Defining or Non-defining?
I can distinguish identification from extra information about an already identified person or thing.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Start with the contrast
A gallery has several guides. The guide who speaks Italian will help us. Later, the guide is identified as Rosa: “Rosa, who speaks Italian, will meet us at two.” The first clause selects a guide; the second adds information about Rosa.
Read the situation transcript
A gallery has several guides. The guide who speaks Italian will help us. Later, the guide is identified as Rosa: “Rosa, who speaks Italian, will meet us at two.” The first clause selects a guide; the second adds information about Rosa.
Which relative clause selects one guide from several?
Compare your idea
Who speaks Italian in the first sentence identifies the relevant guide.
How it works
A defining clause helps identify the reference and normally has no surrounding commas. A non-defining clause adds information to an already identified reference and is set off by commas.
In ordinary finite non-defining clauses, use who or which, not that, and do not omit the relative word. Commas alone do not prove how many siblings, colleagues or objects exist; wider context matters.
Identifying: the guide who speaks Italian. Extra information: Rosa, who speaks Italian, …
Notice this
The guide who speaks Italian will help us.
The clause identifies which guide.
Compare this
Rosa, who speaks Italian, will meet us.
Rosa is already identified; the clause adds information.
Hear the examples
The guide who speaks Italian will help us.
The clause identifies which guide.
Rosa, who speaks Italian, will meet us.
Rosa is already identified; the clause adds information.
The room which has a balcony is upstairs.
The clause identifies the room.
Room 4, which has a balcony, is upstairs.
The room is identified independently of the added detail.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: Rosa, that speaks Italian, will help us.
Say: Rosa, who speaks Italian, will help us.
Use who, not that, in this ordinary non-defining relative.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Identify one person from a group.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
The person who has the keys is waiting outside.
Check yourself: The relative must do identifying work.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Add extra information about a named person.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
Mina, who lives nearby, can join us.
Check yourself: Use commas for the extra information.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Explain how the context changes the choice.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
If there are several guides, the language may identify one; with Rosa already named, it can be extra information.
Check yourself: Do not infer family counts from punctuation alone.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Add extra information: Eva is our guide. She speaks French.
Compare a model and explanation
Eva, who speaks French, is our guide.
Use a non-defining relative with commas.
Self-check 2
Identify one of several books by its red cover.
Compare a model and explanation
The book that has a red cover is mine.
No commas are needed for the identifying clause.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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Already identified Rosa, ___ speaks Italian, will help us.
who: Use who in this non-defining clause about a person.
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Room 4, ___ has a balcony, is available.
which: Which is the relative subject referring to the room.
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Which clause selects one guide from several?
The guide who speaks Italian: The defining clause narrows the reference to a particular guide.
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Choose the punctuation for extra information about named Eva.
Eva, who lives nearby, is coming.: The requested extra information is set off by commas and uses who.
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Can the relative word be omitted in this ordinary non-defining clause?
No: The relative word is retained in the finite non-defining pattern.
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Correct “The museum, that opens at ten, is nearby.”
The museum, which opens at ten, is nearby.: Use which, not that, for this non-defining thing-relative.
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Do commas alone prove the speaker has exactly one sister?
No: Identification depends on context; punctuation alone does not establish a complete family inventory.
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Is the speaker identifying one of several guides or adding detail about named Rosa?
Adding detail about Rosa: Rosa is named first and the following relative supplies an additional fact.
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Which sentence uses an identifying relative without commas?
The bag that has my keys is on the chair.: The identifying relative specifies which bag is intended.
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What is the key distinction?
Identification versus additional information: Both types can refer to people or things; their information role differs.
Take it with you
I can distinguish identification from extra information about an already identified person or thing.