A clause of this kind is essential to clear understanding of the noun. Practice on the defining and nondefining relative clauses. The pronoun cannot be left out because it is the subject of the relative clause. Defining and nondefining relative clauses nondefining in this sentence. Mr brown, whom we studied english with, is a very nice teacher. Relative pronouns are used to join two or more clauses and in doing so, form what are known as relative clauses. My son, who makes models from clay, has won many prices. Relative clauses defining and nondefining test english. The relative clause is closed off by commas and is quite similar to information in brackets. The sentence in italics should become the relative clause. Defining vs nondefining there are two types of relative clauses, defining and nondefining.
Buckingham palace, the queen of england lives, is in the. Nondefining relative clauses defining relative clauses these describe the preceding noun in such a way to distinguish it from other nouns of the same class. Defining relative clauses 1 in pdf here defining relative clauses 2 in pdf here defining relative clauses 3 in pdf here defining relative clauses 4 in pdf here go to the main relative clauses explanation page here. That cannot be used and even though there is a pronoun in the relative clause which cannot be left out because in nondefining relative clauses the pronoun can never be left out. Defining and nondefining relative clauses worksheet.
Therefore, the first one is defining clause whereas the second one is nondefining clause. As the name suggests, nondefining relative clauses tell us more about someone or something, but the information in these clauses does not help us to define what we are talking about. Relative clauses worksheet relative clauses can help make a sentence clearer. Other relative clauses simply tell us more about a person or thing that is already identified. Nondefining relative clauses english grammar rules. Non defining relative clauses give additional information about people, things or places. We could miss out the relative and the meaning would still be clear. Relative clauses there are two types of relative clause. Defining relative clauses exercise 3 make one sentence by changing the sentence in italics into a defining relative clause. Before we can identify the differences between defining and nondefining clauses, its helpful to. To understand the distinctions between that and which it is necessary to understand defining restrictive and nondefining nonrestrictive clauses learning these distinctions is one technical aspect of grammar that every user of english should understand, because it is at the root of an assortment of grammatical errors. However, sometimes a relative clause is so important that the main sentence will be difficult to understand or have no meaning without it. Mr brown, whom we studied english with, is a very nice.
That cannot be used in nonidentifying relative clauses. The first page is basically just a grammar guide with clear explanations and example tenses and the second page has 3 exercises to go with it. A nondefining relative clause also called nonidentifying relative clauses or nonrestrictive relative clauses provide interesting additional information which is not essential to understanding the meaning of the sentence. Free printable pdf grammar worksheets, quizzes and games, from a to z, for eflesl teachers. Defining and nondefining relative clauses intermediate. If the nondefining relative clause occurs in the middle of the sentence, it must be preceded and followed by a comma. A defining relative clause gives us information necessary to understand the sentence.
A grammar notebook file on relative clauses with supporting worksheet in both pdf to be printed and word formats to be altered to suit your lesson and printed. Amelia, mother is from shanghai, speaks english and chinese fluently. Nondefining relative clauses are not used in spoken english. Answer key 1 fill in the gaps with a suitable relative pronoun. Relative pronouns relative pronouns are the words that introduce relative clauses. Defining relative clauses these describe the preceding noun in such a way as to distinguish it from other nouns of the same class. In the grammar chart below, you can see the main differences between them. This is a 2page worksheet for teaching defining and nondefining relative clauses. Combine the sentences using defining relative pronouns. We can use that in defining relative clauses we can use that instead of. It tells us more about someone or something, but do not define it. Nondefining relative pronouns exercise three things about nondefining relative clauses.
The relative pronoun cannot be omitted in a nondefining relative clause. The relative pronoun that can refer to both people and things. A collection of english esl worksheets for home learning, online practice, distance learning and english classes to teach about defining, and, non defining. Generally, there are two types of relative clauses. Relative clauses worksheet defining and non defining. Defining relative clauses are used to add important information. A nondefining relative clause gives us extra information without which we could still understand the main part of the sentence. Defining and nondefining relative clauses we use relative clauses to give additional information. Without the clause, we can still figure out who may the subject is. Nonrestrictive relative clauses are also called nondefining relative clauses in both restrictive and nonrestrictive relative clauses, the relative pronoun can act as the subject or object. You can use either a defining relative clause without commas or a nondefining relative clause with commas. I broke the plate which that was a wedding present.
Let us imagine two very different planets in the solar system. Nondefining relative clauses non defining clauses add extra information. But apart from that the two types of clauses are a little different. Nondefining relative clauses give us more nonessential information about a noun. They are also known as nonrestrictive relative clauses and they are particularly common in written english. Laminate the cards and give them to the children to reinforce the concept and as revision aids.
Free defining nondefining relative clauses worksheets you have reached the section devoted to defining and nondefining relative clauses which are some intimidating phrases so you might want to leave them out of your introduction and focus on the important stuff such as how to form and use them. Gorillas, which are large and originate in africa, can sometimes be found in zoos. Defining and nondefining relative clauses flashcards. A clause of this kind is essential to the clear understanding of the noun. Main clause relative clause that is the man whom who that nothing i saw. Grammar worksheets clauses defining relative clauses non defining relative clauses non defining relative clauses worksheet to know the main points of non defining relative clauses. Super grammar relative clauses spag teaching resources. Note that a nonidentifying relative clause can be easily removed from the sentence.
This smartphone, i bought last week, takes great photos. Trivia sentence building challenge give or brainstorm a list of things that trivia questions are often about, e. Relative pronouns and clauses in english grammar exercises. This use of the comma often distinguishes between defining and nondefining relative clauses. In the second sentence, the relative clause gives extra information about the subject. Heres a list of all the relative clause exercises on the site. Relative clauses in english exercises advanced level esl. Bbc learning english quiznet nondefining relative clauses. Free definingnondefining relative clauses worksheets. Defining and nondefining relative clauses test english. Children to add a relative clause after the underlined noun using words which, where, who, whose. But merely add something to it by giving some more information about it. They are not essential in the sentence and can be omitted without causing confusion.
When the relative pronoun is an object, it can be omitted e xcept with whose and where. Thank you for your letter, which i was very happy to get. The pronoun can never be omitted in a nondefining relative clause. Dublin, is the capital of ireland, is my favourite city. It can be used in a defining relative clause to define the noun it supports. We understand the subject, we know which lond slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Defining and nondefining relative clauses worksheet for. Restrictive relative clauses are also called defining relative clauses.
English esl defining and nondefining relative clauses. Nondefining relative clauses are placed after nouns which are definite already. Non defining relative clauses esl worksheet by peitieiros. Whats the difference between defining and nondefining.
Have they found the prisoner who escaped last week. Defining we went and had dinner at that restaurant that you sister recommended. A relative clause is an added part in a sentence that is used in relation to the main sentence. Defining and nondefining english grammar today a reference to written and spoken english grammar and usage cambridge dictionary. Students then combine the sentences using nondefining relative pronouns to complete the 10 exercises. A defining relative clauses give essential information to the person or thing we are talking about. Paul, who started singing at 15, is now very famous. In this sentence we are talking about all gorillas, not just some of them. Complete the sentences with whose, who, which, or where. Relative clauses add extra information to a sentence by defining a noun.
Defining and nondefining clauses are both types of relative clauses clauses that share some extra information about something. Defining relative clauses defining relative clauses carry essential information, because they identify which thing or person we are talking about, and they are used without commas this is the music which was used at the show. Use these prompts to write one sentences for each question. They are usually divided into two types defining relative clauses and nondefining relative clauses. The relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause. In grammars these are called restrictive, defining or identifying relative clauses. The moon, which goes around earth, is covered in rocks. Relative clauses defining and nondefining that, which.
The relative pronoun can be the subject or the object of the relative clause. Relative clauses worksheet defining and nondefining. They are seperated by commas in writing, and by a pause on either side. They are called nonrestrictive, nondefining or nonidentifying relative clauses. Defining relative clauses exercise 1 make one sentence from the two short ones. Free definingnon defining relative clauses worksheets you have reached the section devoted to defining and nondefining relative clauses which are some intimidating phrases so you might want to leave them out of your introduction and focus on the important stuff such as how to form and use them. We dont use that in non defining relative clauses but only who for people, which for things, whose possession, and where places.