Summary Comparison: Relative Clauses Part 3 (Defining and Non-defining)
Relative clauses are an essential part of English grammar. They help provide more information about a noun in a sentence. There are two types of relative clauses: defining relative clauses and non-defining relative clauses.
-
Defining Relative Clauses: These clauses give essential information about the noun and are necessary to the meaning of the sentence.
-
Non-defining Relative Clauses: These provide additional information that isn't essential to the main idea of the sentence.
We'll focus on the relative pronouns used to introduce these clauses, including who/that, whom/who/that, and which/that.
1. Defining Relative Clauses
Defining relative clauses are used to identify exactly which person or thing we are talking about. Without these clauses, the sentence would lose its meaning.
Who/That
The relative pronouns who and that are used to refer to people. Who is more formal, while that is more common in spoken English.
Example:
-
The man who called you is waiting outside.
-
The book that I borrowed was very interesting.
Explanation: In these sentences, the relative clauses identify or specify which man is being referred to (the one who called) and which book is being mentioned (the one I borrowed). Without these clauses, the sentences would not make sense.
Whom/Who/That
In more formal contexts, whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition, while who is typically used as the subject. That can replace both whom and who in defining clauses.
Example:
-
The woman whom you met yesterday is my cousin.
-
The man who spoke to me was very helpful.
-
The person that I spoke to was very nice.
Explanation: Whom is used when referring to the object of a verb or preposition, while who is used when the person is the subject. That can often replace both whom and who in informal or spoken English.
Which/That
Which and that are used for things or animals. In defining relative clauses, both which and that can be used interchangeably.
Example:
-
The car that I bought is very expensive.
-
The book which I read was fascinating.
Explanation: Which and that provide essential information about the noun they modify (the car and the book). Without these clauses, the meaning of the sentences would be unclear.
2. Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses add extra information but are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. These clauses are always set off by commas.
Who/That
In non-defining clauses, who is used for people, and that is generally not used.
Example:
-
My brother, who lives in New York, is coming to visit.
-
The book, which I borrowed from the library, was fantastic.
Explanation: The clauses provide additional information, but the main idea of the sentence is still clear without them. Who is used for people in non-defining clauses, and that is avoided.
3. Special Cases
Whom/Who/That
In non-defining relative clauses, whom is used for people in more formal contexts, while who is common in both formal and informal language.
Example:
-
Mr. Smith, whom I met last year, is an expert in his field.
-
The author, who wrote the famous novel, is giving a lecture tonight.
Explanation: Whom is used when it refers to the object of a verb or preposition in formal writing, whereas who is used in less formal contexts.
4. Summary of Relative Pronouns
-
Who: Refers to people (subject or object) in both defining and non-defining clauses.
-
That: Refers to people, things, or animals in defining clauses. It can replace who or which in these cases.
-
Whom: Used in more formal contexts, for people as the object of a verb or preposition.
-
Which: Refers to things or animals in both defining and non-defining clauses.
