Use:
Use non-defining relative clauses to give extra information about a noun in a sentence, or part of a sentence. The listener or reader does not need this information to understand the sentence.
Relative clauses can define the subject of the sentence:
Miranda, who used to go to the same university as me, is having a baby.
Miranda, who used to go to the same university as me, is having a baby.
Or the object of a sentence:
We went to a lovely restaurant, where we both had steak.
We went to a lovely restaurant, where we both had steak.
Or the sentence as a whole.
She gave me some money, which was very nice of her.
She gave me some money, which was very nice of her.
Form:
- Always put the relative clause as close as possible to the noun that you are describing.
- Use who to give information about a person, whose to introduce a possession, and which to give information about a thing. Do not use that.
- Use where to give information about a place ONLY if you introduce another subject after where. Otherwise, use which.
We met at Bristol University, where we both studied Biology.
We met at Bristol University, which is in the west of England.
We met at Bristol University, which is in the west of England.
- Who, which, where and whose cannot be omitted in defining relative clauses.
- As non-defining relative clauses are not necessary to understanding the sentence, they are always placed within commas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I think you should make it clear that non-defining relatives are not modifiers, but supplements, separate units of information, that do not combine with the antecedent to form as larger constituent. Unlike defining relatives, non-defining relatives are thus not dependent clauses.
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