Providing Extra Information
Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses
Relative pronouns are used to connect two clauses in order to either define or provide additional information about a subject or an object.
who - persons
which - things
where - places
when - times
that - both persons and things
whose - possessive
Defining Relative Clauses
Defining relative clauses provide information which is essential to completely understand the sentence.
Example:
These are the grilled foods that were chosen for the cover.
He is the leisure and personal traveler who we used as our model.
That is the arena which was chosen by the caterer.
Defining relative clauses identify persons or things that otherwise would not be automatically understood.
Relative Pronouns in Defining Relative Clauses
| Person | Thing | Subject | who, that | which, that | Object | that, who, whom | that, which | Possessive | whose | whose, of which |
Non-defining Relative Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses provide information which is not essential, but adds additional information.
Example:
"The caterer, who loved cheese, was out of ice cream."
"Tom, who loves valet parking, was chosen as the regional manager."
"Shopping, which is a common hobby for housewives, is important to the economy."
Note:
Correct punctuation is essential in non-defining clauses. A comma is placed both before and after the non-defining clause.
Relative Pronouns in Non-Defining Relative Clauses
| Person | Thing | Subject | who | which | Object | who, whom | which | Possessive | whose | whose, of which |