Defining and Non-Defining Adjective Clauses

1. Section A

2. So far in this unit, we have studied adjective clauses
that we call defining. They help us identify the noun we
are describing. Without the adjective clause, the
meaning of the sentence would not be complete.
The ideas that the artist gave us are going to be very useful in the future.
(The ideas that the artist gave us = which ideas)
A gardener is a person who takes care of plants.
(A person who takes care of plants = definition of gardener)
DEFINING ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

3. Section B

4. Another type of adjective clause gives additional
information about the noun we are describing. We call
this type of adjective clause non-defining. We usually
use commas before and after non-defining clauses.
We introduce most non-defining adjective clauses with:
• which to refer back to things
• who to refer back to people.
The artist’s ideas, which rely more on imagination than logic, are
going to be useful in the future.
Let me introduce you to Tom Jordan, who is the best gardener I know.
NON-DEFINING ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

5. We can also use the object relative pronoun whom
(especially in writing) to refer back to people.
However, this usually sounds more formal.
The principal, whom I had met several times
before, sat across the table from me.

6. WARNING! In non-defining adjective clauses, we do not
usually omit relative pronouns or use the relative
pronoun that.
My parents, who came to this country 30 years
ago, had four children.
The cup, which I received from my grandmother
as a child, had a small crack.
(NOT: My parents, that came to…)
(NOT: The cup, I received from…)