Relative Clauses (Defining and Non-Defining): Who, Which, That, Whose – Second Year Secondary – English – Algerian Curriculum

Lesson: Relative Clauses (Defining and Non-Defining) with Who, Which, That, Whose – Second Year Secondary – English – Algerian Curriculum

Lesson Objectives:

• Understand the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses.
• Use relative pronouns correctly (who, which, that, whose, whom).
• Punctuate non-defining relative clauses correctly.
• Apply relative clauses in writing and speaking.

Lesson Explanation:

1. Relative Clauses
A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It gives more information about someone or something.

2. Relative Pronouns

• WHO: Refers to people (subject). Example: The student who won the prize is my friend.
• WHOM: Refers to people (object – formal). Example: The man whom I met yesterday is a doctor.
• WHICH: Refers to animals and things. Example: The book which I read is interesting.
• THAT: Refers to people, animals, or things (used in defining clauses). Example: The car that I bought is red.
• WHOSE: Shows possession (for people and things). Example: The student whose father is a teacher works hard.

3. Defining Relative Clauses
Defining relative clauses give essential information about the noun. Without this information, the sentence would not be complete.

Examples:
– The woman who lives next door is a nurse. (Essential: which woman?)
– I like movies that make me think. (Essential: what kind of movies?)

Note: “That” can replace “who” and “which” in defining clauses.

4. Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses give extra, non-essential information. They are separated by commas.

Examples:
– My mother, who is a teacher, speaks three languages. (Extra information)
– Paris, which is the capital of France, is beautiful.

Note: “That” CANNOT be used in non-defining clauses. Commas are necessary.

5. Comparison Table

Defining: No commas, essential, can use “that”
Non-defining: With commas, extra info, cannot use “that”

6. Omitting the Relative Pronoun
In defining clauses, we can omit “who/which/that” when they are the object of the clause:
– The film (that) I watched was great. (object – can omit)
– The film that won the Oscar was great. (subject – cannot omit)

Exercises:

Exercise 1: Complete with the correct relative pronoun (who, which, that, whose, whom):

a. The girl ___ brother is my classmate is very talented.
b. The house ___ they bought is very old.
c. The professor ___ teaches physics is excellent.
d. The person to ___ I spoke was very kind.
e. This is the best film ___ I have ever seen.

Exercise 2 – BAC style: Join the sentences using a relative clause:

a. John is my best friend. He lives in London.
b. I bought a new phone. It has a great camera.
c. The Eiffel Tower is in Paris. It was built in 1889.

Answer Key:

Exercise 1:
a. whose
b. which/that
c. who/that
d. whom
e. that

Exercise 2:
a. John, who lives in London, is my best friend. (non-defining)
b. I bought a new phone which/that has a great camera. (defining)
c. The Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1889, is in Paris. (non-defining)

Similar Lessons:

Conditional Sentences Type 2 and 3 (If Clauses): Rules, Examples and BAC-Style Exercises – Second Year Secondary – English – Algerian Curriculum
Linking Words for Coherence and Cohesion in Writing — 2nd Year Secondary School English
English: Unit 1 -Signs of the Time- – Predictions, Modals and Opinion Writing – Second Year Secondary