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Defining Relative Clauses V Level

The document discusses defining and non-defining relative clauses. Defining relative clauses identify the person or thing being referred to and do not use commas. Non-defining relative clauses provide extra information between commas. That can be used in defining clauses but not in non-defining clauses, and who/which can be omitted after a subject and verb in defining clauses. The document provides examples and a practice exercise to choose the correct relative pronouns.

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Daniela Blagojevic
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158 views

Defining Relative Clauses V Level

The document discusses defining and non-defining relative clauses. Defining relative clauses identify the person or thing being referred to and do not use commas. Non-defining relative clauses provide extra information between commas. That can be used in defining clauses but not in non-defining clauses, and who/which can be omitted after a subject and verb in defining clauses. The document provides examples and a practice exercise to choose the correct relative pronouns.

Uploaded by

Daniela Blagojevic
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Defining relative clauses


Defining relative clauses carry essential information, because they identify which thing or person
we are talking about, and they are used without commas.

 This is the music which was used at the show. 


 Have they found the prisoner who escaped last week?

We can use that
In defining relative clauses we can use that instead of which or who.

 This is the music that was used at the show. 


 Have they found the prisoner that escaped last week?

When can we omit who/which/that?


Who/which/that, can be omitted if they are followed by subject + verb

 Can you pass me the box (which/that) I keep in the top drawer?


 You are not the man (who/that) I thought you were. 

 Non-defining relative clauses


Non-defining relative clauses are used between commas, and they add extra information which
is not necessary to know who or what we are talking about.

 This music, which I really like, was used at the show.


 My sister, who I truly admire, is coming for Thanksgiving.  
We cannot use that, and we cannot omit who/which
In non-defining relative clauses (between commas) we cannot use that, and we cannot
omit who/which.

 This music, that I really like, was used at the show. 


 My sister, I truly admire, is coming for Thanksgiving. 

Defining vs non-defining relative clauses


In a defining relative clause the information is essential to identify who or what we are talking about,
whereas in non-defining relative clauses we just add extra the information, which is not necessary.
Compare:

 My brother who lives in Cardiff is much older than me. (=I have more than one brother and
the relative clause helps identify which brother I am talking about)
 My brother, who lives in Cardiff, is much older than me. (=I have only one brother, so we
don’t need the relative clause to know who I am talking about

Choose the correct relative pronoun or adverb for the following defining and non-defining  relative
clauses.

This is the place ______ I saw him the last time.


a.where

b.which

c.that

That's the man ______ daughter has won the lottery.


a.which

b.who

c.whose

Do you know the musician ______ is playing the guitar. Choose TWO correct options
a.who

b.-

c.that

The painting, ______ was finished in 1850, is one of the most representative works of that time.
a.which

b.-

c.that

This is the person ______ I introduced you a few weeks ago. Choose TWO correct options

a.which

b.that

c.-

I can't find the shop ______ I bought my computer two years ago.

a.where
b.that
c.which
What's the book ______ we must read this term?
a.where
b.who
c.–
This is the girl ______ parents are getting divorced.

a.who
b.whose
c.whom
The final decision,  ______ not everybody is going to like, will be announced at the next meeting.

a.which
b.that
c.–
This phone is much better than the first phone ______ you showed me. Choose TWcorrectopions

a.whose
b.that
c.–

Fill in the gaps with who, which, whose, where, or when.

1Sony is building a robot __________can form an 'emotional connection' with humans.


2Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, __________ died in October at the age of 56, had a rare form of
pancreatic cancer.
3Can you give me back the book _________I lent you last year?
4Is that the man ___________house was destroyed by the hurricane?
5Do you remember the summer ________Jack came home by surprise.
6A love affair quickly developed between Gala and Dalí, _______ was about 10 years younger than
her.
7Why don't we book a room at the hotel _______we stayed last year?
8Is that the boy ________insulted you?
9William Colgate, _________ name is on toothpaste tubes all around the world, left home because
the family was very poor.
10He took us into his house and gave us food, ________ was really nice of him.

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