1. Prepared by Jason Wong Defining and Non-defining Relative Clause

2. Defining Relative Clause The boy is dandy. (Which one?) c.f. The boy who likes blowing whistle is dandy. If we don’t have the relative clause, we may not know which boy the speaker is talking about. The boy is dandy. (Which one?) c.f. The boy who likes blowing whistle is dandy. If we don’t have the relative clause, we may not know which boy the speaker is talking about. Therefore, the underlined relative clause is ‘defining clause’.

3. Defining Relative Clause We use defining relative clause to define which person or thing the speaker is referring to. The clause is necessary. Otherwise, we may not be able to figure out which person or thing the speaker is talking about. We use defining relative clause to define which person or thing the speaker is referring to. The clause is necessary. Otherwise, we may not be able to figure out which person or thing the speaker is talking about.

4. Defining or Non-defining? Compare these two sentences The girl who has three brothers is my classmate. May, who has three brothers, is my classmate. Compare these two sentences The girl who has three brothers is my classmate. May, who has three brothers, is my classmate.

5. Defining or Non-defining? What are the differences? 1.Different subject - ‘The girl’ vs. ‘May’ 2.The use of commas (,) in the second one What are the differences? 1.Different subject - ‘The girl’ vs. ‘May’ 2.The use of commas (,) in the second one

6. Defining or Non-defining? In the second sentence, the relative clause gives extra information about the subject. May is my classmate. Without the clause, we can still figure out who (May) the subject is. Therefore, the first one is defining clause whereas the second one is non-defining clause. In the second sentence, the relative clause gives extra information about the subject. May is my classmate. Without the clause, we can still figure out who (May) the subject is. Therefore, the first one is defining clause whereas the second one is non-defining clause.

7. Defining or Non-defining? ‘May’ is a subject which is more explicit than ‘the girl’. We usually use non-defining clause for more explicit subjects. For example: –Proper names (e.g. John, Mary, Sandy etc.) –Subject with possessive adjectives (e.g. my, her, his, their, our etc.) –Demonstrative pronouns (e.g. this, that, those etc.) ‘May’ is a subject which is more explicit than ‘the girl’. We usually use non-defining clause for more explicit subjects. For example: –Proper names (e.g. John, Mary, Sandy etc.) –Subject with possessive adjectives (e.g. my, her, his, their, our etc.) –Demonstrative pronouns (e.g. this, that, those etc.)

8. Exercise Time Try to join the sentences by using defining or non-defining relative clause. 1.My girlfriend has taught me a lot. She is a teacher. 2.The doctor is famous. He cured the Chief Executive of pneumonia. 3.The man runs 2 km every day. He is a fireman. Try to join the sentences by using defining or non-defining relative clause. 1.My girlfriend has taught me a lot. She is a teacher. 2.The doctor is famous. He cured the Chief Executive of pneumonia. 3.The man runs 2 km every day. He is a fireman.

9. 4.My father is very hardworking. He is a merchant. 5.Jolin’s boyfriend asked for help. He is so stupid. 6.The boy sings sweetly. He has a good voice. 7.The woman is Kelly Chan. She is a famous singer. 4.My father is very hardworking. He is a merchant. 5.Jolin’s boyfriend asked for help. He is so stupid. 6.The boy sings sweetly. He has a good voice. 7.The woman is Kelly Chan. She is a famous singer.