People who live in urban areas often have better access to public services.
居住在城市地区的人通常能更容易获得公共服务。
Researchers whose findings challenge traditional views often attract public attention.
其研究发现挑战传统观点的研究人员常常会引起公众关注。
修饰事物或观点：使用 which 和 that
当先行词是物、概念、政策、趋势或现象时，which 和 that 都可以用于限定性定语从句；which 也可引导非限定性定语从句，用来补充说明整个名词或前面整个句子的内容。that 不能用于非限定性定语从句。
The technology that enables remote learning has transformed modern education.
使远程学习成为可能的技术已经改变了现代教育。
The government increased funding for public transport, which helped reduce air pollution.
政府增加了公共交通资金投入，这有助于减少空气污染。
表示地点、时间和原因：使用 where, when, why
where 用于修饰地点，when 用于修饰时间，why 用于修饰 reason。需要注意的是，where 不等于中文里的“在……方面”，它必须和地点或抽象地点有关，如 situation, case, environment 等。
Universities should create an environment where students can develop critical thinking skills.
大学应该创造一种学生能够培养批判性思维能力的环境。
There was a period when online education was regarded as less effective.
曾有一段时期，在线教育被认为效果较差。
非限定性定语从句：补充背景信息
非限定性定语从句用逗号隔开，提供额外信息，删除后主句意思仍然完整。它在学术写作中非常有用，因为可以自然加入背景、评价或结果。但不能用 that 引导。
Renewable energy, which produces fewer greenhouse gases, is becoming increasingly important.
可再生能源产生的温室气体更少，因此正变得越来越重要。
Dr. Smith, who conducted the survey, argued that sample size affected the results.
进行这项调查的 Smith 博士认为，样本量影响了结果。
关系代词省略：提高表达自然度
当 who, whom, which, that 在限定性定语从句中作宾语时，通常可以省略；但作主语时不能省略。PTE 口语中适当使用省略结构可以使表达更自然，但写作中要确保句子结构清楚。
The solution the committee proposed was both practical and cost-effective.
委员会提出的解决方案既实用又具有成本效益。
The evidence the researchers collected supports the original hypothesis.
研究人员收集的证据支持最初的假设。
介词加关系代词：正式学术表达
在正式写作中，可以使用 preposition + whom / which，例如 in which, to whom, from which。这类结构比把介词放在句末更正式，常见于 IELTS Writing Task 2 和 PTE Write Essay。
The extent to which technology influences employment remains widely debated.
技术在多大程度上影响就业仍然存在广泛争议。
The conditions under which children learn can significantly affect their academic performance.
儿童学习所处的条件会显著影响他们的学业表现。
常见错误
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
❌ The people who they live in big cities face more pressure.
Correct
✅ The people who live in big cities face more pressure.
关系代词 who 已经在定语从句中作主语，不能再加入 they。中文学习者常受中文“住在大城市的人他们……”影响而重复主语。
Incorrect
❌ The policy which was introduced last year has improved public transport.
Correct
✅ The policy that was introduced last year has improved public transport. / The policy which was introduced last year has improved public transport.
限定性定语从句中 which 和 that 都可以修饰物。这个句子本身不一定错误，但如果是限定性信息，通常不加逗号。错误常出现在考生误以为 which 一定要加逗号，或 that 一定比 which 正式。
Incorrect
❌ The policy, that was introduced last year, has improved public transport.
Correct
✅ The policy, which was introduced last year, has improved public transport.
非限定性定语从句不能用 that，只能用 which 或 who 等关系词，并且需要逗号隔开。
Incorrect
❌ This is a problem where many students find difficult.
Correct
✅ This is a problem that many students find difficult.
where 表示地点或抽象地点，不能直接代替 that / which 作 find 的宾语。这里从句中缺少 find 的宾语，因此应使用 that 或 which，且可省略。
Incorrect
❌ The reason why he failed was because he did not prepare enough.
Correct
✅ The reason why he failed was that he did not prepare enough.
The reason why... was that... 是更规范的结构。because 已经表示原因，与 reason 搭配时容易造成结构重复，在正式写作中应避免。
Incorrect
❌ Students which study abroad may develop independence.
Correct
✅ Students who study abroad may develop independence.
先行词 students 指人，应使用 who 或 that，不能用 which。which 用于事物、动物或整个句子。
Incorrect
❌ The data shows that students who spends more time reading achieve higher scores.
Correct
✅ The data show that students who spend more time reading achieve higher scores.
定语从句中的动词要和从句主语一致。students 是复数，因此用 spend。学术英语中 data 常作复数处理，用 show。
Incorrect
❌ I visited the university where my friend recommended.
Correct
✅ I visited the university that my friend recommended.
recommend 是及物动词，需要宾语。the university 在从句中作 recommended 的宾语，所以应使用 that / which 或省略关系代词，而不是 where。
学术表达
Academic Patterns
The extent to which + 主语 + 谓语 + remains controversial.
……在多大程度上……仍然存在争议。
This is a factor that contributes to + 名词.
这是导致……的一个因素。
Individuals who are exposed to + 名词 + are more likely to + 动词原形.
接触……的人更有可能……。
The conditions under which + 主语 + 谓语 + can affect + 名词.
……所处的条件会影响……。
A society where + 主语 + 谓语 + is likely to + 动词原形.
一个……的社会可能会……。
The evidence that + 主语 + 谓语 + suggests that + 从句.
……的证据表明……。
Policies that aim to + 动词原形 + should be carefully evaluated.
旨在……的政策应被仔细评估。
The findings, which are consistent with previous research, indicate that + 从句.
这些发现与以往研究一致，表明……。
PTE 高频应用
PTE Usage
定语从句在 PTE Academic 中出现频率很高，尤其体现在 Summarize Written Text, Write Essay, Re-tell Lecture, Repeat Sentence 和 Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks 中。考生需要识别复杂句中的主干信息，判断关系词在从句中的功能，并在写作中使用定语从句提升 grammatical range。PTE 的自动评分系统重视语法准确性、句子结构完整性和表达连贯性，因此定语从句使用错误可能影响 grammar 和 written discourse 分数。在口语任务中，适当使用简单且准确的定语从句可以增加表达层次，但不应为了复杂而牺牲流利度和发音清晰度。
Summarize Written Text
Write Essay
Re-tell Lecture
Repeat Sentence
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks
Reading: Re-order Paragraphs
Listening: Fill in the Blanks
高频搭配
Common Collocations
people who live in urban areas
居住在城市地区的人
students who lack academic support
缺乏学术支持的学生
factors that influence decision-making
影响决策的因素
policies that address social inequality
解决社会不平等问题的政策
evidence that supports the argument
支持该论点的证据
an environment where creativity can flourish
创造力能够蓬勃发展的环境
a period when economic growth slowed
经济增长放缓的时期
the reason why this issue matters
这个问题重要的原因
the extent to which education affects income
教育影响收入的程度
the way in which information is presented
信息呈现的方式
AI 学习建议
AI Learning Tips
先判断先行词是人、物、地点、时间还是原因，再选择关系词；不要直接按中文“的”来机械翻译。
写作中如果定语从句信息是必要的，不加逗号；如果只是补充说明，要用逗号，并避免使用 that。
检查定语从句内部是否缺主语、宾语或所有格：缺主语可用 who / which / that，缺宾语可用 whom / which / that 或省略，表示所属用 whose。
PTE 写作中不必堆砌过长定语从句；一个准确的定语从句通常比多个错误复杂句更能提高语法分数。
听力和阅读中遇到定语从句时，先找主句主干，再把从句视为修饰信息，这有助于快速理解句意。
AI 练习题
Practice Questions
选择正确关系词：Students ___ submit assignments on time are more likely to achieve high grades.
答案：who / that。完整句：Students who submit assignments on time are more likely to achieve high grades. 解释：先行词 students 指人，关系词在从句中作主语。
改正错误：The technology, that improves communication, is widely used in education.
答案：The technology, which improves communication, is widely used in education. 解释：逗号引导的是非限定性定语从句，不能使用 that。
合并句子：The report was published yesterday. It provides detailed information about climate change.
答案：The report that was published yesterday provides detailed information about climate change. 或 The report, which was published yesterday, provides detailed information about climate change. 区别：第一句把发布时间作为必要限定信息；第二句把发布时间作为补充信息。
选择正确形式：This is the university ___ I studied environmental science.
答案：where。完整句：This is the university where I studied environmental science. 解释：先行词 university 表示地点，从句中不缺宾语，而是缺地点状语。
改正错误：The reason why many people prefer online shopping is because it is convenient.
答案：The reason why many people prefer online shopping is that it is convenient. 解释：The reason why... is that... 是正式且准确的结构。
将句子改为更正式的学术表达：The method which researchers rely on is not always reliable.
答案：The method on which researchers rely is not always reliable. 解释：preposition + which 是更正式的结构，适合学术写作。
判断是否可以省略关系词：The book that I borrowed from the library is useful.
答案：可以省略。The book I borrowed from the library is useful. 解释：that 在定语从句中作 borrowed 的宾语，因此可以省略。
判断是否可以省略关系词：The book that explains academic writing is useful.
