Relative Clauses Questions Medium
Defining and non-defining relative clauses are two types of clauses used to provide additional information about a noun in a sentence. The main difference between them lies in their function and punctuation.
Defining relative clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence as they define or identify the noun they modify. They provide necessary information that helps distinguish the noun from others of the same kind. These clauses cannot be removed from the sentence without changing its meaning. In defining relative clauses, the relative pronouns "who," "whom," "whose," "which," or "that" are commonly used. For example:
- The girl who is wearing a red dress is my sister.
- The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting.
Non-defining relative clauses, on the other hand, provide additional information about the noun but are not essential to the sentence's meaning. They simply add extra details or descriptions to the noun. Non-defining relative clauses are set off by commas and can be removed from the sentence without altering its core meaning. The relative pronouns "who," "whom," "whose," "which," or "that" are also used in non-defining relative clauses. For example:
- My sister, who is wearing a red dress, is very talented.
- The book, which I borrowed from the library, is a bestseller.
In summary, defining relative clauses are necessary for the sentence's meaning and cannot be removed, while non-defining relative clauses provide additional information but can be omitted without changing the sentence's core meaning.