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 helps to identify which person or thing we are talking about. For example: 'The book that I borrowed was interesting.'

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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 understand the sentence. It is usually set off by commas. For 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. For 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 things or animals in relative clauses. For example: 'The car which is parked outside is mine.'

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

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The word 'that' can refer to people, things, or animals in defining relative clauses. For 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. For example: 'The girl whose bike was stolen is my friend.'

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How do you identify a defining relative clause in a sentence?

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A defining relative clause can be identified by checking if it provides essential information about the noun. If removing the clause changes the meaning of the sentence, it is defining.

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How do you identify a non-defining relative clause in a sentence?

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A non-defining relative clause can be identified by checking if it adds extra information that is not essential. It is usually set off by commas.

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Can a sentence have both defining and non-defining relative clauses?

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Yes, a sentence can have both types of clauses. For example: 'My sister, who is a doctor, lives in London. The hospital that she works at is very busy.'

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What punctuation is used with non-defining relative clauses?

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Non-defining relative clauses are set off by commas. For example: 'The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is a famous landmark.'