B1 GRAMMAR · CLAUSES · B1–B2

Defining vs non-defining relative clauses

Relative clauses add information about a noun using who, which, that or where. A defining clause is essential; a non-defining one just adds extra detail.

See the difference

A

Defining

essential; no commas
The man who called is my boss.
打电话的那个人是我老板。
B

Non-defining

extra info; needs commas
My boss, who is kind, called.
我老板(他很和气)打了电话。

Practise it

Q1 The book ____ I bought is great.
Q2 That’s the café ____ we first met.
Q3 She’s the teacher ____ helped me.