This document discusses defining and non-defining relative clauses. Defining relative clauses provide essential information about the subject and use that, who, or which. Non-defining clauses give extra information and use commas, with who or which but not that. Relative pronouns like when, where, and why can also be used. The relative pronoun can be omitted when it is not the subject of the relative clause.

1. Relative clauses

2. Defining relative clauses
• Defining relative clauses are those where the
information is essential to undertand the
sentence
• That is the boy who lives next door
• This is the house which we have bought
• In defining relative sentences we can also use
that instead of who and which

3. Non-defining relative clauses
Non-defining relative clauses give some extra information
which can be omitted.
• Peter, who is studying at university, lives next door
• My mother’s house, which is quite big, is in front of
mine
In non-defining relative clauses we have to use commas
and we can’t use that instead of who and which

4. Other relatives pronouns
We can also use when, where, why, .. To make
relative clause
• This is the reason why I haven´t come to class
• In 1991, when I was not still married, I lived in
a beautiful small flat
• That house, where I used to live when I was
young, is going to be renovated

5. Omission of relative pronouns
• When the relative pronoun is not the subject
of the clause it can be omitted
• That’s the (whom) I saw yesterday
• This is the man (who) I work with