Defining & Non-defining Relative clauses

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What is a defining relative clause?

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A defining relative clause provides essential information about the noun it modifies. It is necessary for understanding which specific person or thing is being referred to. Example: "The book that I borrowed was fascinating."

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What is a non-defining relative clause?

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A non-defining relative clause adds extra information about a noun but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. It is usually set off by commas. Example: "My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us."

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What is the function of the word 'who' in relative clauses?

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The word 'who' is used to refer to people in relative clauses. Example: "The teacher who taught me is retiring."

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What is the function of the word 'which' in relative clauses?

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The word 'which' is used to refer to animals and things in relative clauses. Example: "The car which I bought is red."

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What is the function of the word 'that' in relative clauses?

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The word 'that' can be used in defining relative clauses to refer to people, animals, or things. Example: "The movie that we watched was thrilling."

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What is the function of the word 'whose' in relative clauses?

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The word 'whose' is used to indicate possession in relative clauses. Example: "The girl whose bike was stolen is my friend."

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How do you punctuate non-defining relative clauses?

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Non-defining relative clauses are set off by commas. Example: "My sister, who is a doctor, lives in London."

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Can defining relative clauses be omitted?

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Yes, defining relative clauses can be omitted if the meaning is still clear. Example: "The book (that) I read was interesting."

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What is the difference between 'who' and 'whom'?

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'Who' is used as a subject, while 'whom' is used as an object in a sentence. Example: "Who is coming to dinner?" vs. "To whom should I address the letter?"

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What is an example of a sentence with both defining and non-defining relative clauses?

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Example: "The teacher who teaches math, who is very strict, gave us a lot of homework."