1. Non-defining relative clauses do not tell us which person, thing, etc. the speaker means; these clauses give more information about a person or thing already identified.
Ken’s mother, who is 69, has just passed her driving test.(who is 69 does not tell us which woman; we already know that it is Ken’s mother)
2. Non-defining clauses are more common in a formal style, especially in writing. When we write these clauses, we put commas at the beginning of the clause (and often at the end of the clause).
Last weekend I met Sue, who told me she was going on holiday soon.
3. In a non-defining clause we always use who for people and which for things; we cannot use that. In addition, we cannot leave out who or which.
She gave the key, which I put in my pocket. (Not: She gave me the key, I put in my pocket.)
Comprehension questions:
1) What information do non-defining relative clauses give?
2) What are the rules about non-defining relative clauses?
Practice 7
A. Add commas where necessary.
1. The people __ who live next door __ helped us to move the furniture.
2. Have you still got the money __ that I gave you?
3. Sydney __ which has a population of more than three million __ is Australia’s largest city.
4. Peter’s sister __who I’ve known for years __ is a very nice person.
5. The chair __ that was broken __ has now been repaired.
B. Complete the sentences using who, that, which but only where necessary.
1. Maria, ___ has only been in Britain for a few weeks, speaks excellent English.
2. Who was the girl ___ you were speaking to just now?
3. My sister, ____ wasn’t feeling very hungry, didn’t want to go to the restaurant.
4. I’ve lost all the money _____ you gave me.
5. This is the letter ______ came in today’s post.
d) Relative clauses with prepositions + which and whom
1. We can use a preposition before which and whom e.g. in which, with whom in a defining relative clause.
The people with whom I stayed were very kind.
2. In everyday speech it is more usual to put preposition at the end of the clause and to leave out the pronoun which, whom
.
That’s the town he was born in.
3. In a formal style, we can also use a preposition before which and whom in a non-defining relative clause.
She’s studying chemistry, about which I know very little.
4.In everyday speech, it is more usual to put the preposition at the end of the clause and to use who instead of whom but we cannot leave out which and who in non-defining clause.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris, who we went on holiday with, live in Bristol
.
5. Note the structure some of many/ of much/ of none/ of all/ of etc.+ which/whom.
A number of my friends, some of whom you’ve met before, will be at the party.
He gave me a lot of advice, much of which was very useful.
Comprehension question:
How does the style influence the use of prepositions in relative clauses?
Practice 8
A. Join each pair of sentences without using who, whom, which.
1. The man is Sue’s cousin. I introduced you to him.
2. The hotel overlooked the sea. We stayed at it.
3. The shop is closed. I bought the shoes from it.
4. The people like him very much. He works with him.
B. Join each pair of sentences using who/which/whom + a preposition.
1. Mr. Jones is a teacher at Annie’s school. I was talking to him a moment ago.
2. Peter’s party is next Saturday evening. We are all invited to it.
3. The film Family Life is showing next week. I’ve heard good reports about it.
4. Mr. Mason apologized for the mistake. We complained to him.
C. A woman is complaining about a man she really dislikes. Complete what she says using the words in brackets and of which/whom.
“He’s always giving people lots of advice, much of which (much)is complete nonsense. He also talks about all the famous people he says he knows, (1)(most)…………… I’m sure he’s never even met. He boasts about the hundreds of books he says he’s read, (2)(many)……………… I’m sure he’s never opened in his life. He talks about his ‘three lovely children’, (3 (all)…………… are, in fact, as horrible as their father. He talks constantly about what a good son he is, and how often he visits his parents,. (4)(neither)…………. ever actually see him. And what else? Well, he spends lots of money, (5) (none)…………… is his, and drives two big cars, (6) (both)………….. belong to his wife!”
e) “Which” referring to a whole clause
We can use which to refer back to a whole clause.
Compare: He offered to help me.// This /was very kind of him.
He offered to help me, which was very kind of him.
which =the fact that he offered to help me.
Practice 9
Join each idea in A with the most suitable idea in B using which.
A B
1. She lent me the money. 1. This made driving dangerous.
2. They had to wait for over an hour. 2. It made us all feel very hungry.
3. There was a lot of snow on the roads. 3. That is why I didn’t buy you a ticket.
4. I knew you didn’t want to get to the 4. It meant I had to take a taxi.
concert.
5. There was a bus strike. 5. This annoyed them very much.
6. There was a delicious smell coming 6. This was very generous of her.
from the kitchen.
Practice 10