Mastering Non-Defining Relative Clauses

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Mastering Non-Defining Relative Clauses

What do you already know about non-defining relative clauses?

Defining vs. Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Defining relative clauses provide essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify,

while non-defining relative clauses provide additional, non-essential information.

My friend gave me his bike that/which has recently been purchased.

• = 2 bikes & he gave away the new one = defining
  

My friend gave me his bike, which has recently been purchased.

• = there was only 1 bike = non-defining
  

Highlight the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses. Provide examples and ask students to identify which type of relative clause is being used.

Rules for Non-Defining Relative Clauses

- are set off by commas and can be removed without changing the meaning.

- can be placed immediately after the noun (e.g. person, thing, place) or pronoun (e.g. she, they, it, him...) they describe, or at the end of the sentence.

- use who = people,

where = places,

which = things,

whose (=wiens) = possession

- can't use 'that'!

Review the punctuation rules for non-defining relative clauses. Provide examples and ask students to identify the non-defining relative clause and explain why it is non-essential.

Practice Exercise

Identify the non-defining relative clause in the following sentence:

The movie, which was directed by Steven Spielberg, won several awards.

• = which was directed by Steven Spielberg

• Create 1 sentence out of these 2. Use a non-defining relative clause:
  Rob & Simona go to this class. Rob & Simona are cousins.

• Rob & Simona, who are cousins, go to this class.
  

Provide a practice exercise for students to identify the non-defining relative clause in a given sentence. Ask students to share their answers and explain why the relative clause is non-essential.

My mother like cooking. She comes from Wales.

Combine!

The flat he's rented is really expensive. This flat is in central London.
Combine!

Maria is a very charming girl. Her brother is a friend of mine.
Combine!

Bit more practice - on paper

Combine the sentences:

1. The film was really interesting. We saw it last Saturday.

2. Mr Smith introduced me to his daughter. He is my boss.

3. John Ash is a policeman. His wife was at the party last night.

4. Robert is going to get married. He is a lawyer.

5. Our new car has broken down again. We bought the car only last month.

6. Lucas is my best friend. I have known Lucas since I was a child.

7. We stayed at Mary's place. It is in a small village in the south of England.

8. Next weekend I'm going to Rome. My brother has been living there for the past two years.

What questions do you have about
the argumentative essay?

4 short paragraphs

1. Intro: 2-3 sentences = introduce your topic with some general ideas/facts + thesis statement: Some people say [this], but other people say [that].
2. Arguments FOR & AGAINST: 4-6 sentences = intro 1st argument, explain/give example (e.g. fake statistics, what research/scientists say...).
   Add 2nd argument, explain...
3. Conclusion: 2-3 sent. = sum up main arguments (differently) + own opinion

Write down 2 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.