Relative Clauses (defining and non-defining clauses)

We use relative clauses to give additional information about something without starting
another sentence.
By combining sentences with a relative clause, your text becomes more fluent and you
can avoid repeating certain words.

Children who love chocolate are pretty common. These are the pens that have been
used lately.

Defining clauses

Defining clauses give us important information that tells us who or what we are talking
about.

The folder which has the most papers is the most important. The person that ran the
marathon is an avid runner.

1) Who/that
We can use who or that to talk about people. That is considered a bit more informal.

He is the man who washes my car. She’s the woman that delivers my mail.

2) Which/that
We use which or that to talk about things.

There was an accident on the road which caused some traffic. The food that we bought
last night was delicious!

3) When/ where
Used to talk about time and place

Swimming was so fun when I was a child Used to talk about a place.

That’s the palace where the Queen lives.

4)Whose
Used to refer to the person that something belongs to.

He’s the doctor whose clinic was on TV.

When we can omit the relative pronoun.

We can leave out who, which or that when it is followed by a subject. The nurse (that)
she had was very patient.
However, we can’t omit if it is followed by a verb.

The nurse that helped us was very patient.

Grammar Practice - Defining Clauses

Make one sentence from the two short ones. The sentence in italics should become the
relative clause. The relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause.

1) She worked for a man. The man used to be an athlete.

_______________________________________________________________

2) They called a lawyer. The lawyer lived nearby.

_______________________________________________________________

3) I sent an email to my brother. My brother lives in Australia.

_______________________________________________________________

4) Thecustomerlikedthewaitress.Thewaitresswasveryfriendly.
_______________________________________________________________

5) We broke the computer. The computer belonged to my father.

_______________________________________________________________

Non-defining Clauses

Non-defining clauses give us extra information about someone or something. It is not

relevant information in order to understand who or what we are talking about. With
these types of clauses we do not use that.

Here are some examples of non-defining clauses:

The cinema, which is the biggest one in the block, is showing my favourite movie. My
mother, who is sleeping, is going to cook dinner tonight.
My neighbor, whose daughter was my friend, came over to ask for some sugar.

Unlike defining clauses, commas are used in non-defining clauses. 1) Who

We use who to talk about people. It acts as a subject pronoun (personal pronoun that is
used as the subject of a verb).

My brother, who just started a new job, called me last night. My friend who gave me a
present, is coming over later today.

2) Which
Is used to talk about things
The apartment, which is small and old, is owned by neighbors. The bike which is red
and white, hit the lamp post yesterday.

3) Whose
It is used to refer to the person or thing that something belongs to.

My sister-in-law, whose garden is beautiful, has just left my home. My cousin’s

daughter, whose clothes are adorable, is 3 years old.

4) Whom
Used for people only. It acts as an object pronoun (pronouns that receive the action in a
sentence).

Mr. Pearson, whom I adore, has invited us to a party.

Which + preposition can be used to talk about places and times. Where and when

also be used (most common form).

The zoo, which we went to, was full of exotic animals.

The zoo, where we went, was full of exotic animals.
May, which my anniversary is celebrated in, is the perfect time to go on vacation. May,
when my anniversary is celebrated, is the perfect time to go on vacation.

However, where or when can’t be used when we use which without a preposition.

Noon, which is the time we have lunch, is always quiet.

Holy week, which is celebrated before Easter, is a Catholic holiday.

Grammar Practice – Non – defining clauses

Combine the sentences using non-defining relative pronouns.

1) Valencia is a great place. Valencia is east of Madrid.

______________________________________________________________________

2) Lucy is living in London now. Lucy got divorced last year.

______________________________________________________________________

3) Clare is a good teacher. I don't like Clare very much.

______________________________________________________________________

4) TheIrishpubisamazing.ImetmygirlfriendinTheIrishpub. (use WHERE)

______________________________________________________________________
5) Mysmartneighbourstinksofafter-shave.Mysmartneighbourisalawyer.
_____________________________________________________________________