RELATIVE CLAUSES

Defining and non-defining

Defining relative clauses
They give essential information about the word they precede (people, things, animals, places, time or possession).

Ex: He is the actor who plays the role of John Snow.

Relative Reference Example

Who / that People She is my sister. She is 2 years old.
She is my sister who/ that is 2 years old.
Which / that Things or animals This is the chapter. It lasts too much.
This is the chapter which/that lasts too much.
When / *that Time I met her that day. She got married then.
I met her the day when /*that she got married.
Where Place I went to a restaurant. In the restaurant the waiters sing.
I went to a restaurant where the waiters sing.
Whose Possession She is the queen. The queen’s brother was executed.
She is the queen whose brother was executed.

*After day, week or year we can say THAT as well : I met her the day that she got married

THAT is always INFORMAL

Non-defining relative clauses
They give extra information about the word they precede (people, things, animals, places, time or possession). We
can understand the sentence and the preceding word without the information added in the non-defining clause.
Ex: Kit Harington, who plays the role of Jon Snow, got marrried in summer.

Relative Reference Example

Who People Mary is having English lessons. She got an excellent in the exam.
Mary, who is having English lessons, got an excellent in the exam.
Which Things or animals I went to Ferran adria's restaurant. It is next to my house.
I went to Ferran Adria's restaurant, which is next to my house.
When Time My favourite season is summer. I go to the beach then.
My favourite season is summer, when I go to the beach.
Where Place I went to Lisa's house. Peter was studying there.
I went to a Lisa's house, where Peter was studying.
Whose Possession She is Elizabeth I. Her life was interesting.
She is Elizabeth I, whose life was interesting.
*the relative clause is between commas, there is no possibility of using that.
 Omissions
■ Defining Clauses
The relative pronoun who/that, which/ that and when /that can be omitted if it doesn’t work as the
subject of the relative sentence :
She is my sister who/ that is 2 years old. (Subject)
She is the girl (who) I met at the party (OD) «I » is the subject of the relative sentence.

■ Non- Defining Clauses

The relative pronouns can’t be omitted:
Beyonce, who is considered one of the best singers of the decade, is popular around the world.
Formal vs. Informal
■ In the defining clauses when there is a pronoun attached to the relative clause:
- FORMAL:
This is the school in which I studied.
She is the teacher to whom I talked.

- INFORMAL:
This is the school (which) I studied in.
She is the teacher (who) I talked to.