Reduced relative clauses & whereby

Rules

• Rule 1: Active → -ing

  If the noun does the action, use -ing instead of *who/which + verb*: for actions in progress, general facts, or actions going on at that time. But a single, finished past action isn't reduced with -ing: the man who called yesterday.

  Pattern: noun + V-ing …

  Example: The man selling ice cream is very friendly.

  Example: People living by the sea love fish.

• Rule 2: Passive → V3

  If the action is done to the noun, only the V3 remains instead of *who/which + be + V3*. For an action being done right now, use being + V3.

  Pattern: noun + V3 … · noun + being + V3 …

  Example: The photos taken at the party are great.

  Example: The road being repaired is closed today.

• Rule 3: first / last / only + to + verb

  After the first, the last, the only, the next and superlatives, the relative clause is reduced to to + verb. For the passive, use to be + V3.

  Pattern: the first / only / best + noun + to + verb

  Example: Ela was the first student to finish the test.

  Example: He was the only one to be invited.

• Rule 4: Adjective phrases and whereby

  With *who/which + be + adjective*, only the adjective phrase stays: people interested in music, tickets available. whereby (= by which) explains a system, method or agreement in formal writing.

  Pattern: noun + adjective phrase · system / method / agreement + whereby + clause

  Example: Is there anyone able to help?

  Example: It's a program whereby older students tutor younger ones.

Common mistakes

• The man calling you yesterday was my dad. → The man who called you yesterday was my dad.

  A single, finished past action isn't reduced with -ing.

• The book writing by her is famous. → The book written by her is famous.

  The book was written (passive) → V3.

• She was the first arriving. → She was the first to arrive.

  After the first, use to + verb.