We use defining relative clauses, also known as identifying relative clauses or restrictive relative clauses, in English to provide essential information about someone or something. They make our writing more interesting and precise, allowing others to understand better what we are referring to.
Example
Explanation
The new novel is about a woman who invented the dishwasher.
Who invented the dishwasher is a defining relative clause that provides more information about a woman described in the novel.
Rule 1: We usually use a relative pronoun (e.g. who, that, which, whose, and whom) to introduce a defining relative clause.
Example
Explanation
The boy who lived.
The relative pronoun who is used to introduce the defining clause.
Note: Relative pronouns can define the subject or the object of the verb.
Example
Explanation
They're the people which are interested in doing business with us.
Here, the relative pronoun which defines the subject.
They're the people that I've met during this internship.
Here, the relative pronoun that defines the object.
Note: When the relative pronoun is the object of the verb, we can often leave it out.
Example
Explanation
They're people I've met during this internship.
Here, we left out the relative pronoun that as it defines the object.
Rule 2: We often use that instead of who, whom, or which in informal and spoken English.
English
English
Here is a list of singers that I want to see performing live.
Here is a list of singers which I want to see performing live.
Quiz
1/4
Choose the right relative pronoun to introduce the defining clause. Did you see the car ___ is parked on the hill?
0
correct answers.
Note: In writing, we don’t use commas in defining relative clauses.