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Class 9 English — Defining and non-defining relative clauses

Tell a clause that says which one from a clause that only adds extra information, and punctuate each correctly.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Put the cards in order to make one correct sentence with a defining relative clause.

    • you lent me
    • last week
    • has run out.
    • which
    • The pen

  2. 2.In each sentence the relative clause is in capitals. Sort by whether that clause needs commas round it.

    Groups: Needs commas — extra information · No commas — it says which one

    • The boy WHO PLAYS THE FLUTE sits behind me.
    • My father WHO GREW UP ON A FARM tells wonderful stories.
    • The doctor WHO TREATED MY ANKLE works at the clinic.
    • My mother WHO IS A DOCTOR works long hours.
    • The man WHO GREW UP ON A FARM keeps bees.
    • My only brother WHO PLAYS THE FLUTE is younger than me.

  3. 3.The speaker has only one uncle. Which version is punctuated correctly?

    • a) My uncle who lives abroad, is coming on Sunday.
    • b) My uncle, who lives abroad, is coming on Sunday.
    • c) My uncle, who lives abroad is coming on Sunday.
    • d) My uncle who lives, abroad, is coming on Sunday.

  4. 4.Match each relative pronoun to what it stands in for.

    • who
    • whom
    • whose
    • which
    • where
    • when
    • a time
    • something belonging to the person or thing
    • a place
    • a person, as the subject of the clause
    • a person, as the object of the clause
    • a thing or an animal

  5. 5.Compare "My sister who lives in the hills is a doctor" with "My sister, who lives in the hills, is a doctor". What does the first version suggest that the second does not?

    • a) The speaker has more than one sister.
    • b) The speaker has only one sister.
    • c) The sister is not really a doctor.
    • d) The sister has left the hills.

  6. 6.Which sentence uses a non-defining relative clause correctly?

    • a) Our science teacher, who joined last year is very patient.
    • b) Our science teacher, who joined last year, is very patient.
    • c) Our science teacher, that joined last year, is very patient.
    • d) Our science teacher who joined last year, is very patient.

  7. 7.Match each sentence to what its punctuation tells you.

    • The passengers who had tickets were allowed on.
    • The passengers, who had tickets, were allowed on.
    • My friends who live nearby came early.
    • My friends, who live nearby, came early.
    • Only some of the passengers had tickets.
    • Only some of my friends live nearby.
    • All of the passengers had tickets.
    • All of my friends live nearby.

  8. 8.Which sentence is wrong?

    • a) The film, that we watched last night, was long.
    • b) The film which we watched last night was long.
    • c) The film we watched last night was long.
    • d) The film that we watched last night was long.

Answer key — Class 9 English — Defining and non-defining relative clauses

  1. 1. 1. The pen 2. which 3. you lent me 4. last week 5. has run out.
  2. 2. My mother WHO IS A DOCTOR works long hours. → Needs commas — extra information; The doctor WHO TREATED MY ANKLE works at the clinic. → No commas — it says which one; My father WHO GREW UP ON A FARM tells wonderful stories. → Needs commas — extra information; The man WHO GREW UP ON A FARM keeps bees. → No commas — it says which one; My only brother WHO PLAYS THE FLUTE is younger than me. → Needs commas — extra information; The boy WHO PLAYS THE FLUTE sits behind me. → No commas — it says which one
  3. 3. b) My uncle, who lives abroad, is coming on Sunday.
  4. 4. who → a person, as the subject of the clause; whom → a person, as the object of the clause; whose → something belonging to the person or thing; which → a thing or an animal; where → a place; when → a time
  5. 5. a) The speaker has more than one sister.
  6. 6. b) Our science teacher, who joined last year, is very patient.
  7. 7. The passengers who had tickets were allowed on. → Only some of the passengers had tickets.; The passengers, who had tickets, were allowed on. → All of the passengers had tickets.; My friends who live nearby came early. → Only some of my friends live nearby.; My friends, who live nearby, came early. → All of my friends live nearby.
  8. 8. a) The film, that we watched last night, was long.