A Missing Relative Pronoun | Mastering Grammar

(Last Updated: 12 June 2026)

Part 8

1. The relative pronoun which must be added to complete the non-defining relative clause ('which have been done 320,000 and 275,000 times respectively').

2. The present perfect tense ('have been done') should be used. The past simple tense ('were done') suggests that the two procedures are no longer carried out, which means they cannot be labelled as currently the most common forms of plastic surgery.

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Also by Spencer Lam

Part 1: Should We Say 'A Tiger', 'The Tiger', or 'Tigers'?
Part 2: 'Relax' or 'Relax Oneself'?
Part 3: 'Exchange Program' or 'Exchanging Program'?
Part 4: 'Yours sincerely' or 'Yours faithfully'?
Part 5: Should We Say 'Take Bus', 'Take the Bus', or 'Take a Bus'?
Part 6: 'I Afraid' or 'I Am Afraid'?
Part 7: 'Date Someone' or 'Date with Someone'?
Part 9: Are 'Basketball', 'Football', and 'Badminton' Countable or Uncountable?
Part 10: 'Every Time' or 'Every Time When'?
Part 11: Should 'Mum' Be Capitalised? (Read this post for an in-depth discussion of the topic.)
Part 12: 'Grammar' or 'Grammer'?
Part 13: 'List Something' or 'List Out Something'? (Read this post for an in-depth discussion of the topic.)
Part 14: 'Papers 1 and 2' or 'Paper 1 and 2'? (Read this post for an in-depth discussion of the topic.)
Part 15: 'All Students Don't Know' or 'None of the Students Knows'? (Read this post for an in-depth discussion of the topic.)
Part 16: 'Pass Out' or 'Pass Away'?

Other Real-World Examples of Missing Relative Pronouns

1. The verb originated cannot stand alone in this position without a relative pronoun to introduce the clause.
2. Originated in is more commonly used and sounds more natural when referring to the place where something began or was created.
3. The adjective hot is redundant because the term simmering inherently implies that the soup is hot.
(Source: Annabelle Mak, Sing Tao Daily)
(Also by the Same Tutor: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7)