Relative clauses (Advanced level)

Post date: Mar 31, 2015 9:30:12 AM

Defining or non defining clauses

There are two types of relative clauses: defining and non-defining.

A defining clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence. For example:

• Kamprad is a man who worked hard to achieve his success

If we remove the relative clause from this sentence, we would learn nothing about Kamprad except that he is a man.

By contrast, a non-defining clause adds extra, non-essential, information:

• Kamprad, who earned his millions through the furniture chain IKEA, is still careful with money.

In this sentence, the fact that Kamprad earned his millions through a furniture chain is incidental, and could be omitted.

Who/which or that?

• We use the relative pronoun who for people and which for things.

• In defining clauses, that can be used instead of which or who.

• The relative pronouns who/which/that can be omitted in defining clauses when it is an object.

• We do not use the relative pronoun that in non-defining clauses.