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.
|
|
Person |
Thing |
|
Subject |
..., who..., |
..., which..., |
|
Object |
... , who ... (...whom...) |
..., which... |
There are commas around non-defining relative clauses when written, and pause when spoken.
Example
Madam Fabiola, who has published many books, gave a speech at a conference.
(subject)
Ms. Sanchez, who I met last week, is our new teacher.
(object)
My favorite pet is the cat, which is one of the most independent animals. (subject)
My father bought me a watch, which I love a lot.
(object)
Prepositions
The new principal asked us to listen to her, she talked about new rules which I've never heardof.
Prepositions can come at the end of non-defining relatives clauses, but in a formal style they are usually put before the relative pronoun.
which
My best friend passed the course, which made us all happy.
Which refers to the whole of the preceding clause.
whose
The new neighbor, whose dog is white, has a nice car.
Whose can be used in both defining and non-defining relative clauses.
what
Have they told you what's making them
uncomfortable?
We have to do what we believe is better.
Instead of "the thing", we can use "what".
when and where
Can you tell us when you plan to become home?
That's the gym where I go.
That's the gym I go to.
"When" can be left out in defining relative clauses, "Where" cannot be left out unless we add a