Defining & non-defining relative clauses. Defining clauses identify a noun and have no commas; non-defining clauses add extra information and use commas.
The idea
Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
Structure & examples
That is the woman who repaired my bike.
The shop where I work closes at six.
Notice the pattern
A defining relative clause identifies which person or thing you mean, so do not separate it from its noun with commas. Whose shows possession. The relative pronoun can sometimes be omitted when it is the object, but not when it is the subject.
This is the book that I need.
She is the person who called.
Important notes & common mistakes
Do not repeat the subject: the woman who helped, not who she helped.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Defining clauses identify a noun and have no commas; non-defining clauses add extra information and use commas. Do not use that or omit the relative pronoun in non-defining clauses. Whose expresses possession; where refers to place.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
My brother, who lives in York, is visiting.
This is the woman whose car was stolen.
The café where we met has closed.
My car, which is old, still works.
The book that you lent me is excellent.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
The café ___ I work is closing.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: where
Completed sentence: The café where I work is closing. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
The person ___ called left no name.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: who
Completed sentence: The person who called left no name. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
I need a bag ___ can hold my laptop.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: that
Completed sentence: I need a bag that can hold my laptop. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
That is the student ___ phone rang.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: whose
Completed sentence: That is the student whose phone rang. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
Question 1 of 50% complete
That is the woman ___ repaired my bike.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: who
Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: where
Completed sentence: The café where I work is closing. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: who
Completed sentence: The person who called left no name. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: that
Completed sentence: I need a bag that can hold my laptop. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: whose
Completed sentence: That is the student whose phone rang. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: who
Completed sentence: Use who: I met the woman who runs the shop. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
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Correct answer: where
Completed sentence: Use where: This is the place where we first met. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
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Correct answer: whose
Completed sentence: Use whose: He is the writer whose book won the prize. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
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Correct answer: which
Completed sentence: Use which: The bus which stops here goes to town. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
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Correct answer: that
Completed sentence: Use that: I found the key that opens this door. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun.
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Correct answer: The shop where I work closes at six
Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun. Do not repeat the subject: the woman who helped, not who she helped.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: This is the book that I need
This is the book that I need. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun. Do not repeat the subject: the woman who helped, not who she helped.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She is the person who called
She is the person who called. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun. Do not repeat the subject: the woman who helped, not who she helped.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: That is the café where we met
That is the café where we met. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun. Do not repeat the subject: the woman who helped, not who she helped.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I know the man whose dog escaped
I know the man whose dog escaped. Use who for people, which for things, and where for places. A defining clause identifies its noun. Do not repeat the subject: the woman who helped, not who she helped.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: who
Completed sentence: My brother, who lives in York, is visiting. Defining clauses identify a noun and have no commas; non-defining clauses add extra information and use commas. Do not use that or omit the relative pronoun in non-defining clauses. Whose expresses possession; where refers to place.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: whose
Completed sentence: This is the woman whose car was stolen. Defining clauses identify a noun and have no commas; non-defining clauses add extra information and use commas. Do not use that or omit the relative pronoun in non-defining clauses. Whose expresses possession; where refers to place.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: where
Completed sentence: The café where we met has closed. Defining clauses identify a noun and have no commas; non-defining clauses add extra information and use commas. Do not use that or omit the relative pronoun in non-defining clauses. Whose expresses possession; where refers to place.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: My car, which is old, still works.
Correct choice: My car, which is old, still works. Defining clauses identify a noun and have no commas; non-defining clauses add extra information and use commas. Do not use that or omit the relative pronoun in non-defining clauses. Whose expresses possession; where refers to place.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: that
Completed sentence: The book that you lent me is excellent. Defining clauses identify a noun and have no commas; non-defining clauses add extra information and use commas. Do not use that or omit the relative pronoun in non-defining clauses. Whose expresses possession; where refers to place.
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