Defining relative clauses

We use defining relative clauses to give essential information about someone or

something. We usually use a relative pronoun (e.g. who, that, which,
whose and whom) to introduce a defining relative clause

They’re the people who want to buy our house.

Here are some cells which have been affected.

In defining relative clauses we often use that instead of who, whom or which.

They’re the people that want to buy our house.

Here are some cells that have been affected.

In writing, we don’t use commas in defining relative clauses:

This is a man who takes his responsibilities seriously.

She’s the lady who lent me her phone. (who is the subject of the relative
clause, so we don’t need the personal pronoun she)

There are now only two schools in the area that actually teach Latin. (that is the
subject of the relative clause, so we don’t need the personal pronoun they)

We had a lovely meal at the place which Phil recommended. (which is the
object of the relative clause, so we don’t need the personal pronoun it)

Non-defining relative clauses

We use non-defining relative clauses to give extra information about the person
or thing. It is not necessary information. We always use a relative pronoun
(who, which, whose or whom) to introduce a non-defining relative clause

Clare, who I work with, is doing the London marathon this year.

Alice, who has worked in Brussels and London ever since leaving
Edinburgh, will be starting a teaching course in the autumn.

We don’t use that to introduce a non-defining relative clause:

Allen, who scored three goals in the first game, was the only player to
perform well.

In writing, we use commas around non-defining relative clauses:

 Etheridge, who is English-born with Irish parents, replaces Neil
Francis, whose injury forced him to withdraw last week.

Sometimes defining and non-defining relative clauses can look very similar but
have different meanings.

non-defining defining

His brother, who works at the His brother who works at the supermarket is a friend
supermarket, is a friend of mine. of mine.
He has only one brother, and that He has more than one brother. The one I’m talking
brother works at the supermarket. about works at the supermarket.

It’s hoped that we will raise £10,000

It’s hoped that we will raise £10,000 for local
for local charities, which help the
charities which help the homeless.
homeless.
The money is intended for local charities. Some of these
The money is intended for local
local charities help the homeless. There are other local
charities. All these local charities help
charities as well as these.
the homeless.

A defining relative clause which we

The soldier who had gold stripes on his can’t leave out; without this
uniform seemed to be the most important one. information we do not know which
soldier the speaker is referring to.

Non-defining relative clauses which

The tour party was weakened when Gordon
we can leave out:
Hamilton, who played in the World Cup team,
The tour party was weakened when
withdrew yesterday because of a back injury, which
Gordon Hamilton withdrew yesterday
kept him out of the Five Nations Championship.
because of a back injury.

We can use that instead of who, whom or which in defining relative clauses, but
not in non-defining relative clauses:

I think anyone who speaks in public is nervous beforehand.

I think anyone that speaks in public is nervous beforehand.

Her car, which was very old, broke down after just five miles.
1. I have three brothers.
My brother who lives in Sidney came to see me last month.
My brother, who lives in Sidney, came to see me last month.
2. I have one sister.
My sister who is 25 years old spent her holiday in France.
My sister, who is 25 years old, spent her holiday in France.
3. Bob's mum has lost her keys.
Bob's mum who is a musician has lost her car keys.
Bob's mum, who is a musician, has lost her car keys.
4. My friend Jane moved to Canada.
My friend Jane whose husband is Canadian moved to Canada last week.
My friend Jane, whose husband is Canadian, moved to Canada last week.
5. I am a shoe fanatic.
The shoes which I bought yesterday are very comfortable.
The shoes, which I bought yesterday, are very comfortable.
6. Mr Robinson is very famous.
Mr Robinson whom I met at the trade fair is a famous inventor.
Mr Robinson, whom I met at the trade fair, is a famous inventor.
7. Tamara has two cats. Both of them are black.
Tamara's two cats which can play outside are black.
Tamara's two cats, which can play outside, are black.
8. Kevin has four cats. Two of them are black.
Kevin's two cats which are black can play outside.
Kevin's two cats, which are black, can play outside.
9. We are on holiday. Yesterday we visited a church.
The church which we visited yesterday is very old.
The church, which we visited yesterday, is very old.
10. We are on holiday. Yesterday we visited a church.
St. Mary's Church which we visited yesterday is very old.
St. Mary's Church, which we visited yesterday, is very old.
 Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Combine the sentences using relative clauses. Note that all relative clauses
are non-defining.

1. Samuel Johnson was the son of a bookseller. Samuel Johnson was born in 1709.
Samuel Johnson ______________________________________
2. In 1728, he went to Oxford. He studied at Pembroke College in Oxford.
In 1728, he went _______________________________________
3. Johnson had to leave Oxford without a degree. He was too poor to pay the fees.
Johnson ___________________________________________
4. In 1737, Johnson moved to London. There he wrote poetry, essays and
biographies.
In 1737, Johnson ______________________________________
5. In 1746, Johnson started to write his dictionary. It took him nine years to complete.
In 1746, Johnson started ______________________
6. His home at that time was in 17 Gough Square in London. It is a museum now.
17 Gough Square _____________________________________
7. In this house, his wife died in 1752. Her name was Elizabeth Porter.
In this house _____________________________________________
8. In 1755, the work was published. It was called A Dictionary of the English
Language.
In 1755, the ___________________________________
9. Samuel Johnson died in 1784. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.
Samuel _______________________________________________
1.