Defining And Non-defining Relative Clauses Exercise For Class 8

A defining / restrictive / identifying relative clause is essential for identifying the person or thing we are talking about. If you remove a defining relative clause from a sentence, it will not make complete sense. Study the examples given below.

• The dress which I bought online has shrunk.

Here the relative clause which I bought online explains which dress I am talking about. That means it is required for identification. If it is removed, we will get: The dress has shrunk.

While this sentence certainly makes sense, it is not possible to figure out which dress I am talking about. Hence, ‘which I bought online’ is a defining or restrictive or identifying relative clause.

Now study the example given below.

• My son, who just turned 18, has already started making apps.

Here the relative clause who just turned 18 merely provides additional information about my son. It is not required for identifying him. Hence, it is a non-defining / non-restrictive / non-identifying relative clause.

You can learn more about relative clauses here.

Note that non-defining relative clauses usually go after proper nouns. They may also go after expressions like my son, his father, her mother etc. In writing, non-defining relative clauses are separated with commas.

Identifying and non-identifying relative clause worksheet

1. She is wearing the dress which her mother bought for her birthday.

2. The accountant whom/ that we met yesterday is very honest.

3. My dentist who is a blonde lives in New York.

4. Mumbai which has a population of close to 16 million is a city on the west coast of India.

5. My sister who lives in Australia is a doctor.

6. Her only daughter who has very beautiful features wants to be an actor.

7. The parcel which my father sent last week arrived only yesterday.

8. My grandfather who is now ninety-five still enjoys good health.

9. The movie which I watched yesterday has a fantastic storyline.

10. This is the doctor whom we spoke about the day before yesterday.

11. The museum which is next to the library is being renovated.

12. Martha whose mother is a doctor also wants to be a doctor.

13. Sneha whom I respect very much is a famous social activist.

Answers

1. She is wearing the dress which her mother bought for her birthday. (Defining relative clause)

2. The accountant whom/ that we met yesterday is very honest. (Defining relative clause)

3. My dentist, who is a blonde, lives in New York. (Non-identifying relative clause)

4. Mumbai, which has a population of close to 16 million, is a city on the west coast of India. (Non-identifying relative clause)

5. My sister, who lives in Australia, is a doctor. (Non-identifying relative clause)

6. Her only daughter, who has very beautiful features, wants to be an actor. (Non-defining relative clause)

7. The parcel which my father sent last week arrived only yesterday. (Defining relative clause)

8. My grandfather, who is now ninety-five, still enjoys good health. (Non-defining relative clause)

9. The movie which I watched yesterday has a fantastic storyline. (Defining relative clause)

10. This is the doctor whom we spoke about the day before yesterday. (Defining relative clause)

11. The museum which is next to the library is being renovated. (Defining relative clause)

12. Martha, whose mother is a doctor, also wants to be a doctor. (Non-identifying relative clause)

13. Sneha, whom I respect very much, is a famous social activist. (Non-identifying relative clause)

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