Full Answer
What is a non-defining clause?
Non-defining clauses also use relative pronouns, just as defining clauses do. The only difference is that you cannot use “that” with a non-defining clause, unlike defining clauses.
Can we use “which” in a non-defining relative clause?
In non-defining relative clauses, “ which ” is NEVER replaced by “ that ”. We never use the relative pronoun “ that ” in non-defining relative clauses. Mr Smith, who works with me, has invited me to a party.
What are the relative pronouns that introduce defining clauses?
The relative pronouns that introduce defining clauses, are: whose (relating to something/someone belonging to people); whom (relating to people). NOTE: Even if you remove non-defining relative clauses, the sentence would still be grammatically correct. The car, which is red, belongs to my daughter-in-law.
What are the different types of relative clauses?
There are two types of relative clauses— defining and nondefining. To review, relative clauses can contain a subject, verb, and a relative pronoun, though not all are needed. The relative pronouns are who, whose, when, where, which, and that.
Why do we use non-defining relative clauses?
We use non-defining relative clauses to give information, just like defining relative clauses do. However, information given by non-defining relative clauses do not help us describe something or somebody and they are not mandatory or necessary for the meaning of the main clause, so they can be omitted.
What is the non-defining relative clause in Julia's mother?
— “ Julia’s mother, who is a member of the Parent-Teacher Association, visited us yesterday.” = The non-defining relative clause that starts with who gives extra information about the subject of the sentence Julia’s mother.
What is a relative clause?
Relative clauses (defining and non-defining) give extra information about a person, a thing etc. {see Relative pronouns, A1 level}. Non-defining relative clauses give us information about a person or a thing, just like defining clauses.
Is removing non-defining relative clauses grammatically correct?
NOTE: Even if you remove non-defining relative clauses, the sentence would still be grammatically correct.
which
We use “ which ” for things or animals. It acts as the subject or object pronoun.
whose
We use “ whose ” for people or things. “ whose ” acts as a possessive pronoun. This means it defines who owns something or who is related to someone.
What is a non-essential clause?
This type of relative clause, also known as a non-essential clauses, gives more information than the defining clause about the subject mentioned. If a non-defining relative clause is removed from the sentence, some details may be removed but the meaning remains. Commas or parentheses separate these sentences. For example:
Why does the meaning change when the relative clause is removed?
In this case, the sentence meaning changes when the relative clause is removed because this clause condenses the principal idea of the entire sentence. However, the sentence is still grammatically correct. A defining relative clause can't be separated from the rest of the sentence. For example:
Does the clause always follow the subject?
Remember, the clause always follows the subject.
Why do we use 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 don’t need it to understand who or what is being referred to.
What is the subject of a relative pronoun?
The relative pronoun can define the subject or the object of the verb: They’re the people who/that bought our house. (The people bought our house. The people is the subject.) They’re the people who/that she met at Jon’s party. (She met the people. The people is the object.)
Can you leave out a relative clause?
The information in a defining relative clause is essential, so we can’t leave out the relative clause. The information in a non-defining relative clause is extra information which isn’t essential, so we can leave out the relative clause.
Can a relative clause look similar?
Sometimes defining and non-defining relative clauses can look very similar but have different meanings.
What is a non-defining clause?
Defining and non-defining clauses are both types of relative clauses – clauses that share some extra information about something. But apart from that the two types of clauses are a little different. Read on to find out what makes each unique!
What is the difference between defining and non-defining clauses?
The only difference is that you cannot use “that” with a non-defining clause, unlike defining clauses.
What is a relative clause?
Before we can identify the differences between defining and non-defining clauses, it’s helpful to understand what a relative clause actually is.
How to learn defining and non-defining clauses?
A good way to learn more about defining and non-defining clauses is by reading. So try to read as much as possible and see if you can spot the two types! Then try and write your own, by creating sentences with some extra information. See if you can separate the difference in meaning between the two types of clauses.
What is an example of a non-essential dimension?
For example: “The private yacht, which was rumoured to be the most expensive in the world, belonged to the mysterious couple.”.
Where is the extra clause in a sentence?
In both the examples above, you can see an extra clause in the middle of the sentence following the words “who” or “ whose” which contain additional information. They relate to a specific noun that has been pointed out uniquely identified: “my brother” or “the house”.
What is the point of adding an additional clause?
An important point to note is that without the additional clause, the sentence would not retain the same meaning.
What is the difference between defining and non-defining clauses?
There is a difference in meaning between defining and non-defining clauses that depends on the presence or absence of the comma. For example: They have two sons who are doctors. Defining clause; the meaning is that there are more sons in the family, e.g.: They have two sons who are doctors and one who is an architect.
Is there a single rule to cover all cases?
Although there is no one single rule to cover all the cases, the following summary may be helpful if you need to make a quick decision:
What is a non-defining clause?
Non-defining relative clauses (also known as non-restrictive, or parenthetical, clauses) provide some additional information that is not essential and may be omitted without affecting the contents of the sentence. All relative pronouns EXCEPT that can be used in non-defining clauses; however, the pronouns MAY NOT be omitted.
Can pronouns be omitted in non-defining clauses?
All relative pronouns EXCEPT that can be used in non-defining clauses; however, the pronouns MAY NOT be omitted. Non-defining clauses ARE separated by commas. The table below sums up the use of relative pronouns in non-defining clauses: Function in.
What is non defining in a sentence?
Non-defining: These give extra information, and could be left out of the sentence without changing the main message.
What is the relative clause in a sentence?
Defining. Non-defining. This is essential information. Without the relative clause, we would not know what the person did. 2. My brother, who lives in Boston, is an accountant. Defining.
Why is the clause "Paris is the city" important?
The clause is essential as it is needed to explain what happened in Paris i.e. the person grew up there. 'Paris is the city' does not make sense on it's own.
