What is a Defining Relative Clause? ESL Definition with Examples

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🔑 A defining relative clause provides essential information to identify the noun it modifies. Without it, the sentence's meaning is incomplete.
• ✍️ It's introduced by relative pronouns like 'who', 'which', 'that', 'whose', or relative adverbs like 'where', 'when', 'why'.
• 🚫 Defining relative clauses are NOT set off by commas.
• 🎯 The relative pronoun or adverb refers back to the noun it modifies (the antecedent).
• 💡 'That' can be used for both people and things, but 'who' is generally used for people and 'which' for things.
• 🌍 'Where' introduces clauses that modify places, 'when' modifies times, and 'why' modifies reasons.

Practice Quiz

1. Which sentence contains a defining relative clause?
   1. The book, which was on the table, is now missing.
   2. The man who called yesterday wants to buy your car.
   3. My sister, a talented artist, is selling her paintings.
   4. The cat, sleeping soundly, didn't notice the dog.
2. Which relative pronoun is most appropriate to complete this sentence: "The student ______ studies hard always succeeds."?
   1. which
   2. who
   3. where
   4. when
3. In the sentence, "The house that Jack built is now for sale," what does the relative clause 'that Jack built' do?
   1. Adds extra, non-essential information about the house.
   2. Identifies which specific house is being discussed.
   3. Indicates the location of the house.
   4. Explains why the house is for sale.
4. Choose the sentence where the relative clause is correctly used to define the noun.
   1. My phone, which is old, still works fine.
   2. The restaurant, which I love, is closed today.
   3. The movie that I saw last night was amazing.
   4. His car, which is red, is parked outside.
5. Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a defining relative clause?
   1. The bicycle that I bought is now broken.
   2. The teacher who gave us the homework is absent.
   3. My dog, who is a golden retriever, loves to play fetch.
   4. The cake that she baked was delicious.
6. Which relative adverb should be used in this sentence: "This is the place ______ we first met."?
   1. who
   2. which
   3. where
   4. when
7. Identify the sentence that correctly uses a defining relative clause.
   1. The book, which I found yesterday, was interesting.
   2. The girl, who is wearing a blue dress, is my sister.
   3. The car that is parked outside is mine.
   4. My house, which is small, is cozy.