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Relative Clauses: Defining and Non-Defining
A relative clause gives information about a noun. It is introduced by a relative pronoun (who, which, that, whose, whom) or a relative adverb (where, when, why).
Defining relative clauses
Essential information that identifies which person or thing we mean. Without the clause, the sentence is incomplete or unclear. No commas.
- "The woman who lives next door is a doctor." (Which woman? The one who lives next door.)
- "The book that I bought yesterday is fascinating."
- "The hotel where we stayed was excellent."
Rules:
- "Who" for people, "which" for things, "that" for both (in defining clauses only).
- The relative pronoun can be omitted when it is the object of the relative clause: "The film (that/which) I watched was boring." But NOT when it is the subject: "The man who called is my brother." (Cannot omit.)
Non-defining relative clauses
Extra information that is NOT essential. Removing the clause does not change which person/thing we mean. Always between commas.
- "My brother, who lives in London, is a lawyer." (I only have one brother; the clause adds information.)
- "The Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1889, is one of the most famous monuments in Paris."
Rules:
- "That" is NEVER used in non-defining clauses. Use "who" for people and "which" for things.
- The relative pronoun CANNOT be omitted in non-defining clauses.
Recuerda
The difference between defining and non-defining can change the meaning: "My students who passed the exam were happy." (Only those who passed = defining) vs. "My students, who passed the exam, were happy." (ALL of them passed = non-defining).
"Whose" and "whom"
- Whose (possession, for people and things): "The author whose book I read is Spanish." "The house whose roof was damaged has been repaired."
- Whom (object, formal, for people): "The person to whom I spoke was very helpful." In informal English, "who" replaces "whom": "The person who I spoke to..."
Ejercicios
1. Join the sentences using a relative clause (defining or non-defining):
a) That is the restaurant. We had dinner there last week.
b) Shakespeare wrote Hamlet. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon.
c) I know a girl. Her father is an astronaut.
d) The film was terrible. We saw it on Saturday.
e) London is the capital of the UK. It has a population of 9 million.
2. Add commas where necessary and explain your choice:
a) My sister who is a nurse works at the hospital.
b) The car which I bought last year has broken down.
c) Paris which is the capital of France is famous for its cuisine.
Test de autoevaluación
1. "That" can be used in:
a) Defining clauses only
b) Non-defining clauses only
c) Both types
d) Neither type
2. In which sentence can the relative pronoun be omitted?
a) The man who called is my boss.
b) The book which I read was great.
c) The woman who lives upstairs is French.
d) The dog that bit me was black.
3. "Whose" expresses:
a) Time
b) Place
c) Possession
d) Reason
4. Non-defining relative clauses:
a) Do not use commas
b) Can use "that"
c) Always use commas and cannot use "that"
d) Can omit the relative pronoun
5. "The city where I was born" - "where" can be replaced by:
a) which
b) in which
c) that
d) whose