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Relative clauses
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Defining relative clauses are used to specify which person or
thing we mean. We don't put commas between the noun and a defining relative
clause.
Who or that are used for people. Which or that are used for things. |
I have a friend who speaks
five languages.
I have a friend that speaks five languages. |
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She showed me the coat which
she had bought.
She showed me the coat that she had bought. |
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Non-defining relative clauses (extra information clauses) are used to
add extra information to a sentence. We put commas between the noun and a
non-defining relative clause.
Who is used for people. Which is used for things. That cannot be used. |
The area, which has very high unemployment, is in the north of the country. |
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Relative clauses - common mistakes
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Common mistakes
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Correct version
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Why?
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The man who was sitting next to me
had a brown jacket.
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After a relative clause we do not
repeat the subject.
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The book that I bought was
by Edward Lear.
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Only that or which
are possible, not what.
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He lent me the book, which I
found very useful.
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A relative clause can have only
one direct object.
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The winner, who was 25,
will receive $12,000.
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That cannot be used in a non-defining (extra information)
clause.
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Our office, which I share with
my two colleagues, is about two kilometres from the city centre.
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A relative clause follows the noun
to which it refers.
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