Defining Relative Clauses
What is a defining relative clause?
A defining relative clause specifies which noun we are talking about and is essential to the sentence.
What is a non-defining relative clause?
A non-defining relative clause adds extra information about a noun, which is not essential to the sentence’s meaning.
What did you do with the money ____ your mother lent you?
What did you do with the money which/that your mother lent you?
A castle is a place ______ a king or queen lives.
A castle is a place where a king or queen lives.
I sent an email to my brother_______ lives in Australia.
I sent an email to my brother who / that lives in Australia.
Create a sentence with a defining relative clause about "the book you read last month."
The book that/which I read last month was thrilling.
Create a sentence with a non-defining relative clause about your best friend.
My best friend, who lives in New York, is visiting me next week.
She saw the boy __________ lives next door.
She saw the boy who/ that lives next door.
A ferry is a ship (carry people across the water).
A ferry is a ship which/that carries people across the water.
The nurse is in the office. The nurse treated my grandmother.
The nurse who / that treated my grandmother is in the office.
Do not choose this question.
Deduct 100 points
Why are commas used in non-defining relative clauses?
Commas indicate that the information is additional or extra information and not essential to the main meaning of the sentence.
A girl phoned. She didn’t leave a message.
The girl who phoned didn’t leave a message.
My sister lives in New York. She is a doctor.
My sister, who is a doctor, lives in New York.
The park ________ we used to play as children has been renovated.
The park where we used to play as children has been renovated.
Why don't we use commas in defining relative clauses?
Commas are not used because the information is essential to the meaning of the sentence and not 'extra information'
Why can't we use commas in defining relative clauses?
Commas are not used because the information is essential to the meaning of the sentence.
She worked for a man. The man used to be an athlete.
She worked for a man who / that used to be an athlete.
They called a lawyer ________ lived nearby.
They called a lawyer who / that lived nearby.
She worked for a man (the man used to be an athlete).
She worked for a man who/that used to be an athlete.
Explain how defining relative clauses affect the meaning of a sentence. (i.e. Why do we use defining relative clauses?)
They provide essential information to identify the subject or object being referred to.
Make a complex sentence that includes a non-defining relative clause.
William Shakespeare, who is considered the greatest playwright of all time, wrote numerous plays and sonnets.
A girl is talking to Tom. Do you know the girl?
Do you know the girl who is talking to Tom?
The train goes to Manchester. It leaves at midday.
The train which/that goes to Manchester leaves at midday.
A boy answered the phone. He told me you were at school.
The boy who/that answered the phone told me you were at school.