A defining relative clause identifies exactly which person, thing or place we mean. It gives essential information, and without it the sentence loses its meaning. No commas: The man who called is my uncle.
Exercises:
Exercise 1 (Easy): Choose the correct relative pronoun
Choose who, which, or that to complete the defining relative clause.
Exercises:
1
The woman ___ lives next door is a doctor.
2
This is the book ___ changed my life.
3
The students ___ passed the exam got certificates.
4
I hate films ___ have sad endings.
5
The man ___ bag was stolen called the police.
6
This is the restaurant ___ we had our first date.
7
The company ___ she works for is very successful.
8
The person ___ you need to speak to is in room 5.
9
I know a girl ___ father is a famous actor.
10
The year ___ she was born was 1995.
Defining Relative Clauses
Identify exactly which person, thing or place, with no commas
Formula
Main clause+relative pronoun+relative clause
Relative Pronouns
whopeople
The man who called…
whichthings
The book which I read…
thatpeople or things
The film that I saw…
whereplaces
The town where I grew up…
whosepossession
The girl whose bag was stolen…
whentime
The year when I graduated…
Key Rule
Defining clauses CANNOT be removed
They identify which one we mean. Without them, the sentence loses its essential meaning.
No Commas Rule
Defining clauses have NO commas: the clause is glued to the noun it defines.
✅
The man who called is my uncle.
❌
The book, that I read, was good.
✅
The book that I read was good.
More Examples
❌
The man which called is my uncle.
✅
The man who called is my uncle.
Tip: "that" can replace "who" or "which" in defining clauses, but it cannot be omitted when it is the subject of the relative clause.