[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"grammar-page-en-defining-non-defining-relative-clauses":3,"grammar-exercises-by-page-019ba3df-b04f-7684-9f23-1939e873ec29":25},{"id":4,"title":5,"slug":6,"content":7,"language":8,"level":9,"displayOrder":10,"grammarTopics":11,"createdAt":19,"updatedAt":20,"generatorCategories":21,"readyImages":23,"ogImageUrl":24},"019ba3df-b04f-7684-9f23-1939e873ec29","Defining & non-defining relative clauses","defining-non-defining-relative-clauses","## 1\\. What Is a Relative Clause?\n\nA relative clause:\n\n* gives **additional information** about a **noun**\n* usually begins with a **relative pronoun** (who, which, that, whose, where, when)\n* comes immediately after the noun it describes\n\nRelative clauses are divided into **defining** and **non-defining** clauses, and the choice between them affects meaning.\n\n## 2\\. Defining Relative Clauses \\(Essential Information\\)\n\nDefining relative clauses give **essential information**. They tell us *which* person or thing we are talking about. Without this information, the meaning of the sentence would be unclear or incomplete.\n\nKey features:\n\n* the information is necessary to identify the noun\n* **no commas** are used\n* **that** can be used instead of who or which\n* the relative pronoun can sometimes be omitted\n\nExamples:\n\n* “The student **who sits next to me** speaks four languages.”\n* “The book **that you recommended** was very useful.”\n* “I remember the moment **when we first met**.”\n* “The people **I spoke to** were very helpful.”\n\n## 3\\. Non\\-Defining Relative Clauses \\(Extra Information\\)\n\nNon-defining relative clauses give **additional, non-essential information**. The noun is already clear, and the clause simply adds extra detail.\n\nKey features:\n\n* the information is not essential\n* Non-defining clauses are **set off** from the main clause: usually with **commas**, or (in writing) with **dashes** or **parentheses** for a stronger aside.\n* **in non-defining relative clauses (with commas), *that* is not used (use *who\u002Fwhich* instead)**\n* the relative pronoun **cannot be omitted**\n* common in edited writing; also used in speech (often with pauses)\n\nExamples:\n\n* “My brother, **who lives in Canada**, is visiting next month.”\n* “The conference, **which was held online**, attracted thousands of participants.”\n* “Our teacher, **who has a PhD in linguistics**, published a new book.”\n* “The company, **whose headquarters are in Berlin**, is expanding rapidly.”\n\n## 4\\. Meaning Differences: Defining vs Non\\-Defining\n\nChoosing the wrong type of relative clause can change the meaning of a sentence.\n\nExamples:\n\n* “Students **who study regularly** perform better in exams.”\n    (Only some students — the clause defines which ones.)\n* “Students, **who study regularly**, perform better in exams.”\n    (All students are described as studying regularly.)\n* “My colleague **who works remotely** joined the meeting late.”\n    (I have more than one colleague.)\n* “My colleague, **who works remotely**, joined the meeting late.”\n    (I have only one colleague.)\n\n**No commas = essential information (identifies which one).**\n\n**Commas = extra information (does not identify which one).**\n\n## 5\\. Relative Pronouns: Correct Use\n\nCommon relative pronouns and their typical uses:\n\n* **who** → people (subject)\n* **whom** → people (object, formal)\n* In everyday speech, **whom** is often replaced by **who** when it is the **object**: “The person **whom** I contacted…” (formal) → “The person **who** I contacted…” (informal).\n* **which** → things and ideas\n* **that** → people or things (defining clauses only)\n* **whose** → possession (people and things)\n* **where** → places\n* **when** → time expressions\n\nIn defining clauses for things, both **that** and **which** are possible. In some styles (especially American English), **that** is more common. In non-defining clauses (with commas), use **which**, not **that**.\n\nExamples:\n\n* “The woman **who interviewed me** was very professional.”\n* “The person **whom I contacted** replied immediately.”\n* “The system **which controls access** needs updating.”\n* “The device **that controls the temperature** needs to be replaced.”\n* “The house **whose roof was damaged** has been repaired.”\n* “The city **where the conference took place** is known for its innovation.”\n* “The year **when the law changed** was controversial.”\n\n## 6\\. Omitting the Relative Pronoun \\(Defining Clauses Only\\)\n\nIn defining relative clauses, the relative pronoun can be omitted **when it is the object**, not the subject.\n\nObject (can omit):\n\n* “The man (who\u002Fthat) I met yesterday **was my old teacher**.”\n\nExamples:\n\n* “The film **Ø I watched last night** was disappointing.”\n* “The advice **Ø she gave me** helped a lot.”\n\nPronoun **cannot** be omitted:\n\n* when it is the subject\n* in non-defining clauses\n\nSubject (cannot omit):\n\n* “The man who\u002Fthat met me yesterday…”\n\nExamples:\n\n* “The teacher **who explains everything clearly** is very popular.”\n* “My aunt, **who lives abroad**, is coming to visit.”\n\n## 7\\. Punctuation and Intonation\n\n* Defining clauses:\n    * no commas\n    * spoken without pauses\n* Non-defining clauses:\n    * commas required\n    * spoken with pauses\n    * written as extra information set off by commas (or sometimes parentheses\u002Fdashes for a stronger aside)\n\nQuick check: if removing the clause changes **which person\u002Fthing** you mean, it’s **defining** (no commas). If the sentence still identifies the noun, it’s **non-defining** (use commas).\n\nIncorrect punctuation can change or confuse meaning.\n\n## 8\\. Key Takeaways\n\n* Relative clauses add information about a noun.\n* Defining relative clauses identify which person or thing is meant.\n* Non-defining relative clauses add extra, non-essential information.\n* Commas are essential in non-defining clauses.\n* **That** is used in **defining** relative clauses; it is **not used** in **non-defining** relative clauses **with commas** (use **who\u002Fwhich** instead).\n* Relative pronouns can only be omitted in defining clauses when they are objects.\n* Choosing the correct clause type improves clarity, accuracy, and tone.","en","B2",83,[12],{"id":13,"name":14,"level":9,"language":8,"isCompleted":15,"completionPercentage":16,"totalExercises":17,"completedExercises":16,"vocabularyLists":18},"019aef34-9d47-7036-8d09-67f8c681a5a5","Defining & Non-defining Relative Clauses",false,0,2,[],"2026-01-09T17:48:24+00:00","2026-07-14T17:37:42+00:00",[22],"grammar_exercise_questions_relative_clauses",[],"\u002Fuploads\u002Fimages\u002Fog_019ba3df-b04f-7684-9f23-1939e873ec29.jpg?v=1784050662",[26,33],{"@id":27,"@type":28,"id":29,"grammarPage":30,"title":31,"instructions":32,"displayOrder":16,"isCompleted":15},"\u002Fapi\u002Fgrammar_exercises\u002F019d4de4-8c62-785e-90b3-5f1db504a44b","GrammarExercise","019d4de4-8c62-785e-90b3-5f1db504a44b","\u002Fapi\u002Fgrammar_pages\u002F019ba3df-b04f-7684-9f23-1939e873ec29","Defining vs. Non-defining Relative Clauses - Food & Restaurants","This is a fill-in-the-blank exercise. Click on each blank and choose the correct answer from the dropdown. Decide whether to use defining or non-defining relative clauses to describe trips, destinations, and travel experiences.",{"@id":34,"@type":28,"id":35,"grammarPage":30,"title":36,"instructions":37,"displayOrder":38,"isCompleted":15},"\u002Fapi\u002Fgrammar_exercises\u002F019d4de4-8c63-7469-97c5-27ee3ad808cd","019d4de4-8c63-7469-97c5-27ee3ad808cd","Defining vs. Non-defining Relative Clauses - Travel Stories","This is a fill-in-the-blank exercise. Click on each blank and choose the correct answer from the dropdown. Use defining or non-defining relative clauses to include extra details about trips, destinations, and experiences.",1]