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Defining vs. Non-Defining Relative Clauses

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  • Kevin has four cats. Two of them are not white.
    Kevin's two cats, which are not white, can play outside. (N)
    Kevin's two cats which are not white can play outside. (DEF)
  • My friend Jane moved to Canada. (I only have one friend named Jane)
    My friend Jane, who is a scientist, moved to Canada. (NON)
    My friend Jane who is a scientist moved to Canada. (DEF)
  • We are on holiday. Yesterday we visited a church.
    The church which we visited yesterday is very old. (DEF)
    The church, which we visited yesterday, is very old. (NON)
  • London which is the capital of England is one of the largest cities in the world.
    Non-Defining Relative Clause
    Defining Relative Clause
  • Lady Gaga, who is a well-known pop star, is 36 years old.
    Non-Defining Relative Clause
    Defining Relative Clause
  • Not all of the students passed the test.
    The students, who passed the test, had a party. (NON)
    The students who passed the test had a party. (DEF)
  • That is the man who helped me when I fell down yesterday.
    That is the man, who helped me, when I fell down yesterday.
    That is the man who helped me when I fell down yesterday.
  • The village where I grew up is very small.
    Non-Defining Relative Clause
    Defining Relative Clause
  • Tamara has two cats. Both of them are black.
    Tamara's two cats which can play outside are black. (DEF)
    Tamara's two cats, which can play outside, are black. (NON)
  • Greg, whose job involves travelling a lot, has been in nearly all the countries in the world.
    Defining Relative Clause
    Non-Defining Relative Clause
  • Bob's mum has lost her keys.
    Bob's mum, who is a musician, has lost her car keys. (NON)
    Bob's mum who is a musician has lost her car keys. (DEF)
  • The office I have just rented is near my home.
    Defining Relative Clauses
    Non-Defining Relative Clause
  • That's the dog that bit me.
    Defining Relative Clause
    Non-defining Relative Clause
  • My car is the one that is parked just opposite the bank.
    My car is the one that is parked just opposite the bank.
    My car is the one, that is parked just opposite, the bank.
  • This is the officer that arrested the burglar.
    Non-Defining Relative Clause
    Defining Relative Clause
  • My boss, whose wife is French, travels to Paris often.
    Non-Defining Relative Clause
    Defining Relative Clause
  • Queen Elizabeth II who died in 2022 was the queen of England for 70 years.
    Non-Defining Relative Clauses
    Defining Relative Clause