NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES

Relative clauses give us information about the person or thing mentioned. Defining
relative clauses give essential information.

Non-defining relative clauses give additional information that is not essential and
can be removed. They are used immediately after the person, thing, or place.
Always separate a non-defining relative clause from the main clause with a comma.
You can add extra information about:

1. places (where)

The hotel, where many famous people have stayed, is in the centre of the city.

Bournemouth, where I lived for four years, is a beautiful town on the south-west coast
of England.

2. how you felt (which)

I made some new friends on vacation, which was amazing.

3. reasons and results (which/why)

My friend owns the restaurant, which is why my lunch was free.

I had a French exam yesterday, which meant I had to wake up early to prepare.

4. dates and times (when)

You should visit High Park in spring, when the cherry blossoms are blooming.

5. possession or connection (whose)

My sister, whose dog I'm looking after, is visiting a friend in Australia.

My friend Ernestine, whose house I stayed in last summer, is moving to Toronto.

6. part of a group of people (none/most/some of whom, ...of whom)

There was a work party with colleagues, most of whom I knew.

7. people (who)

Yesterday, I met my new boss, who was very nice.

I'm having lunch on Wednesday with my friend, who I haven't seen for ages.

You can use 'whom' instead of 'who' in formal written English when it is the object of
a relative clause.

Shelly, whom you talked to yesterday, is my next-door neighbour. (formal)

Shelly, who you talked to yesterday, is my next-door neighbour. (informal)

*We don't use 'that', and don't omit the relative pronoun or relative adverb in non-
defining relative clauses.