Defining and non-defining relative clauses

​Defining, non-defining and reduced relative clauses C1 level

​Defining relative clauses

• They are clauses (phrases) that give us ESSENTIAL INFORMATION.

• At the beginning of a relative clause we use relative pronouns:

• WHICH - for things / objects

• WHO - for people

• WHEN - time

• ​ WHERE - for places

• THAT - instead of WHO / WHICH ​

• WHOM - for the object of a verb or preposition

• WHOSE - possession

​Non-defining relative clauses

• ​They are clauses (phrases) that give us EXTRA INFORMATION.

• We use COMMAS to separate the relative clause from the main sentence. ​

• At the beginning of a relative clause we use relative pronouns:

• WHICH - for things / objects

• WHO - for people

• WHEN - time

• ​ WHERE - for places

  We CANNOT USE THAT instead of WHICH / WHO

Reduced relative clauses: Who or Which

When the relative pronoun ("who," "which," "that") is followed by a form of "to be" and a present participle (verb+ing) or a past participle (verb in the third form), you can omit the relative pronoun and the verb "to be," leaving only the participle.
Full relative clause: "The man who is standing over there is my brother."

Reduced clause: "The man standing over there is my brother."

Full relative clause: "The book which was written by J.K. Rowling is very popular."

Reduced clause: "The book written by J.K. Rowling is very popular."

Reduced relative clauses: That

When the relative clause is followed by an infinitive verb:

Full relative clause: "She is the only one that is qualified to lead this project."

Reduced clause: "She is the only one qualified to lead this project.

Rule: When "that" is followed by an adjective or a noun phrase, you can omit "that" and "is," leaving just the adjective or noun.

Examples of Reduced Relative Clauses:

• Original: "The house which was built in the 19th century is now a museum."

• Reduced: "The house built in the 19th century is now a museum."

• Original: "The woman who is singing on stage is famous."

• Reduced: "The woman singing on stage is famous."

• Original: "The employees who work hard will be promoted."

• Reduced: "The employees working hard will be promoted."

When to Avoid Reducing:

• Ambiguity: If reducing the clause makes the sentence unclear or changes the meaning, it’s better to keep the full clause.

• Formality: In very formal writing, full relative clauses might be preferred for clarity and formality.

Multiple Choice

Nordahai Grieg school, where Hanne studies, has about 800 students

• defining relative clause

• non-defining relative clause

Multiple Choice

The guy that teaches physics loves video games

• defining relative clause

• non-defining relative clause

Multiple Choice

Jacob, who goes to the school, is very happy

• defining relative clause

• non-defining relative clause

Multiple Choice

The day when we first played Portal was exciting

• defining relative clause

• non-defining relative clause

Multiple Choice

The cook, who made the pasta, was Italian. We use for:

• things / objects

• people

• places

• time

Multiple Choice

Have you read the book which won the Booker Prize? We use which for:

• objects / things

• people

• places

• time

Multiple Choice

That is the shop where you can buy any fresh vegetables. We use where for:

• objects /things

• people

• places

• time

Multiple Select

He ate the food ............ his mom had cooked for him.

• WHICH

• WHO

• WHERE

• THAT

Multiple Choice

The novel, ………….took place between 1861 and 1865, was very good.

• THAT

• WHO

• WHICH

• WHERE

Multiple Choice

Do you still go to that pub........ we used to go as students?

• WHEN

• WHO

• WHERE

Multiple Choice

Tom wants to go to Milan .............. his girlfriend is working

• WHO

• WHICH

• WHERE

• WHEN

Fill in the Blanks

The student

project was the best received a scholarship

Fill in the Blanks

Professor Green,

has written several books on neuroscience, will be giving a lecture today

Fill in the Blanks

Paris,

I lived for two years, is an incredible city

Fill in the Blanks

The man who is sitting in the corner is a famous author.

The man

in the corner is a famous author.

Fill in the Blanks

The documents that were submitted by the lawyer were crucial to the case.

The documents

by the lawyer were crucial to the case.

Fill in the Blanks

The person who is responsible for the project will meet us tomorrow.

The person

for the project will meet us tomorrow.