IFLS - Defining and non-defining relative clauses 3A

Defining relative clauses give ...

• extra information about a noun

• necessary information about a noun

• unnecessary information about a noun

• the action

Non-defining relative clauses give ...

• extra information about a noun

• necessary information about a noun

• unnecessary information about a noun

• the action

Non-defining relative clauses are set between ...

• question marks

• verbs

• relative pronouns

• commas

Non-defining relative clauses cannot use the relative pronoun ...

• who

• that

• which

• whose

This relative pronoun is used to talk about people

• who

• that

• which

• whose

This relative pronoun is used exclusively to talk about objects, animals, concepts or things in general.

• who

• that

• which

• whose

This relative pronoun is used to talk about both people and objects, animals, concepts or things in general.

• who

• that

• which

• whose

This relative pronoun is used to talk about places

• what

• where

• which

• whose

This relative pronoun is used to signal possession.

• what

• where

• which

• whose

A defining relative clauses is necessary so ...

• the sentence makes sense.

• the sentence is long.

• the sentence is useful.

• the sentence is interesting.