Defining and non-defining relative clauses

ENGLISH 8

Defining and non-defining relative clauses

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Introduction

Defining and-non defining relative clauses

How to use them?

Video

Practice

INTRODUCTION

In English we often need to give more information about a person, place, thing or idea

To do this, we can use relative clauses, sentences that describe or give extra details about a noun.

They connect two ideas into one sentence and avoid repetition.

Defining and non-defining relative clauses

A) Defining relative clauses

They give essential information about the noun

Without this clause, the sentence would lose important meaning

No commas are used

EXAMPLE

The man who is wearing the blue jacket is my teacher.(We need the clause to know which man)

A) Defining relative clauses

Common relative pronouns

Who - PeopleWhich - things/animals That - people, things, animals (informal) Where - places Whose - possesion

B) Non-defining relative clauses

They give extra non essential information about the noun

If removed, the main meaning remains

Commas are used before and after the clause

EXAMPLE

My sister, who lives in Canada, is coming to visit.(Even without the clause, we know who my sister is)

B) non defining relative clauses

Common relative pronouns

Who, which, whose, where.(But not that in this case)

MORE EXAMPLES

Essential informationThe book that you gave me is amazing. The woman who lives next door is very friendly.

DEFINING

Extra informationParis, which is the capital of France, is beautiful. My car, which I bought last year, needs a new engine.

NON-DEFINING

how to use them?

Use a defining clause when your listener needs the information to understand which person/thing/place you mean.

Use a non-defining clause when your listener already knows who/what you are talking about and you just want to add details.

VIDEO

PRACTICE