Defining and nondefining relative clauses intermediate. 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. Before giving this quiz to your students, practice adjective clauses with your students. Practice on the defining and nondefining relative clauses. This music, which i really like, was used at the show. There are defining and nondefining relative sentences.
Defining relative clauses add essential information to the sentence. Study the situations and then decide whether the following relative clauses are defining or nondefining. Non defining relative clauses are composed of a relative pronoun, a verb, and optional other elements such as the subject or object of the verb. A nondefining relative clause gives us extra information without which we could still understand the main part of the sentence. This smartphone, i bought last week, takes great photos.
The relative pronoun can be the subject or the object of the relative clause. Relative pronouns and clauses in english grammar exercises. Non defining relative pronouns exercise three things about non defining relative clauses. We can use that in defining relative clauses we can use that instead of. Non defining relative clauses defining relative clauses these describe the preceding noun in such a way to distinguish it from other nouns of the same class. School of english defining and nondefining relative clauses exercise school of english oficines centrals. My brother, who lives in sidney, came to see me last month. Non restrictive relative clauses are also called non defining relative clauses. Defining relative clauses we use defining relative clauses to specify which person, thing or place we are talking about. 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. Exercise answers join the following pairs of sentences. Defining relative pronouns exercise people that who whom owners whose things that which places where when the relative pronoun is an object, it can be omitted except with whose and where.
That cannot be used and even though there is a pronoun in the relative clause which cannot be left out because in non defining relative clauses the pronoun can never be left out. Combine sentences and rewrite in defining and nondefining clauses. The relative clause is closed off by commas and is quite similar to information in brackets. In grammars, they are called nondefining or nonrestrictive relative clauses. He put on the suit which he wore for special occasions. Defining and nondefinining relative clauses exercises pdf. So it acts as a conjunction and a pronoun at the same time. Here the relative clause who lives next doors tells us which woman we are talking about. Relative clauses relative pronouns mixed relative pronouns 1 level. You may distribute these two text sheets to two groups. Grammar worksheet defining and nondefining relative clauses nondefining relative clauses defining relative clauses use use we use defining relative.
They are seperated by commas in writing, and by a pause on either side. Heres a list of all the relative clause exercises on the site. It isnt essential for understanding who or what we are talking about. Complete the sentences with relative pronouns or relative adverbs. In defining clauses, we can omit the relative pronoun in the position of object. Wellington, who defeated napoleon at the battle of waterloo, was a great general.
Review the rules on relative clauses and youll be able to do this as well. Defining relative clauses these describe the preceding noun in such a way as to distinguish it from other nouns of the same class. Relative clauses defining and nondefining that, which. Defining and nondefining relative clause exercicios. It is very easy to identify a relative clause as it always starts with a relative pronoun such as who, whose, that, which, when, etc. Turn the underlined sentence into a relative clause. You can also use it to comment on the whole situation described in a main clause.
Nondefining relative clauses give us extra information about someone or something. The boy who whom that you dont like much wants to talk to you. In both restrictive and non restrictive relative clauses, the relative pronoun can act as the subject or object. But merely add something to it by giving some more information about it. Albert einstein, who put forward the theory of relativity, is considered by many as the most intelligent person in human history. 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. Amelia, mother is from shanghai, speaks english and chinese fluently. Fill in the following sentences with the appropriate relative pronoun. London, which is the capital of england, is one of the largest cities in the world. Object pronouns can be dropped in defining relative clauses, which are then called contact clauses. Have they found the prisoner who escaped last week.
I broke the plate which that was a wedding present. Sarah, who doesnt care about her future, is irresponsible. Exercise 1 fill in the correct relative pronoun who which. I hope this will help your students understand this grammar subject better. Defining relative clauses exercise 3 make one sentence by changing the sentence in italics into a defining relative clause. Defining and nondefining relative clauses we use relative clauses to give additional information. Relative clauses there are two types of relative clause.
In the sentence the dragon who breathed blue fire has retired, who breathed blue fire is a relative clause. Defining and nondefining relative clauses who, whom, whose, which, that. Restrictive relative clauses are also called defining relative clauses. Learn more about these constructions by watching the video. Relative clauses in english exercises advanced level esl. If you remove a defining relative clause, the sentence has a different meaning or is incomplete.
This power point explains the differences between defining and nondefining relative clauses with the help of wellchosen examples. Relative clausesrelative pronouns mixed relative pronouns 1 level. A relative pronoun is a word like that or which or who, so a relative clause is a clause that begins with a relative pronoun. A clause of this kind is essential to clear understanding of the noun. English esl relative clauses worksheets most downloaded. Home grammar quizzes relative clauses quiz 1 print exercises and lessons. B non defining relative clauses give additional information, but the information cant help us to identify the person of thing we are talking about. My sister, who i truly admire, is coming for thanksgiving. Relative clauses practice adjective clauses exercise adverbial clauses exercise relative pronouns exercise 1 relative pronouns exercise 2.
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. Some relative clauses merely provide additional information. Relative clauses worksheets english worksheets land. Test your knowledge of relative pronouns with this grammar test. My brother who lives in sidney came to see me last month. Relative clauses are a type of subordinate clauses, used to provide explanation or information related to the accident, event or idea discussed previously. Mr brown, whom we studied english with, is a very nice teacher. Esl english relative clauses quiz 5 mixed relative. 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. In this sentence we are talking about all gorillas, not just some of them. Advanced choose the correct response to complete each relative clauses. Pdf defining and nondefining relative clauses nondefining. A defining relative clause gives us information necessary to understand the sentence. Relative clauses add additional information about a noun in a sentence.
Dec 19, 2009 practice on the defining and non defining relative clauses. She showed me a photograph of her son, who is a policeman. Reducing relative clauses is difficult to understand. The pronoun can never be omitted in a nondefining relative clause. Bbc learning english quiznet nondefining relative clauses. Thank you for your letter, which i was very happy to get. If you remove a non defining relative clause, the sentence still has the same meaning. Relative clauses nondefining relative clauses grammar. Diagonal 26, 1r 1a 0006 arcelona edifici indsor, entre ia augusta i rambla catalunya seu 1 via ugusta 6 s. You use a nondefining or nonrestrictive relative clause to supply additional information about the noun, whose identity or reference is already established. It can be used in a defining relative clause to define the noun it supports. 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. May 02, 20 restrictive relative clauses are also called defining relative clauses. However, sometimes a relative clause is so important that the main sentence will be difficult to understand or have no meaning without it.
Gorillas, which are large and originate in africa, can sometimes be found in zoos. 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. Generally, there are two types of relative clauses. A relative clause is an added part in a sentence that is used in relation to the main sentence. 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.
Exercise school of english defining and nondefining. The new stadium, which holds 90,000 people, will be opened next month. The apple which george lay on the table was put back into the basket. Study the situations and then decide whether the following relative clauses are defining or non defining. Buckingham palace, the queen of england lives, is in the. In nondefining sentences you neither omit the relative pronoun nor use that. Should we use a defining relative clause or a nondefining relative clause. You use a defining or restrictive relative clause to identify or restrict the reference of a noun. Complete the sentences with whose, who, which, or where. If we take the clause out of the sentence, the sentence still has the same meaning.
You can see if a relative clause is defining or non defining by removing it from the sentence. Non defining relative clauses are not used in spoken english. Nondefining relative clauses english esl worksheets for distance. Non defining relative clauses non defining relative clauses are used between commas, and they add extra information which is not necessary to know who or what we are talking about. Nondefining relative clauses are placed after nouns which are definite already. Sep 29, 2012 a relative pronoun is used to repeat the meaning of a previous noun. There are defining and non defining relative sentences. Defining relative clauses they describe the preceding noun in such a way as to distinguish it from other nouns of the same class. Defining and nondefining relative clauses worksheet for. Free definingnondefining relative clauses worksheets. A ws for your students to revise the relative pronouns. You may remove the relative pronoun and reduce your sentence in certain conditions.
A clause of this kind is essential to the clear understanding of the noun. They are not essential in the sentence and can be omitted without causing confusion. Nondefining relative clauses are not used in spoken english. Nondefining relative pronouns exercise three things about nondefining relative clauses. It makes it even more comprehensible through exercises. Nondefining relative pronouns exercise cattaneodallaglio.
Combine the sentences using nondefining relative pronouns. If the relative pronoun is not followed by a verb but by a noun or pronoun, the relative pronoun is an object pronoun. Wrapup by having students compare answers with classmates, and then choose one or two students to write their answers on the board. This is rahul, who is joining our company next week. For exercises, you can reveal the answers first submit worksheet and print the page to have the exercise and the answers. Defining relative clauses exercise 4 make one sentence by changing the sentence in italics into a defining relative clause.
Explanations and examples along with tests and exercises online to practise english pronouns. A defining relative clauses give essential information to the person or thing we are talking about. Nondefining relative clauses non defining clauses add extra information. Commas or parentheses are always used to separate non defining relative clauses from the rest of the sentence. It takes lots of practice, so make sure to write down what you learn as you learn online.
The pronoun cannot be left out because it is the subject of the relative clause. Exercises with answers and grammar rules with examples. Defining and nondefining relative clauses test english. Most of the clauses are introduced by a relative pronoun who, which, where, whose, when and that people who live in glass houses shouldnt throw stones where is the jumper which i bought you last christmas columbariums are places where urns are kept the man whose dog i look after has just died. Relative clauses answers answers to relative clauses exercises 1. The man who wants to talk to you is waiting for you. Show me the road that which leads to the railway station 3. We could miss out the relative and the meaning would still be clear.
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