Relative Clauses:-when to use commas

-reduced relative clauses

When to use commas in relative clausesNo Comma:• Students who cheat only harm themselves.• The baby that is wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece.• The candidate who had the least money lost the election.

With Comma:• Fred, who often cheats, is just harming himself.• My niece, who is wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room.• The Green party candidate, who had the least money, lost the election.

What’s the difference?

Try writing the sentences above without the clauses.

When to use commas in relative clausesNo Comma:• Students harm themselves.• The baby is my niece.• The candidate lost the election.

With Comma:• Fred is just harming himself.• My niece is playing in the living room.• The Green party candidate lost the election.

What’s the difference?

Essential Information vs. Non-Essential Information

When to use commas in relative clausesNo Comma:• Students who cheat harm themselves.• The baby that is wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece.• The candidate who had the least money lost the election.

With Comma:• Fred is just harming himself.• My niece is playing in the living room.• The Green party candidate lost the election.

What’s the difference?

Essential Information vs. Non-Essential Information

When to use commas in relative clausesNo Comma:• Students who cheat harm themselves.• The baby that is wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece.• The candidate who had the least money lost the election.

With Comma:• Fred, who often cheats, is just harming himself.• My niece, who is wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room.• The Green party candidate, who had the least money,  lost the election.

What’s the difference?

Essential Information vs. Non-Essential Information

Reduced Relative ClauseA. The man who is in the house likes to watch television all

day.B. The man in the house likes to watch television all day.

A. The man who is swimming in the lake is my father.B. The man swimming in the lake is my father.

A. The survey which was conducted by the government did not indicate true public opinion.

B. The survey conducted by the government did not indicate true public opinion.

A. This is the house that Jack built.B. This is the house Jack built.

1. they are followed by a prepositional phrase.

A. The man who is in the house likes to watch television all day.

B. The man in the house likes to watch television all day.

A. The books that are on the desk are mine.B. The books on the desk are mine.

2. the main verb in the relative clause is progressive.

A. The man who is swimming in the lake is my father.

B. The man swimming in the lake is my father.

A. The clothes that are lying on the floor belong to me.

B. The clothes lying on the floor belong to me.

3. the main verb in the relative clause is passive.

A. The survey which was conducted by the government did not indicate true public opinion.

B. The survey conducted by the government did not indicate true public opinion.

A. The food that was eaten by the mice was poisonous.

B. The food eaten by the mice was poisonous.

4. The relative pronoun can be deleted if there is a new subject and verb following it:

A. This is the house that Jack built.B. This is the house Jack built.

A. The person whom you see is my father.B. The person you see is my father.

A. This is the place where I live.B. This is the place I live.