?
Whom	person (object)	asks about a person receiving an action	Whom did you notify?
Whose	possession (person/thing)	asks about ownership or relationship	Whose stethoscope is this?
Which	selection from a limited set	asks about a choice between known options	Which medication did you administer?
What	thing, idea, action, or unlimited choice	asks for general information or definition	What is the patient’s temperature?
Where	place or location	asks about position, direction, or source	Where is the emergency room?
When	time	asks about a moment, duration, or frequency	When does the shift begin?
Why	reason or cause	asks for an explanation or purpose	Why is the patient hypotensive?
How	manner, condition, or degree	asks about method, health, quantity, or quality	How do you insert an IV?

Note: How is not spelled with a “wh,” but it is always included in the “Wh- family” for ESL/grammar purposes.

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Detailed Breakdown with Examples

1. Who (Subject – Person)

Used when the answer is the subject of the verb (performs the action).

Who is the attending physician? → Dr. Smith.

Who left the medication cart open? → The nursing student.

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2. Whom (Object – Person)

Used when the answer is the object of a verb or preposition (receives the action). More formal; often replaced by “who” in casual English, but TEAS may test it.

Whom did you page at 3 AM? → The charge nurse.

To whom should I give the lab report? → The lab technician.

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3. Whose (Possession)

Asks about ownership, relationship, or association.

Whose vital sign monitor is beeping? → Room 204’s.

Whose name is on this prescription? → Mrs. Johnson’s.

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4. Which (Limited Choice)

Asks for a selection from a known group or limited options.

Which vein is best for this IV? → The cephalic vein.

Which of these three medications is an antibiotic? → Amoxicillin.

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5. What (Unlimited / General)

Asks for open-ended information, definitions, or things.

What is your patient’s chief complaint? → Chest pain.

What does the abbreviation “PRN” mean? → As needed.

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6. Where (Place/Location)

Asks about position, direction, or origin.

Where is the code cart stored? → Hallway near room 12.

Where did you place the IV line? → In the forearm.

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7. When (Time)

Asks for a specific or approximate time.

When are you scheduled to administer insulin? → Before breakfast.

When did the patient’s fever start? → Last night.

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8. Why (Reason/Cause)

Asks for a reason, purpose, or explanation.

Why is the patient NPO? → For surgery tomorrow.

Why did the monitor alarm? → Due to low oxygen saturation.

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9. How (Manner, Condition, Quantity)

How has several sub-uses:

Phrase	Meaning	Example
How	in what way/method	How do you take blood pressure?
How many	number (countable)	How many patients are in isolation?
How much	amount (uncountable)	How much insulin did you give?
How often	frequency	How often do you check vitals?
How long	duration	How long does a shift last?
How old	age	How old is the patient?
How far	distance	How far is the ambulance bay?

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TEAS Strategy Points

Who vs. Whom

Replace with he/she (subjective) → use who

Replace with him/her (objective) → use whom

Who called? (He called) ✓

Whom you saw? (I saw him) ✓

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Which vs. What

Use which when options are limited or implied
(Which finger for pulse ox? – limited to 10 fingers)

Use what for open-ended
(What is your diagnosis?)

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Whose vs. Who’s

Whose is often confused with who’s (who is / who has) – TEAS may test this distinction.

Whose chart is missing? (possession) ✓

Who’s on call tonight? (who is) ✓

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Quick Practice for TEAS

Select the correct wh- word:

1. ___________ wrote the nursing notes?

A) Whom
B) Whose
C) Who
D) Which

Answer: C (Who) – subject performing action.

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2. ___________ patient has a latex allergy — Mr. Lee or Ms. Garcia?

A) What
B) Which
C) Whose
D) How

Answer: B (Which) – limited choice between two.

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3. ___________ do you suction a tracheostomy?

A) When
B) Why
C) How
D) Where

Answer: C (How) – asks about method/manner.

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4. To ___________ should the incident be reported?

A) who
B) whom
C) whose
D) which

Answer: B (whom) – object of preposition “to.”

 

Relative Clauses & Wh- Words (Questions 1–15)

1. Which sentence contains a defining relative clause?

A) My preceptor, who has 20 years of experience, taught me phlebotomy.
B) The nurse who works the night shift is sleeping now.
C) The hospital, which was built in 1990, needs renovation.
D) Dr. Evans, whom I admire, wrote a textbook.

Answer: B

Reason: “who works the night shift” identifies which nurse (essential). No commas. In A, C, D, the clauses are non-defining (extra info with commas).

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2. Choose the correctly punctuated non-defining relative clause.

A) The medication that you prescribed helped the patient.
B) The medication, that you prescribed, helped the patient.
C) The medication, which you prescribed, helped the patient.
D) The medication which you prescribed helped the patient.

Answer: C

Reason: Non-defining requires commas and uses “which” (not “that”). “That” cannot be used in non-defining clauses.

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3. “The patient ______ leg was fractured is in room 212.”

A) who
B) which
C) whose
D) whom

Answer: C

Reason: “Whose” shows possession (the patient’s leg).

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4. Which sentence is incorrect?

A) The surgeon who I met was very kind.
B) The surgeon whom I met was very kind.
C) The surgeon that I met was very kind.
D) The surgeon, whom I met, was very kind.

Answer: D

Reason: “whom I met” is a defining clause (identifies which surgeon), so commas are wrong. Without context, assuming multiple surgeons, no commas.

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5. “______ is the charge nurse today?”

A) Whom
B) Who
C) Whose
D) Which

Answer: B

Reason: “Who” asks for the subject performing the action (is = linking verb, subject complement).

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6. “To ______ should the lab results be faxed first?”

A) who
B) whose
C) whom
D) which

Answer: C

Reason: Object of the preposition “to” → objective case “whom.”

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7. Identify the sentence with a non-defining clause.

A) Students who fail the TEAS must retake it.
B) The book that you recommended is great.
C) My car, which is 10 years old, still runs well.
D) The nurse that cared for me was gentle.

Answer: C

Reason: “which is 10 years old” is extra info about “my car” (assuming one car). Commas present.

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8. “______ one of these three medications is an anticoagulant?”

A) What
B) Which
C) Whose
D) How

Answer: B

Reason: Limited choice from three known options → “which.”

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9. “______ do you check blood glucose levels?”

A) How often
B) How much
C) How many
D) How long

Answer: A

Reason: “How often” asks frequency. Context implies routine timing.

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10. “______ vital signs are abnormal — Mr. Lee’s or Ms. Chen’s?”

A) Who
B) Whom
C) Whose
D) What

Answer: C

Reason: “Whose” asks possession (vital signs belonging to which patient).

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11. Which relative pronoun is incorrect in a non-defining clause?

A) My brother, who lives in Chicago, is a doctor.
B) The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is famous.
C) My stethoscope, that I bought last year, is lost.
D) Dr. Smith, whom you met yesterday, will precept you.

Answer: C

Reason: “That” cannot be used in a non-defining clause (commas). Must be “which” or “who.”

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12. “The clipboard ______ has my notes is missing.”

A) , which
B) that
C) , that
D) who

Answer: B

Reason: Defining clause (which clipboard) → no comma, “that” or “which” (but TEAS accepts “that” for things). “which” without commas also fine.

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13. “______ is the normal range for adult respiratory rate?”

A) Which
B) What
C) Whose
D) Whom

Answer: B

Reason: Open-ended request for definition → “what.”

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14. Choose the correct sentence.

A) The nurse whom won the award is my friend.
B) The nurse who won the award is my friend.
C) The nurse whose won the award is my friend.
D) The nurse which won the award is my friend.

Answer: B

Reason: “Who” as subject of “won.” “Whom” is object. “Whose” shows possession. “Which” is for things.

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15. “The unit ______ I work is understaffed.”

A) where
B) which
C) when
D) why

Answer: A

Reason: “Where” refers to place (the unit). “Which I work on” would also work but “where” is more concise.

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Subject-Verb Agreement (Questions 16–22)

16. “Each of the nurses ______ responsible for checking the crash cart.”

A) are
B) is
C) were
D) have been

Answer: B

Reason: “Each” is singular → singular verb “is.”

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17. “Neither the doctor nor the nurses ______ available.”

A) is
B) are
C) was
D) has

Answer: B

Reason: With “neither/nor,” verb agrees with the closest subject (“nurses” = plural) → “are.”

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18. “The team of surgeons ______ every morning.”

A) rounds
B) round
C) have rounded
D) were rounding

Answer: A

Reason: Collective noun “team” acting as single unit → singular verb “rounds.”

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19. “There ______ several reasons for the delay.”

A) is
B) was
C) are
D) has

Answer: C

Reason: Subject “reasons” (plural) → plural verb “are.”

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20. “Either the patient or the family members ______ to sign the consent form.”

A) needs
B) need
C) has needed
D) is needing

Answer: B

Reason: Closest subject “members” (plural) → plural verb “need.”

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21. “Fifteen minutes ______ not enough for hand hygiene between patients.”

A) is
B) are
C) were
D) have been

Answer: A

Reason: A unit of time is considered singular → “is.”

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22. “The scissors ______ on the sterile field.”

A) is
B) was
C) are
D) has

Answer: C

Reason: “Scissors” is plural → “are.”

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Pronoun Case & Agreement (Questions 23–28)

23. “The preceptor asked you and ______ to assist with the procedure.”

A) I
B) me
C) myself
D) we

Answer: B

Reason: Object of verb “asked” → objective case “me” (you and me).

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24. “______ and the attending physician reviewed the chart.”

A) Me
B) Myself
C) I
D) Mine

Answer: C

Reason: Subject of verb “reviewed” → subjective case “I.”

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25. “The nursing student forgot ______ stethoscope in the break room.”

A) their
B) there
C) they’re
D) its

Answer: A

Reason: Singular “they” (gender-neutral) or traditional “his/her” – TEAS accepts “their” for singular indefinite. “Its” is for things.

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26. “Between you and ______, the patient’s prognosis is poor.”

A) I
B) me
C) we
D) us

Answer: B

Reason: Object of preposition “between” → objective “me.”

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27. “______ is the nurse manager’s decision.”

A) This here
B) That there
C) This
D) These

Answer: C

Reason: “This/that” alone are fine. “This here” and “that there” are nonstandard.

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28. “Each student must bring ______ own pen for the TEAS exam.”

A) his or her
B) their
C) its
D) our

Answer: A or B (TEAS accepts A as formal, B as acceptable)

Reason: “Each” is singular. Traditional: his/her. Modern: their (singular they).

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Modifiers & Parallelism (Questions 29–33)

29. Which sentence has a dangling modifier?

A) Walking to the parking lot, the keys fell from my pocket.
B) Walking to the parking lot, I dropped my keys.
C) After taking the medication, the patient felt better.
D) To pass the TEAS, you must study grammar.

Answer: A

Reason: “Walking to the parking lot” → subject unclear. Keys weren’t walking. Correct in B.

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30. Correct the parallelism:

“The nurse checked vitals, reviewed the chart, and was documenting the medication.”

A) and documenting the medication
B) and documented the medication
C) and was documenting medications
D) and had documented the medication

Answer: B

Reason: List should be past tense: checked, reviewed, documented.

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31. “The patient was ______ exhausted to speak.”

A) so
B) too
C) very
D) much

Answer: B

Reason: “Too + adjective + to” indicates excess preventing action.

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32. “She is the ______ of the two nurse practitioners.”

A) youngest
B) younger
C) most young
D) more younger

Answer: B

Reason: Comparing two → comparative “younger,” not superlative.

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33. “The pain was ______ than yesterday.”

A) worse
B) worst
C) more bad
D) baddest

Answer: A

Reason: Comparing two points in time → comparative “worse.”

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Punctuation (Questions 34–40)

34. Which sentence uses commas correctly?

A) The nurse who arrived late, was reprimanded.
B) The nurse, who arrived late, was reprimanded.
C) The nurse who arrived late was reprimanded.
D) The nurse, who arrived late was reprimanded.

Answer: C

Reason: Defining clause (which nurse → the late one) → no commas.

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35. “After the surgery ______ the patient will go to recovery.”

A) ,
B) ;
C) .
D) (no punctuation)

Answer: A

Reason: Introductory phrase (“After the surgery”) needs comma.

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36. “The following items are required: stethoscope ______ penlight ______ and ID badge.”

A) , ,
B) ; ;
C) . .
D) no punctuation

Answer: A

Reason: Commas between items in a list.

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37. “The lab results are critical ______ therefore ______ we must notify the doctor immediately.”

A) , / ,
B) ; / ,
C) . / ,
D) no punctuation

Answer: B

Reason: Semicolon before conjunctive adverb (“therefore”), comma after.

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38. “The patient’s BP is 140/90 ______ his HR is 88.”

A) ,
B) ;
C) .
D) and

Answer: B or D (B is best formal)

Reason: Two related independent clauses → semicolon. “And” also fine but no comma needed.

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39. “The doctor said ______ Your labs are normal. ______”

A) , / “
B) : / “
C) ” / “
D) ; / ‘

Answer: A

Reason: Comma before quote, opening quotation mark.

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40. “The medication’s name is ______ Acetaminophen.”

A) ,
B) ;
C) :
D) no punctuation

Answer: C

Reason: Colon introduces rename/explanation.

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Sentence Structure & Common Errors (Questions 41–50)

41. Identify the run-on sentence.

A) The patient was restless, so the nurse administered a sedative.
B) The patient was restless the nurse administered a sedative.
C) Because the patient was restless, the nurse administered a sedative.
D) The patient, who was restless, received a sedative.

Answer: B

Reason: Two independent clauses joined without punctuation or conjunction.

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42. Identify the sentence fragment.

A) After the nurse finished the assessment.
B) The nurse finished the assessment.
C) Finishing the assessment, the nurse left.
D) The assessment was finished by the nurse.

Answer: A

Reason: Subordinating conjunction “after” makes it dependent; no main clause.

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43. “The patient’s symptoms included: nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.” Is the colon correct?

A) Yes, because a list follows.
B) No, because a complete clause must precede the colon.
C) Yes, after “included” is fine.
D) No, use a semicolon instead.

Answer: B

Reason: “The patient’s symptoms included” is not a complete sentence.

Correct:
“The patient had three symptoms: nausea, vomiting, dizziness.”

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44. “If I would have known about the allergy, I would not have given the medication.” Correct?

A) Yes
B) No, change to “If I had known”
C) No, change to “If I knew”
D) No, add “then”

Answer: B

Reason: Past unreal conditional: “If I had known… I would not have given.”

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45. “The reason is because the patient is dehydrated.” Correct?

A) Yes
B) No, change to “The reason is that”
C) No, change to “Because”
D) Yes, colloquially fine

Answer: B

Reason: “Reason is because” is redundant.

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46. “The patient hasn’t ate anything all day.” Correct?

A) Yes
B) No, change to “hasn’t eaten”
C) No, change to “didn’t ate”
D) No, change to “hasn’t have eaten”

Answer: B

Reason: Present perfect needs past participle: “hasn’t eaten.”

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47. “Between the two patients, she is the most critical.” Correct?

A) Yes
B) No, change to “more critical”
C) No, change to “criticallest”
D) No, change to “most critical one”

Answer: B

Reason: Comparing two → “more critical.”

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48. “Each nurse must bring their own lunch.” TEAS accepts this?

A) Yes, “their” is singular they now.
B) No, must be “his or her.”
C) No, must be “its.”
D) Yes, always correct.

Answer: A (TEAS 7 accepts singular they in some contexts, but B is more traditional)

Reason: Official TEAS leans formal but increasingly accepts “their” for gender neutrality.

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49. “The patient was laying on the bed.” Correct?

A) Yes
B) No, change to “lying”
C) No, change to “laid”
D) No, change to “lain”

Answer: B

Reason: “Lying” = reclining. “Laying” = placing something down (requires object).

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50. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

A) The patient’s blood work suggest an infection.
B) The patient’s blood work suggests an infection.
C) The patients blood work suggests an infection.
D) The patients’ blood work suggest an infection.

Answer: B

Reason: Singular subject “work” → singular verb “suggests.” Apostrophe placement: “patient’s” (one patient).

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Summary Table for Quick Review

Error Type	Example (Wrong)	Correction
Defining vs. non-defining	My pen, that is blue, is lost.	My pen, which is blue, is lost.
Subject-verb agreement	Each students are ready.	Each student is ready.
Pronoun case	Between you and I	Between you and me
Dangling modifier	Walking home, the rain started.	Walking home, I noticed the rain.
Comparative error	Most better	Better
Run-on sentence	She studied she passed.	She studied, so she passed.