Defining Relative Clauses

Start with the idea

The slide set on defining relative clauses introduces relative clauses as descriptions that tell us something about a noun. It includes examples about a house and a girl. Start there if you want a short introduction before looking at how the clauses identify the person, place, time or thing being discussed.

Then look at the Defining Relative Clauses mind map. It describes the information in these clauses as essential for identification and shows how words such as who and that can refer to people.

Compare and practice

The Defining Clauses flowchart compares defining and non-defining clauses. It distinguishes information needed to specify what is being discussed from extra information, and shows the difference in comma use. Use it alongside the mind map to keep the distinction in view.

Next, work through a defining relative clauses quiz. One quiz asks you to choose between sentences about trains. Another includes a meeting and explains that which or that can be used for a thing, and that the relative pronoun can sometimes be left out.

Use flashcards and maps together

The defining relative clauses flashcards offer prompts about a match, a year and a stadium. Try completing a prompt, then return to a mind map to check the relative words and the kind of information the clause identifies. The map labeled Unit 6 covers defining things, ideas, places, time and possessions.

If a quiz question is difficult, use a map to review the relevant point before returning to the question. The flashcards give you another way to work with examples after reading the explanations.

Place the topic in the unit

Defining Relative Clauses is a section of the Relative Clauses unit in English language. The slide set and the map on relative clauses connect this section to the broader unit by introducing how clauses add information about a noun or join sentences.

Choose a resource to start with, and move between the explanations and practice as you study.