Non-Defining Relative Clauses — Extra, Not Essential

Notice the commas — what changes when you add extra, non-essential information?

Notice

  • My sister, who lives in Paris, is visiting next week.
  • The Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1889, is in Paris.
  • My brother, whose car broke down, took the bus.

Rule

A non-defining relative clause (marked by commas) adds extra detail that isn’t needed to identify who or what we mean — we already know. Compare to a defining clause (no commas): The woman who called is my boss (tells us WHICH woman) vs. My boss, who called this morning, is on holiday (extra fact about someone already identified).

Practice

  1. My father, ___ is 70 this year, still works part-time.
    Answer: who
  2. London, ___ is the capital of England, is huge.
    Answer: which
  3. My colleague, ___ office is next to mine, is on leave.
    Answer: whose
  4. This restaurant, ___ opened last year, is already popular.
    Answer: which
  5. Add commas: “My mother who is a nurse works nights.” (non-defining)
    Answer: My mother, who is a nurse, works nights.

Connect

Practise spotting where commas belong with non-defining clauses.

Try Error Correction →

CEFR: Writing — write simple connected text describing a person or place with extra detail.

Azizul Hakim
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