Uses :
Uses We use relative clauses to provide extra information about a noun. This information can either define something (defining clause), or provide unnecessary, but interesting, added information (non-defining clause).
Slide 3:
Relative clauses can be introduced by:
a relative pronoun: who (whom), which, that, whose.
no relative pronoun: Ø
where, why and when instead of a relative pronoun
Defining relative clauses :
Defining relative clauses The information provided in a defining relative clause is crucial in understanding the meaning of the sentence.
Examples:
The woman who lives in apartment No. 34 has been arrested.The document that I need has 'important' written at the top.
The purpose of a defining relative clause is to clearly define who or what we are talking about. Without this information, it would be difficult to know who or what is meant.
Example: The house is being renovated.
In this case it is not necessarily clear which house is being renovated.
Non-defining relative clauses :
Non-defining relative clauses Non-defining relative clauses provide interesting additional information which is not essential to understanding the meaning of the sentence.
Example: Mrs. Jackson, who is very intelligent, lives on the corner.
Slide 6:
Correct punctuation is essential in non-defining relative clauses. If the non-defining relative clause occurs in the middle of a sentence, a comma is put before the relative pronoun and at the end of the clause. If the non-defining relative clause occurs at the end of a sentence, a comma is put before the relative pronoun.
NOTE: In defining relative clauses there are no commas.