Relative clauses – Page 5

Defining and non-defining relative clauses

We learned in Exercise 2 that some relative clauses answer questions such as Who? and Which?

In the sentence My son who lives in Sydney is an engineer, “who lives in Sydney” tells us which son the speaker is talking about. We call these “defining relative clauses” because they define who or what we are talking about.

In the sentence My son, who lives in Sydney, is an engineer, we use commas (or short pauses in spoken language) to indicate that this clause is extra information which can be left out. We call these “non-defining relative clauses”.

Exercise 3: Let’s do some practice.

Combine the sentences below with relative clauses.
For some sentences, you may need to use conjunctions (i.e., and, or, but).
Write defining relative clauses or non-defining relative clauses when necessary.

Adolf Hitler was born in Austria. Hitler became chancellor of Germany. Hitler was responsible for the deaths of millions.

Adolf Hitler, who was born in Austria, became chancellor of Germany and was responsible for the deaths of millions.
We already know who Adolf Hitler was, so it is not necessary to use a defining relative clause.

2. You met my friend last month. He comes from England.

You met my friend who comes from England last month.
You met my friend that comes from England last month.

“That” can be used because this is a defining relative clause (it answers the question “Which friend?”

3. Mary is my neighbour. Her son was killed in an accident.

Mary is my neighbour whose son was killed in an accident. (“whose son was killed in an accident” is a defining relative clause answering the question “Which neighbour?”
Mary, whose son was killed in an accident, is my neighbour. (Non-defining relative clause)

4. The Pitjantjatjara are an indigenous group. The Pitjantjatjara come from Central Australia.

The Pitjantjatjara are an indigenous group who /that come from Central Australia

As this is a defining relative clause, “that” can also be used.

5. Sydney is the largest city in Australia. Sydney is a wonderful city.

Sydney, which is the largest city in Australia, is a wonderful city.
Sydney, which is a wonderful city, is the largest city in Australia.

As these clauses are non-defining, you cannot use “that” here.

Juana has one son. Join the following two sentences with relative clauses: Juana’s son was working as a doctor in Africa. He was injured in an accident.

Juana’s son, who was working as a doctor in Africa, was injured in an accident.
Juana’s son, who was injured in an accident, was working as a doctor in Africa.

We cannot use “that” here because “that” can only be used in defining relative clauses, not in extra information clauses.

Defining and non-defining relative clauses

Exercise 3: Let’s do some practice.

Exercise 4: Learning check