Non-defining Relative Clauses

Overview

Non-defining relative clauses, also known as non-restrictive clauses, provide additional information about a noun. This information is considered supplementary and not essential for identifying the noun itself. If the clause is removed, the sentence’s main meaning remains intact.

Key Concepts

• Commas: Always set off by commas.
• Non-essential: Information can be removed.
• Pronouns: Typically introduced by ‘who’ (for people) or ‘which’ (for things). ‘That’ is not used.

Deep Dive

Unlike defining relative clauses, which are crucial for identifying the noun they modify, non-defining clauses offer extra details. For instance, in “My brother, who lives in London, is visiting next week,” the clause ‘who lives in London’ tells us more about the brother but isn’t needed to know which brother is visiting.

Applications

These clauses are common in formal writing and speech to add descriptive details. They enrich sentences by providing context or background information about a specific person, place, or thing already clearly identified.

Challenges & Misconceptions

A common mistake is omitting the commas, which turns the clause into a defining one. Another is using ‘that’ instead of ‘who’ or ‘which’ in non-defining clauses. Remember, commas are crucial.

FAQs

Q: When should I use a non-defining relative clause?
A: Use them when you want to add extra, non-essential information about a noun that is already clearly identified.

Q: Can I use ‘that’ in a non-defining clause?
A: No, ‘that’ is generally not used for non-defining relative clauses. Use ‘who’ for people and ‘which’ for things.

Q: How do I punctuate them?
A: Always enclose non-defining clauses in commas.