Download to read offline
Defining or non- defining
- 1. Defining or non-definingrelative clauses? Sometimes defining and non-defining relative clauses can look very similar but have different meanings. Compare non-defining defining His brother, who works at the supermarket, is a friend of mine. He has only one brother, and that brother works at the supermarket. His brother who works at the supermarket is a friend of mine. He has more than one brother. The one I’m talking about works at the supermarket. It’s hoped that we will raise £10,000 for local charities, which help the homeless. The money is intended for local charities. All these local charities help the homeless. It’s hoped that we will raise £10,000 for local charities which help the homeless. The money is intended for local charities. Some of these local charities help the homeless. There are other local charities as well as these. Warning: The information in a defining relative clause is essential, so we can’t leave out the relative clause. The information in a non-defining relative clause is extra information which isn’t essential, so we can leave out the relative clause. The man who lives next to me has five motorbikes. In this sentence, ‘who lives to me’ is necessary. Without it, the sentence (‘The man has five motorbikes’) is meaningless because it is not clear which man is being talked about. Therefore, commas are NOT necessary. Tom, who lives next to me, has five motorbikes. In this sentence, ‘who lives to me’ is not necessary. Without it, the sentence (‘Tom has five motorbikes’) still has meaning. ‘Who lives next to me’ adds more information, therefore, commas ARE necessary. Common Mistakes Some Students do not put the non defining relative clause close to the noun it describes. The chemicals flow into rivers, which are toxic. => The chemicals, which are toxic, flow into rivers.