Lesson 41: Unit 182 - Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses
This lesson looks at the difference between defining (DRC) and non-defining (NDRC) relative clauses, the correct use of who, which, whose and that, and when commas are used.
About this lesson
In this lesson you will learn the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses in English. You will understand how to use who, which, whose and that depending on the context, and why punctuation is key to the meaning of the sentence. You will see why 'that' is not appropriate in non-defining clauses and how the presence of a proper name or a unique referent automatically makes the clause non-defining. By practising the real exercises from the curriculum, you will master the correct construction of complex English sentences at B1 level.
40 minutes
What you'll learn
- Distinguish defining (DRC) from non-defining (NDRC) relative clauses
- Place commas correctly in sentences with relative clauses
- Use who, which, whose and that with the correct type of clause
- Understand why 'that' is not used in non-defining clauses
- Identify when a proper or unique noun requires an NDRC
- Join sentences with an appropriate relative clause
Lesson vocabulary
- defining relative clause (DRC) The woman who lives in apartment No. 34 has been arrested.
- non-defining relative clause (NDRC) Frank Zappa, who was one of the most creative artists in rock 'n roll, came from California.
- who My friend John, who went to the same school as me, has just written a best-selling novel.
- which There's the house which I'd like to buy.
- whose Olympia, whose name is taken from the Greek, is the capitol of Washington State.
- that Where are the plums that I put in the fridge?
- where Let's go to a country where the sun always shines.
- under which The elephant looked at the tree, under which she had often sat.
- about which Stratford-on-Avon, about which many people have written, is Shakespeare's birthplace.
- comma Mrs. Jackson, who is very intelligent, lives on the corner.
- additional information The fact that she is a dentist is additional information — it does not define who we are talking about.
- arrested The woman who lives in apartment No. 34 has been arrested.
- birthplace Stratford-on-Avon, about which many people have written, is Shakespeare's birthplace.
- best-selling novel My friend John, who went to the same school as me, has just written a best-selling novel.
- grandchildren John's mother, who lives in Scotland, has 6 grandchildren.
In other languages: Български