Defining & Non-defining Relative Clauses

1. Defining Relative Clauses

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• Defining Relative Clause identifies a person, a thing or a place …etc
• It gives essential information معلومة ضرورية
• Without it, the sentence loses its meaning. بدونها الجملة تفقد المعنى
• Never use commas with defining relative clauses. بدون فواصل 
• We MUST use the relative pronoun if it refers to SUBJECT. يجب استخدام ضمير الوصل إذا كان يشير إلى فاعل
• We can delete / drop the relative pronoun if it refers to the OBJECT. يمكننا أن نحذف ضمير الوصل إذا كان يشير إلى مفعول به

Examples:

• 1. I know the teacher.                                      – She explains grammar very clearly.

I know the teacher who / that explains grammar very clearly.

• The pronoun refers to the subject → must be used

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2. This is the book.                                            – I bought it yesterday.

    This is the book which / that I bought yesterday.

• OR      à  This is the book I bought yesterday.

The pronoun refers to the object → can be dropped يمكن هنا حذف ضمير الوصل

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2. Non-defining Relative Clauses

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• A Non-Defining Relative Clause gives extra / additional information.
• This information is not essential.
• If we remove the clause, the sentence still makes sense.
• We MUST use commas. يوجد فواصل
• Don’t drop relative pronoun. لا يجوز حذف ضمير الوصل
• Use (which), never use that.لا يجوز استخدام that

Examples:

– Marie Curie was a famous scientist.         – She won two Nobel Prizes.

Marie Curie, who was a famous scientist, won two Nobel Prizes.

– The Eiffel Tower is in Paris.                      – It was built in 1889.

The Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1889, is in Paris.