We use defining relative clauses, also known as identifying relative clauses or restrictive relative clauses, in English to provide essential information about someone or something. They make our writing more interesting and precise, allowing others to understand better what we are referring to.
Rule 1: We usually use a relative pronoun (e.g. who, that, which, whose, and whom) to introduce a defining relative clause.
Note: Relative pronouns can define the subject or the object of the verb.
Note: When the relative pronoun is the object of the verb, we can often leave it out.
Rule 2: We often use that instead of who, whom, or which in informal and spoken English.
Quiz
1/4Choose the right relative pronoun to introduce the defining clause. Did you see the car ___ is parked on the hill?
Note: In writing, we don’t use commas in defining relative clauses.