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Defining vs non-defining - Grammar chart

Defining relative clauses

Defining relative clauses carry essential information because they identify which thing or person we are talking about, and they are used without commas.

We can use that

In defining relative clauses we can use that instead of which or who.

When can we omit who/which/that?

Who/which/that, can be omitted if they are followed by subject + verb

Non-defining relative clauses

Non-defining relative clauses are used between commas, and they add extra information which is not necessary to know who or what we are talking about.

We cannot use that, and we cannot omit who/which

In non-defining relative clauses (between commas) we cannot use that, and we cannot omit who/which.

Defining vs non-defining relative clauses

In a defining relative clause the information is essential to identify who or what we are talking about, whereas in non-defining relative clauses, we just add extra information, which is not necessary. Compare:

My brother, who lives in Cardiff , is much older than me. (=I have only one brother, so we don't need the relative clause to know who I am talking about)

Relative pronouns and adverbs

Here you can see a grammar chart with the relative pronouns and adverbs that we normally use in relative clauses.

Common mistakes

Two subjects

When who, which or that is the subject of a relative clause, we don't use another pronoun or noun after it, because we can only have one subject ( who, which or that).

That is the painting that was stolen from the gallery. (NOT: That is the painting that it was stolen from the gallery.)

That between commas

We cannot use the relative pronoun that in a non-defining relative clause (between commas)

The victim, who suffered a concussion, said he didn't remember the accident. (NOT, The victim, that suffered a concussion, said he didn't remember the accident.)

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Defining and non-defining relative clauses - Test-English

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Relative clauses – defining, non-defining. Relative pronouns and adverbs. Who, whose, which, that, where. English intermediate grammar exercises.

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Relative Clauses: The Grammar Gameshow Episode 11

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WHO vs WHOM 🤔| What's the difference? | Learn with examples

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We use relative clauses to describe or give extra information about something we have already mentioned. We often use relative pronouns (e.g. who, where, that, which, whose) to introduce relative clauses.
What are relative clauses and why do we use them?

A clause is a group of words containing a verb. Relative clauses are a way of giving more information about a person, thing, place, event, etc. We often use them to avoid repeating information.
The Uros people make fires. Their fires are used for cooking. = The Uros people make fires, which they use for cooking.
OK, so there the relative pronoun is 'which' and it refers back to 'the fires' and 'which they use for cooking' is the relative clause.

That's right, which is used for things (never for people). There are a lot of other relative pronouns: who (for people), that (for a thing or a person), where (for a place), whose (for possession) and when (for a time).

What are defining relative clauses?

They are clauses that you need in the sentence for it to make sense.
The people who live here have had the same kind of lifestyle for hundreds of years.
If I said 'The people have had the same kind of lifestyle for hundreds of years', you wouldn't know which people I was talking about.

There are no commas before and after the clause.

No, not with defining relative clauses.
The islanders pick the tall reeds that grow at the sides of the lake and use them to make the islands.
OK, so what about non-defining relative clauses?

We use those to give extra information, which isn't absolutely necessary. We use commas to separate them from the rest of the sentence, unless they come at the end of the sentence, when we use a comma and a full stop.
That grey thing, which you can see on the roof there, isn't very traditional.
The video's from yesterday,when she was on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca.
This is Sophie,whose blog you've been reading.
OK, got it, I think. Is there anything else that I need to know?

Ah, you just used a relative clause with that. We can use that instead of who or which in defining clauses, not non-defining clauses.

So this grammar snack, which has been very interesting, has taught me everything that I need to know about relative clauses.

OK, it's taught you nearly everything you need to know.

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Sophie decides to post videos on her world-famous travel blog.

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Relative / adjective clauses - grammar exercises. Relative clauses in English. Intermediate level esl exercises.

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Relative Clauses 2: The Grammar Gameshow Episode 12