Adjective Clauses (Non identifying)

​Identifying subject relative clause (adjective) – gives essential information about the noun it modifies

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Example: Solar energy is a type of energy that uses the sun as it’s source.

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Non identifying  subject relative clauses – provide additional, not essential information about the nouns they modify

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Example: Biodiesel fuel, which often comes from plants, is an economical source of energy

​Forming a nonidentifying subject relative clause

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• Similar to an identifying subject relative clause, the subject of a non identifying subject relative clause is the relative pronoun.

• The relative pronoun refers to the noun before it.

• Use comma’s before and after the non identifying subject relative clause. They indicate that the information is not essential to the meaning of the noun.

NOTE: use who for people and which for things

​Using a nonidentifying subject relative clause

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• Use a non identifying subject relative clause to give non essential information about a noun. These clauses are also called non restrictive.

• Nonidentifying subject relative clauses are more common in written work or formal speaking than informal speech.

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  ​Example:

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence an identifying subject relative clause or a non-identifying subject relative clause:

My sister who lives in Maine loves being outside.

• identifying subject relative clause

• non-identifying subject relative clause

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence an identifying subject relative clause or a non-identifying subject relative clause:

Someone who supports the environment recycles

• identifying subject relative clause

• non-identifying subject relative clause

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence an identifying subject relative clause or a non-identifying subject relative clause:

People power, which is a way to create energy, is popular.

• identifying subject relative clause

• non-identifying subject relative clause

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence an identifying subject relative clause or a non-identifying subject relative clause:

Hybrid cars that use less fuel are good for the environment.

• identifying subject relative clause

• non-identifying subject relative clause

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence an identifying subject relative clause or a non-identifying subject relative clause:

Hybrid cars, that use less fuel, are good for the environment.

• identifying subject relative clause

• non-identifying subject relative clause

Multiple Choice

Is the following sentence an identifying subject relative clause or a non-identifying subject relative clause:

Renewable energy, which releases fewer greenhouse gases, is becoming more popular.

• identifying subject relative clause

• non-identifying subject relative clause

​Read the news report on building affordable green homes in New Orleans.

Underline the relative clauses. Label them "I" for identifying clauses and "NI" for non-identifying clauses.​

​Compare your answers with a partner. Discuss your reasons for each of your answers.

For example, is the identifying clause, that you found, necessary to understand the sentence?

​Forming Non-Identifying Subject Relative Clauses

​Combine the facts and additional information about green architecture. Use non-identifying clauses:

Example:

​Fact: Green architecture is becoming more common.

Additional Information: Green architecture considers both design and the environment. ​

​Green architecture, which considers both design and the environment, is becoming more popular.

Open Ended

Combine the facts and additional information about green architecture. Use non-identifying clauses:

Fact: The Turning Torso building uses only renewable energy.

Additional Information: The Turning Torso building is located in Malmo, Sweden.

Open Ended

Combine the facts and additional information about green architecture. Use non-identifying clauses:

Fact: The Turning Torso building was inspired by a sculpture of a twisting human being.

Additional Information: The Turning Torso building is the tallest building in Sweden.

Open Ended

Combine the facts and additional information about green architecture. Use non-identifying clauses:

Fact: The Burj al-Taqa will be a wind- and solar-powered green skyscraper. Additional Information: The Burj al-Taqa will be in Dubai.

Open Ended

Combine the facts and additional information about green architecture. Use non-identifying clauses:

Fact: Eckhard Gerber has also designed a green building in Riyadh.

Additional Information: Eckhard Gerber designed the Burj al-Taqa.

​Subject Relative Clauses with Whose

Subject relative clauses that begin with the pronoun whose show possession.

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Example: In Sweden, there are train commuters whose body heat supplies energy for the building.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Forming Relative Clauses with whose

​The pronoun whose shows the possessive relationship between the noun before and after it:

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Example: They are scientists whose research has won awards.​

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​research belongs to the scientist

​Read the article about a human powered car.

Underline the relative clauses. Label them "I" for identifying clauses and "NI" for non-identifying clauses.​ Add commas where necessary.