Relative clauses defining and non defining classes explain and with a simple test

 Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses

What is a Relative Clause?

A Relative Clause is a part of a sentence that gives more information about a noun. It begins with a relative pronoun such as who, whom, whose, which, that, where, or when.

There are two types of Relative Clauses:

1. Defining Relative Clause (Restrictive Relative Clause)

A Defining Relative Clause tells us exactly which person, thing, or place we are talking about. It gives essential information. Without it, the sentence is incomplete or unclear.

No commas are used.

Structure

Noun + Relative Pronoun + Relative Clause

Examples from the Lesson

The woman who taught him surfing had been bitten by a shark.

Nick has a small foot which helps him balance.

The special plastic device that his mother invented helped him hold a pen.

The article that he read inspired him.

The girl who looked at him was surprised.

2. Non-defining Relative Clause (Non-restrictive Relative Clause)

A Non-defining Relative Clause gives extra information about a person or thing that is already identified. The sentence still makes complete sense without this clause.

Commas (,) or dashes (—) are used.

Structure

Noun, + Relative Pronoun + Relative Clause, + Rest of the sentence

Examples from the Lesson

Nick, who was teased and bullied, had an electric wheelchair.

Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs, became a motivational speaker.

His mother, who was a nurse, blamed herself.

Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack, taught Nick surfing.

Nick, who later earned a degree in Financial Planning and Real Estate, inspired millions.

Common Relative Pronouns

Relative Pronoun

Used for

Example

who

people

The boy who won the prize is my friend.

whom

people (object)

The teacher whom we met was kind.

whose

possession

The boy whose book was lost is absent.

which

animals and things

The chair which is broken should be repaired.

that

people, animals and things

The story that inspired Nick was powerful.

where

places

This is the school where Nick studied.

when

time

I remember the day when he received the award.

Differences Between Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses

Defining Relative Clause

Non-defining Relative Clause

Gives essential information

Gives extra information

No commas

Uses commas

Cannot be removed

Can be removed

Identifies the noun

Adds information about the noun

Exercise

A. Combine the Following Sentences Using a Suitable Relative Clause

Instructions: Combine each pair of sentences into a single sentence using a suitable relative pronoun (who, which, that, whose, where, or when).

Nick was born without arms and legs. He never gave up. 

Nick has a small foot. It helps him balance. 

His mother was a nurse. She blamed herself for his disability. 

Nick read a newspaper article. It inspired him greatly. 

Bethany Hamilton taught Nick surfing. She had lost her arm in a shark attack. 

Nick attended a mainstream school. It gave him independence. 

Nick won the Australian Young Citizen of the Year Award. It recognized his bravery and perseverance. 

Nick met a girl at the traffic lights. She looked at him with curiosity. 

Nick travelled to many countries. They welcomed him as

 a motivational speaker. 

Nick has friends. They encouraged him during difficult times. 

Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses

Instructions:

1. Select the correct answer.
2. Click Submit Test after answering all questions.
3. Your score will be displayed instantly.

1. Which sentence contains a Defining Relative Clause?

Nick, who was born without arms and legs, inspires millions.
The boy who won the race is my cousin.
Bethany, who lost her arm, taught Nick surfing.
Australia, which is Nick's birthplace, is beautiful.

2. Which sentence contains a Non-defining Relative Clause?

The article that inspired Nick changed his life.
The school that Nick attended was excellent.
Nick, who became a motivational speaker, travelled the world.
The girl who smiled at Nick was kind.

3. Which relative pronoun is usually used for people?

which
who
where
when

4. Which relative pronoun refers to things?

whose
whom
which
who

5. Non-defining Relative Clauses are usually separated by

quotation marks
commas
brackets
semicolons

6. Choose the correct relative pronoun.

Nick has a small foot ______ helps him balance.

who
which
where
whom

7. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Nick who inspires millions travelled the world.
Nick, who inspires millions, travelled the world.
Nick who, inspires millions travelled the world.
Nick, who inspires millions travelled the world.

8. Which clause gives essential information?

Non-defining Relative Clause
Defining Relative Clause
Adverb Clause
Noun Clause

9. Which relative pronoun shows possession?

whose
who
which
where

10. "This is the school ______ Nick studied."

when
where
who
whose

11. Which sentence contains a Defining Relative Clause?

The teacher who explained the lesson was kind.
Mr. Rao, who teaches English, is absent today.
Hyderabad, which is the capital of Telangana, is developing fast.
Nick, who won an award, inspired everyone.

12. Which relative pronoun can refer to both people and things?

where
that
when
whose

13. Which sentence can lose the relative clause and still make sense?

The girl who won the prize is my sister.
Nick, who inspires millions, visited India.
The book that I bought is interesting.
The student who answered correctly got a prize.

14. Which sentence uses commas correctly?

The boy, who won the race is my cousin.
The boy who won the race, is my cousin.
Bethany, who taught Nick surfing, inspired him.
The article, that inspired Nick changed his life.

15. Which option best completes the sentence?

Nick met Bethany Hamilton, ______ taught him surfing.

who
which
where
when