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Defining vs Non-Defining Clauses

Defining relative clauses identify people, things, or places and are essential information. They can use who, that, which, whose, or where and sometimes omit the relative pronoun. Non-defining relative clauses provide additional, non-essential information set off by commas and always use who, which, whose, or where without omitting the relative pronoun.

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34 views1 page

Defining vs Non-Defining Clauses

Defining relative clauses identify people, things, or places and are essential information. They can use who, that, which, whose, or where and sometimes omit the relative pronoun. Non-defining relative clauses provide additional, non-essential information set off by commas and always use who, which, whose, or where without omitting the relative pronoun.

Uploaded by

Laura
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© All Rights Reserved
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Defining and non-defining relative clauses

Defining relative clauses introduce essential information to identify people, things or


places.

Example:
Is that the boy who/that lost his wallet? [Who/that for people]
The book which/ that I read is very interesting [which/ that for things]
That’s the university where I studied. [where for places]
That’s the lady whose daughter became famous [whose to express
possession]

When the relative pronoun who/ that/ which IS NOT the subject of the relative
clause, it can be omitted;
Example: The boy (who/that) I met in London is called John.
The film (which/ that) I saw yesterday was very long.

When who is the object of the sentence it becomes whom, but it’s usually omitted or
it is used only in very formal language ( To whom it may concern…)
Example: It was the same boy (whom) I met yesterday.

When there is a preposition in a relative clause, this usually goes at the end
of the sentence.
Example: That’s the waiter (who) I gave the money to.
This is the film (which) I was telling you about.
That’s the country where he comes from.

Non-defining relative clauses give additional information about people,


things or places. It’s usually between commas. We don’t use that in non-
defining relative clauses but only who (for people), which (for things),
whose (possession), and where (places).
Example: Paul, who started singing at 15, is now very famous.
John’s guitar, which he bought in the sixties, is now worth a lot of money.
London, where I lived 20 years ago, has now got a different skyline.
Jane, whose father is English, can speak Engliosh very well.

In these sentences the relative pronoun CAN NEVER BE OMITTED.

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