NON –DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES

FUNCTION

A NON –DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE gives us extra information about a noun.

We already know which person or thing we are referring to.

The relative clause could be removed from the sentence without affecting the basic meaning.

FORM

NON –DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES:
Are separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Can only come after the noun they refer to.	The Charleston museum, which is the oldest museum in the U.S., was built in 1773.
Can only use to refer to people, and which to refer to places and things. Can sometimes use where to refer to places.	Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, now acts in the theater. The college, which specializes in languages, is near New York City. Seattle, where my parents live, is a very beautiful place.

EXAMPLES

We always use a relative pronoun (who, which, whose or whom) to introduce a non-defining relative clause (In the examples, the relative clause is in bold, and the person or thing being referred to is underlined.)

• Clare, who I work with, is doing the London marathon this year.
• Not: Clare, I work with, is doing the London marathon this year.
• Doctors use the testing kit for regular screening for lung and stomach cancers, which account for 70% of cancers treated in the western world.
• Alice, who has worked in Brussels and London ever since leaving Edinburgh, will be starting a teaching course in the autumn.

Warning:

We don’t use that to introduce a non-defining relative clause:

ü  Allen, who scored three goals in the first game, was the only player to perform well.

Not: Allen, that scored three goals in the first game, was the only player to perform well.

EXERCISE 

Complete the sentences with whose, who, which, or where.

1.    Principio del formulario
2.   Dublin,  is the capital of Ireland, is my favourite city.
3.     Amelia,  mother is from Shanghai, speaks English and Chinese fluently.
4.    This smartphone,  I bought last week, takes great photos.
5.   Buckingham Palace,  the Queen of England lives, is in the centre of London.
6.   Ferraris,  are made in Italy, are very expensive.
7.   Russell Crowe, starred in Gladiator, was born in New Zealand.
8.  Emily,  brother is a singer, is in my English class.
9.   Mr Kemp,  teaches physics, is going to retire next year.