Defining relative clauses identify a specific person or thing using relative pronouns like 'who', 'which', or 'that'.
Non-defining relative clauses provide additional information about a person or thing without defining them, using relative pronouns and commas in written English.
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Defining Relative Clauses
Defining relative clauses provide information that identifies a specific person or thing. They start with relative pronouns like 'who', 'which', or 'that'. For example, 'The man whose phone I found gave me a reward' shows how the relative clause tells us which man is being referred to.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses provide extra information about a person or thing, but they don't identify or define them. These clauses use relative pronouns like 'who', 'which', or 'that', and typically use commas in written English. For example, 'David's mother, who was born in Mexico, is my sister's Spanish teacher' gives us additional information about David's mother, but it doesn't define her.