Defining and non-defining relative clauses
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| Defining relative clauses |
Non-defining relative clauses |
These tell us which one of a group of things/people we are
talking about. The sentence doesn't usually make complete
sense if we remove the relative clause.
✓ That's the doctor who did Karen's operation. |
These simply give us more information about
someone/something. The sentence makes complete sense
if we remove the relative clause.
✓ Or Lake, who has been working here for over ten years, is a very experienced surgeon. |
We can use that instead of who/which/etc. This is
more informal.
✓ That's the doctor that did Karen's operation. |
We cannot use that instead of who/which/etc. |
We don't use a comma or commas.
✓ That's the doctor who did Karen's operation. |
We must use a comma or commas.
✓ Dr Lake, who is an experienced surgeon, is my uncle. |
| We can omit the relative pronoun if it is the object. |
We cannot omit the relative pronoun. |
✓ That's the doctor who she saw. (more formal)
✓ That's the doctor she saw. (less formal) |
✓ Dr Lake, who is my uncle, is 50 years old. |
When, where and why can be omitted.
✓ I'll never forget the day when I broke my arm.
✓ I'll never forget the day I broke my arm. |
We do not use why.
We cannot omit where and when.
✓ Harley Street, where she was born, is famous for its clinics. |
| We cannot put a number or a determiner such as some,
none, much and many before of which or of whom. |
We can put a number or a determiner such as some, none,
much and many before of which or of whom.
✓ I bought some drugs, some of which were expensive. |
