Providing Extra Information
Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses
Relative pronouns are used to connect two clauses in order to either define or provide additional information about a subject or an object.
who - persons
which - things
where - places
when - times
that - both persons and things
whose - possessive
Defining Relative Clauses
Defining relative clauses provide information which is essential to completely understand the sentence.
Example:
That is the policy which was chosen by our floor manager.
That is the time fence put in place by our CEO.
That is the document which was issued to communicate our fixed manufacturing costs.
Defining relative clauses identify persons or things that otherwise would not be automatically understood.
Relative Pronouns in Defining Relative Clauses
| Person | Thing | Subject | who, that | which, that | Object | that, who, whom | that, which | Possessive | whose | whose, of which |
Non-defining Relative Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses provide information which is not essential, but adds additional information.
Example:
Tom, who studied at Harvard, was chosen to design our equipment.
Tom, who redesigned our flow production process, was given a raise.
Tom, who has travelled to China, was chosen to speak on how to innovate the factories there.
Note:
Correct punctuation is essential in non-defining clauses. A comma is placed both before and after the non-defining clause.
Relative Pronouns in Non-Defining Relative Clauses
| Person | Thing | Subject | who | which | Object | who, whom | which | Possessive | whose | whose, of which |