This document summarizes the differences between defining and non-defining relative clauses in Spanish. Defining relative clauses identify a specific person or thing, using relative pronouns like "who", "which", or "that". Non-defining relative clauses provide additional information about someone or something already identified, and are set off by commas. Relative pronouns cannot be omitted in non-defining clauses.

1. (Oraciones de relativo)‏ Relative clauses

2. Defining Relative Clauses (Oraciones de relativo especificativas)‏

3. Defining Relative Clauses Las oraciones de relativo especificativas indican a quién o qué se refiere el hablante: Example She spoke to the man who painted the house “ who painted the house ” se refiere a un hombre específico, el que pintó la casa y no a otro.

4. I saw the woman who visited you He bought the bike which you like I saw the woman that visited you He bought the bike that you like Who  Para las personas Which  Para las cosas That  Se emplea en vez de “who” o “ which” (en estilo informal). Examples Relative pronouns (pronombres relativos)‏

5. I saw the woman who visited you (NO)‏ He bought the bike ( which ) you like (YES)‏ Where is the man who sold you the dog? (NO)‏ Is that the book ( that ) I lent you? (YES)‏ Who, which o that se pueden omitir si no son el sujeto del verbo: Examples Relative pronouns (pronombres relativos)‏

6. The film is about a man whose wife disappears Is that the town where you were born? I’ll never forget the day when they arrived Whose  Para indicar posesión (cuyo/cuya)‏ Where  Para referirse a un lugar When  Para referirse a un tiempo Examples Other relative pronouns /adverbs(otros pronombres o adverbios relativos)‏

7. The film is about a man whose wife disappears Is that the town where you were born? I’ll never forget the day ( that/when ) they arrived Whose y where no se pueden omitir. When se puede omitir y sustituir por that. Examples Other relative pronouns /adverbs(otros pronombres o adverbios relativos)‏

8. Non-Defining Relative Clauses (Oraciones de relativo explicativas)‏

9. Non-Defining Relative Clauses Las oraciones de relativo explicativas dan información adicional sobre una persona o cosa ya identificada. La proposición de relativo suele ir separada por una coma del resto de la oración. Example My mother, who lives in Madrid, is 65 years old “ who lives in Madrid ” da más información sobre el sujeto, pero no indica a qué mujer nos referimos.

10. I bought the magazine, which was fantastic Maria, who is Spanish, speaks good English Jane, who works in my office, is very nice Who  Para las personas Which  Para las cosas No se pueden omitir who ni which No se puede emplear that Examples Relative pronouns (pronombres relativos)‏

11. John, whose son is an actor, is my friend London, where I went last week, is near here I’m going to Rome in June, when the weather is warm Whose  Para indicar posesión (cuyo/cuya)‏ Where  Para referirse a un lugar When  Para referirse a un tiempo No se pueden omitir No se puede emplear that en vez de when Examples Other relative pronouns /adverbs(otros pronombres o adverbios relativos)‏

12. By IsC 2009 http://laotraclasedeingles.wordpress.com DEFINING AND NON DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES