Relative Clauses Questions Long
In non-defining relative clauses, the word 'which' is commonly used to provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. These clauses are not essential to the meaning of the sentence and can be removed without altering the overall message. Instead, they provide extra details or explanations that enhance the reader's understanding.
The relative pronoun 'which' is used to introduce non-defining relative clauses when referring to things or animals. It is important to note that 'which' is not used to refer to people; instead, 'who' or 'whom' is used in such cases.
Non-defining relative clauses are set off by commas, which help to separate them from the main clause. This punctuation is crucial because it signals that the information provided by the relative clause is not essential to the sentence's meaning.
For example:
1. My sister, who is a doctor, lives in London.
In this sentence, the non-defining relative clause "who is a doctor" provides additional information about the noun "sister." The clause is set off by commas, indicating that it can be removed without changing the main message of the sentence.
2. The Eiffel Tower, which is located in Paris, is a famous tourist attraction.
Here, the non-defining relative clause "which is located in Paris" gives extra information about the noun "Eiffel Tower." Again, the clause is separated by commas, emphasizing its non-essential nature.
It is important to distinguish non-defining relative clauses from defining relative clauses, which provide essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify. Defining relative clauses do not use commas and are necessary for the sentence's meaning.
In summary, 'which' is commonly used in non-defining relative clauses to provide additional information about things or animals. These clauses are set off by commas and can be removed without altering the main message of the sentence. It is crucial to understand the distinction between non-defining and defining relative clauses to use 'which' appropriately in writing.