What is the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses give examples?

Defining relative clauses add essential information to a sentence and the clause cannot be omitted. Non-defining relative clauses add non-essential information to a sentence and can be left out of a sentence without changing it’s meaning.

How do you identify a defining clause?

A defining relative clause usually comes immediately after the noun it describes. We usually use a relative pronoun (e.g. who, that, which, whose and whom) to introduce a defining relative clause (In the examples, the relative clause is in bold, and the person or thing being referred to is underlined.):

What is a non-defining relative clause example?

Here are some more examples of a non-defining relative clause used in a sentence: My mum, who has been baking for years, made us cupcakes. I walk to school with my friend, whose house is next door to mine. My friend, whom I’ve known for years, came to my house today.

How do you know if its defining or non-defining?

A defining relative clause identifies who or what we are speaking about, whereas a non-defining relative clause just gives us more information about who or what we are speaking about. A defining relative clause is essential in a sentence because we need it in order to know who or what someone is describing.

How do you write a non-defining relative clause?

We always use a relative pronoun or adverb to start a non-defining relative clause: who, which, whose, when or where (but not that). We also use commas to separate the clause from the rest of the sentence.

What is 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.

How do you teach non-defining relative clauses?

Can we reduce non-defining relative clauses?

Non-restrictive (non-defining) relative clauses can be reduced in one way; subject pronouns with “be” verbs can be deleted.