7.1: Introduction to Adjective Clauses/Defining and Non-Defining Adjective Clauses
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Adjective clauses are dependent clauses that describe nouns. Adjective clauses use relative pronouns to replace the noun they are describing. Some adjective clauses give necessary information to understand which noun they are describing. Other adjective clauses give extra information.
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns usually begin adjective clauses although there are some exceptions that will be covered later.
|
Relative Pronoun |
Reference |
Grammatical Function |
|
which |
specific things (non-human)-used with commas |
subject, object, or object of a preposition |
|
that |
general things or people-not used with commas |
subject or object |
|
who |
people |
subject |
|
whom |
people |
object or object of a preposition |
|
whose |
possessive pronouns or nouns (his, her, its, their) |
subject or object |
|
when |
time |
object |
|
where |
place |
object |
Table 15 Relative Pronouns
-For more information on this topic, watch this video: Relative Pronouns & Clauses-English Grammar Lesson
Defining and Non-Defining Clauses (aka Identifying and Non-Identifying or Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Clauses)
A defining clause is an adjective clause that provides important information to help the reader identify or understand the noun it is describing. It is important to understand defining clauses because they do not require commas. Non-defining clauses provide additional information about the referent noun. The reader can identify the noun without using the adjective clause.
Note: The relative pronoun "that" cannot be used in non-defining clauses
Defining Clause: The girl who/that is sitting in the front is new. (The adjective clause is necessary to identify the girl. Both relative pronouns that and who can be used here.)
Non-Defining Clause: Mariam, who is absent today, speaks K’iche. (The adjective clause is not necessary. It adds extra information about the girl. The relative pronoun that cannot be used here.)
If I asked you, “Do you know the girl?” You would probably respond, “Which girl?” My response to you would define or identify which girl I am referring to. This is the case in the first example above. Therefore, no commas are necessary. In the second example, there is a name, so it is likely you know the reference. Therefore, there are commas around the adjective clause. In the above examples, both adjective clauses are referring to a person, but what happens when the noun is non-human?
Defining Clause: The car that/which is in my driveway is my brother’s. (The adjective clause identifies which car you are referring to. Both relative pronouns that and which can be used here)
Non-Defining Clause: My car, which needs new tires, rides roughly. (You know which car the speaker is referring to-It is the one that belongs to me "my car." The relative pronoun that cannot be used here.)
In the first example, the noun (car) is general. It’s likely you are not sure which car I am referring to until I say, “that is in my driveway”. However, in the second example I say, “my car” and this is specific, so the relative pronoun “which” and commas are used.
For more information on this topic, watch these videos: Commas or No Commas? Defining vs. Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Exercise 7.1-Defining and Non-Defining Clauses
Read the sentences below. Highlight or underline the adjective clause and choose whether the adjective clause is defining or non-defining.
1. The United States, which has the highest incarceration rate in the world, is experiencing a crisis.
a. Defining b. Non-Defining
2. The country whose economy is collapsing has not responded to its citizens’ needs.
a. Defining b. Non-Defining
3. The radio station that plays soft rock has poor reception near the freeway.
a. Defining b. Non-Defining
4. My favorite radio station, which often plays Stevie Nicks, is available on Sirius XM.
a. Defining b. Non-Defining
5. The woman who smokes in her car works for an office that prohibits smoking on its property.
a. Defining b. Non-Defining
Page from High Intermediate Academic Grammar for ESL Students Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution revised for format and content.
Exercise 7.2Read each sentence. Highlight or underline the adjective clause. Then, add commas where necessary. Only use commas when the adjective clause is "non-defining." (It does not identify the subject. It just adds extra information about the subject.) 1. The new coronavirus which causes the disease COVID-19 has infected millions of people globally. 2. The disease was first detected in Wuhan which is a city in China where 11 million residents have been living isolated in quarantine for months. 3. The disease is spread by droplets which are sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 4. Infection can be transmitted if a person touches objects or surfaces that an infected person has coughed and sneezed on and then touches their mouth, nose, or face. 5. Many people who carry and spread the disease show few or no symptoms. 6. For people whose health is already impacted by heart disease, diabetes, or other underlying conditions, COVID-19 can be very deadly. "Exercise 7.2" is adapted from Coalescence Companion Handouts/Workbook licensed for use under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International Edited for local terminology |