Relative clauses

Defining relative clauses

• Defining relative clauses are those where the information is essential to undertand the sentence

• That is the boy who lives next door• This is the house which we have bought

• In defining relative sentences we can also use that instead of who and which

Non-defining relative clauses

Non-defining relative clauses give some extra information which can be omitted.

• Peter, who is studying at university, lives next door• My mother’s house, which is quite big, is in front of

mine

In non-defining relative clauses we have to use commas and we can’t use that instead of who and which

Other relatives pronouns

We can also use when, where, why, .. To make relative clause• This is the reason why I haven´t come to class• In 1991, when I was not still married, I lived in

a beautiful small flat• That house, where I used to live when I was

young, is going to be renovated

Omission of relative pronouns

• When the relative pronoun is not the subject of the clause it can be omitted

• That’s the (whom) I saw yesterday• This is the man (who) I work with