Decide whether or not the relative pronoun can be omitted in the following sentences. ANSWERS
1) This was the hotel that we stayed in for two weeks.
2) She showed me the emeralds which she had brought back from South Africa.
3) The smartphone that costs £200 is very good.
4) Mrs. Smith, who is very smart, lives on the fourth floor.
5) This is the car that John bought at an auction.
6) My colleague with whom I'm doing the project should be here as soon as possible.
7) That's the woman whose house has been broken into.
8) A doctor is a person who looks after people's health.
9) My new motorbike, which I paid a few thousand euros for, is not running well.
10) Where is the letter that arrived this morning?
Explanation
THE RELATIVE PRONOUN CAN BE OMITTED: RULE#1 only in defining relative clauses (without commas). RULE#2 If the relative pronoun is followed by a noun or pronoun!
The book (which) I read last week was fantastic. WHICH + I = RELATIVE PRONOUN + PRONOUN
The woman (who) the police arrested was found guilty of first-degree murder. WHO + THE POLICE = RELATIVE PRONOUN + NOUN
THE RELATIVE PRONOUN CANNOT BE OMITTED: RULE#1 in non-defining relative clauses (with commas).
Gina, whom I met in the shop, invited me for a cup of tea. CORRECT Gina, I met in the shop, invited me for a cup of tea.INCORRECT RULE#2 in defining relative clauses if the relative pronoun is followed by a verb!
I'm reading the Hunger Games which was written by Suzanne Collins. WHICH + WAS WRITTEN = RELATIVE PRONOUN + VERB RULE#3 after preposition + whom/which (at which, with whom, among whom etc.)
This is the house in which she was murdered. (FORMAL) IN WHICH cannot be omitted!