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.

1. Defining Relative Clauses: These clauses give essential information about the noun and are necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

2. 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.