1. Defining and Non- defining
Relative Clauses
2014

2. Introduction
Relative clauses add extra information to
a sentence by defining
a noun or to define or identify the person
or thing we are talking
about. Obviously, this is only necessary
if there is more than one
person or thing involved.
They are usually divided into two types:

3. The Relative Pronouns
The Relative Pronouns link the main clause
with the relative clause.
In the defining relative clauses we use:
WHO / THAT for people.
THAT for things.
WHERE for places.
WHOSE for possessions.

4. The Relative Pronouns
On the other hand in the non-defining
relative clauses we use:
WHO for people.
WHICH for things.
WHERE for places.
WHOSE for possessions.

5. The Relative Pronouns
It's important to mention that if the
relative pronoun is the object
of the verb in the relative clause,
we have to leave it out:
Have you sold the car that you drove ?
It's better to say:
Have you sold the car you drove?

6. The Relative Pronouns
When the pronoun is the
subject of the main clause
and also the object of the
relative clause, we don't have to repeat it:
The woman is a doctor. I met her.
Can be turn into:
The woman who I met her is a doctor.

7. The Defining Relative Clauses
In this kind of clause, the information is
essential to make sense of the main clause.
For example:
I like the woman who lives next door.
(If I don't say 'who lives next door',
then we don't know which woman I mean).

8. The Non-Defining Relative Clauses
In this kind of clause, the information is
not essential, that means the main clause
makes
sense without it.
For example:
I live in Arica, which has some fantastic
valleys.
(Everybody in this class knows Arica, so

9. The non-defining relative clauses
In this kind of clauses, the relative
clause is separated by commas
from the main clause:
Examples:
My best friend, who is very nice, lives in
Manchester.
Last week I bought a new computer, which I

10. The non-defining relative clauses
We also cannot leave out relative
pronouns in this kind
of clauses:
Examples:
I really love the new Chinese restaurant,
which we went to last night.
It can't be:

11. Let's Practice!

12. Are these relative clauses defining or non-defining?
1. London, which is the capital of England, is
one of the largest cities in the world.
2. This is the dress my mother has made for
me.
3. Queen Elizabeth II, who is 83, has been
the queen of England for 57 years now.
4. That's the dog that bit me.
5. Tom Cruise, who has starred a lot of films,
is a famous American actor.
6. The village where I grew up is very small.

13. Are these relative clauses defining or non-defining?
1. London, which is the capital of England, is
one of the largest cities in the world. NON-
DEFINING
2. This is the dress my mother has made for
me. DEFINING
3. Queen Elizabeth II, who is 83, has been
the queen of England for 57 years now.
NON-DEFINING
4. That's the dog that bit me. DEFINING
5. Tom Cruise, who has starred a lot of films,

14. Choose the right relative pronoun to complete these
sentences.
1. Jim, __________ I've known for years, is
my best friend.
2. My new coat, __________ I bought in New
York, is very warm and comfortable.
3. My boss, ___________ wife is French,
travels to Paris regularly.
4. He didn't even say "thank you",
__________ I found really rude.
5. Next summer I'm going to India,
_________ I've never been before.

15. Choose the right relative pronoun to complete these
sentences.
1. Jim, WHO I've known for years, is my best
friend.
2. My new coat, WHICH I bought in New
York, is very warm and comfortable.
3. My boss, WHOSE wife is French, travels
to Paris regularly.
4. He didn't even say "thank you", WHICH I
found really rude.
5. Next summer I'm going to India, WHERE
I've never been before.

16. Join these sentences using relative pronouns beginning with the
words given. Omit the pronoun if possible. add commas if
necessary.
1. My school is very big. It is in Madrid.
2. Robert Pattinson is an actor. He plays
Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga.
3. Robert Pattinson is a British actor. He plays
Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga.
4. I bought this cake yesterday. It tastes
delicious.
5. Michael is a policeman. His father is a
judge.
6. I bought a computer last month. It doesn't

17. Join these sentences using relative pronouns beginning with the
words given. Omit the pronoun if possible. add commas if
necessary.
1. My school, which is in Mdrid, is very big.
2. Robert Pattinson is the actor, who plays
Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga.
3. Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward Cullen
in the Twilight saga, is a British actor.
4. The cake that I bought yesterday tastes
delicious.
5. Michael, whose father is a judge, is a
policeman.
6. The computer I bought yesterday doesn't

18. Material created and
selected by
Danitza Lazcano Flores
Teacher of English
Master in Education
and
Educational counselor