Next weekend im going to glasgow, where my sister lives. Relative clauses pdf quiz relative clauses worksheet relative clauses pdf exercises defining and. Exercise school of english defining and nondefining. Defining and nondefining relative clauses test english. 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. A defining relative clause gives essential information about the noun or noun phrase it modifies, without which the sentence wouldnt make sense as the listener or reader would not be able to identify the noun in the sentence the hotel that we stayed in wasnt bad.
A defining relative clauses give essential information to the person or thing we are talking about. Both that and which can be used in this relative clause and the pronoun can be left out because there is a subject. 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. The verb in adjective clause must be singular if the subject of the relative pronoun refers to a singular noun. An important type of subordinate clause is the relative clause. In the overt case the relative clause is marked by the presence of one of the relative words who, whom, whose. I caught a ride with tony, whose car barely made it up the hill. Generally, there are two types of relative clauses. A noun clause will always contain a subject and a verb.
Defining vs nondefining relative clauses in a defining relative clause the information is essential to identify who or what we are talking about, whereas in nondefining relative clauses we just add extra the information, which is not necessary. Here, the underlined portion is the independent clause that can stand. This smartphone, i bought last week, takes great photos. Relative pronouns and clauses in english grammar exercises. It has a subject and verb, but cant stand alone as a sentence. Exercise school of english defining and nondefining relative. Defining relative clauses exercise 1 make one sentence from the two short ones. Relative clauses definition and examples in english. A relative clause can be used to give additional information about a noun. In defining clauses, we can omit the relative pronoun in the position of object.
Apr 15, 2019 clauses and phrases is a unique chapter to read to learn english grammar which is read under chapter clauses in english grammar. However, sometimes a relative clause is so important that the main sentence will be difficult to understand or have no meaning without it. Complete the sentences with relative pronouns or relative adverbs. Nondefining relative clauses are not used in spoken english. The relative pronoun that cannot be used to introduce an extrainformation nondefining clause about a person. The man who wants to talk to you is waiting for you. We can use that in defining relative clauses we can use that instead of. A relative clause always begins with a relative pronoun, which substitutes for a noun, a noun. Complete the sentences with whose, who, which, or where. Dublin, is the capital of ireland, is my favourite city. The relative clause is closed off by commas and is quite similar to information in brackets. Have they found the prisoner who escaped last week. The pronoun is required, even when it is the object of the verb in the relative clause. Amelia, mother is from shanghai, speaks english and chinese fluently.
Theres a boy in grade 8 whose father is a professional tennis player. Discover what defining and nondefining means and learn how to use them with examples. 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. 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. School of english defining and nondefining relative clauses exercise school of english oficines centrals. The sentence in italics should become the relative clause. Defining and nondefining relative clauses who, whom, whose, which, that. Relative pronouns have the same form when they refer to masculine, feminine, singular or plural nouns. Anaphoric elements in relative clauses relative clauses are so called because they are related by their form to an antecedent.
Heres a list of all the relative clause exercises on the site. Commas are not used to separate defining relative clauses from the rest of the sentence. The relative pronoun can be the subject or the object of the relative clause. A noun clause is a type of dependent clause that acts as a noun in the sentence. Bbc learning english quiznet nondefining relative clauses.
You can see if a relative clause is defining or nondefining by removing it from the sentence. Defining relative clauses these describe the preceding noun in such a way as to distinguish it from other nouns of the same class. This is the picture whichthat caused such a sensation. Nondefining relative clauses give us extra information about someone or something.
A relative clause is a clause that usually modifies a noun or noun phrase and is introduced by a relative pronoun which, that, who, whom, whose, a relative adverb where, when, why, or a zero relative. We dont need a relative pronoun, because the first word in the relative clause. Buckingham palace, the queen of england lives, is in the. Without the defining relative clause we do not know which film or man is being spoken about. Relative clauses in english exercises advanced level esl. There are defining and non defining relative sentences. The relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause. Relative clauses defining relative clauses grammar. Make one sentence by changing the sentence in italics into a defining relative clause. The letter thatwhich peter has sent to you is in the drawer. Defining relative clause we use defining relative clause to define which person or thing the speaker is referring to. Relative clauses nondefining relative clauses grammar.
Relative clauses introduction there are two types of relative clauses. Relative clauses are usually introduced by a relative pronoun usually who, which, that, but when, where and whose are also possible with defining relative clauses we can use who or that to talk about people. Turn the underlined sentence into a relative clause. Relative clauses that give additional information are called defining. Prepositions in relative clauses when there is a preposition in a defining relative clause this can go before the relative pronoun or at the end of the clause. Should we use a defining relative clause or a nondefining relative clause.
The relative pronouns where and when are used with place and time nouns. Restrictive relative clauses are also called defining relative clauses. There is no difference in meaning between these, though who tends to be preferred in more formal use. Nondefining relative pronouns exercise three things about nondefining relative clauses. They are introduced by a relative pronoun like that, which, who, whose, where and when. Relative clauses give us information about the person or thing mentioned. It isnt essential for understanding who or what we are talking about. My brother who lives in cardiff is much older than me. I broke the plate which that was a wedding present. This relative clauses worksheet helps students to practice defining relative clauses with who, which, where and when. However, it cannot stand alone as a complete thought. If you remove a nondefining relative clause, the sentence still has the same meaning.
A relative clause is an added part in a sentence that is used in relation to the main sentence. Grammar exercise 4 defining and nondefining relative clauses we use relative clauses to give additional information. Defining relative clauses are composed of a relative pronoun sometimes omitted, a verb, and optional other. Remember that the defining clause is not separated from the rest of the sentence by a commacommas.
The following relative pronouns are used in defining relative clauses. A clause of this kind is essential to the clear understanding of the noun. If you remove a defining relative clause, the sentence has a different meaning or is incomplete. Defining relative clauses are composed of a relative pronoun sometimes omitted, a verb, and optional other elements such as the subject or object of the verb. They contain within their structure an anaphoric element whose interpretation is determined by the antecedent. Object of a verb which or that or no relative at all. Clauses and phrases is a unique chapter to read to learn english grammar which is read under chapter clauses in english grammar. If the defining relative clause were removed from the sentence, the sentence would still be gramatically correct, but its meaning would have changed significantly. This includes main clause examples with clauses and phrases exercises and worksheet. You also cannot leave out the relative pronoun in nondefining relative clauses, in the way you sometimes can in defining relative clauses. If plural, then the verb will be in the plural form. Dec 19, 2009 practice on the defining and nondefining relative clauses.
Defining and non defining relative clauses exercises pdf. Relative clauses which give extra information, as in the example sentences above, must be separated off by commas. The relative pronoun whose is used in place of the possessive pronoun. Here we need the relative pronoun which, because it is a nondefining relative clause and the first word after the pronoun is a verb. In nondefining relative clauses, you cannot replace other pronouns with that. The relative pronoun can define the subject or the object of the verb. Fernandez carmona, english grammar with exercises, longman, 2000.
It can be used in a defining relative clause to define the noun it supports. Without this information, it would be difficult to know who or what is meant. You may remove the relative pronoun and reduce your sentence in certain conditions. A clause of this kind is essential to clear understanding of the noun. Students begin with a gapfill exercise where they complete sentences by choosing the correct relative pronouns. Exercises with answers and grammar rules with examples. Today teacher robin will be explaining relative clauses to us in english. The stairs whichthat lead to the cellar are rather slippery. 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. We reduce it by omitting the subject of the dependent clause and the be form of the verb. Relative clauses are generally introduced by a relative pronoun, such as who, or which.
Defining relative clauses add essential information to the sentence. Defining relative clauses exercise 3 make one sentence by changing the sentence in italics into a defining relative clause. Exercise 1 defining relative clauses solutions oxford. Defining and nondefinining relative clauses exercises pdf. The man who lives beside us is ill the video which you recommended was terrific. Defining clauses defining clauses specify define which personthinganimal is meant. It is sometimes called an adjective clause because it functions like an adjectiveit gives more information about a noun. Relative pronouns relative pronouns introduce relative clauses. Nondefining relative clauses are placed after nouns which are definite already. Here we are providing you with clauses definition, clauses meaning, and all types of clauses and some clauses examples with clauses exercises.
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