{"id":272800,"date":"2026-07-19T03:04:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T08:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=272800"},"modified":"2026-07-19T03:04:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T08:04:18","slug":"defining-non-defining-relative-clauses-b2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langcom.us\/pt\/blog\/defining-non-defining-relative-clauses-b2\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering Relative Clauses: Defining vs. Non-Defining (B2 English Grammar)"},"content":{"rendered":"
Relative clauses add important details to sentences, helping you describe people, things, places, or times more clearly.<\/strong> They connect two ideas into one smoother sentence. There are two main types: defining and non-defining. Defining relative clauses<\/span> provide essential information that identifies the noun; without them, the sentence’s meaning changes or becomes unclear. They do not use commas and can often use that<\/span> instead of who<\/span> ou which<\/span>. In contrast, non-defining relative clauses<\/span> give extra, non-essential information. The sentence still makes sense without them, and they are always separated by commas. Crucially, non-defining clauses<\/span> never use that<\/span> and their relative pronoun cannot be omitted. Understanding this distinction, especially comma usage and which pronouns (who<\/span>, which<\/span>, that<\/span>) to use, is key for clear and accurate B2 English communication.<\/div>\n

What Are Relative Clauses?<\/h2>\n

Relative clauses are a type of dependent clause. They give more information about a noun or pronoun in the main part of the sentence.<\/p>\n

They begin with a relative pronoun (who<\/span>, whom<\/span>, whose<\/span>, which<\/span>, that<\/span>) or a relative adverb (where<\/span>, when<\/span>, why<\/span>).<\/p>\n

✍️ Not sure which level you are?<\/h3>

Take our free placement test and get personalized feedback from certified Cambridge examiners.<\/p>Fa\u00e7a nosso teste de nivelamento GRATUITO<\/a><\/div>\n

What Is a Defining Relative Clause?<\/h2>\n

Defining relative clauses<\/span> provide essential information. This information is necessary to understand exactly who or what you are talking about.<\/p>\n

If you remove a defining relative clause<\/span>, the meaning of the sentence changes or becomes unclear.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • They are not separated by commas.<\/li>\n
  • You can use who<\/span> for people, which<\/span> for things, and that<\/span> for both people and things.<\/li>\n
  • Often, that<\/span> is preferred in informal speech and writing.<\/li>\n
  • When the relative pronoun is the object of the clause, you can often omit it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Examples:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • The woman who lives next door is a doctor.<\/span> (Essential: identifies which woman)<\/li>\n
    • This is the book which I was telling you about.<\/span> (Essential: identifies which book)<\/li>\n
    • I like the car that has red wheels.<\/span> (Essential: identifies which car)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Voc\u00ea tamb\u00e9m pode usar where<\/span> for places, when<\/span> for times, and whose<\/span> for possession.<\/p>\n

        \n
      • That’s the restaurant where we had our first date.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • I remember the day when we first met.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • He’s the student whose essay won the prize.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Sometimes, prepositions are used with which<\/span> ou who<\/span>. The preposition usually comes at the end of the clause.<\/p>\n

          \n
        • This is the house which I grew up in.<\/span> (More common than This is the house in which I grew up.<\/span>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          What Is a Non-Defining Relative Clause?<\/h2>\n

          Non-defining relative clauses<\/span> provide extra, additional information. This information is not essential to identify the noun.<\/p>\n

          If you remove a non-defining relative clause<\/span>, the main meaning of the sentence remains clear and complete.<\/p>\n

            \n
          • They are always separated by commas.<\/li>\n
          • You use who<\/span> for people and which<\/span> for things.<\/li>\n
          • Crucially, you CANNOT use that<\/span> em non-defining relative clauses<\/span>.<\/li>\n
          • The relative pronoun CANNOT be omitted, even if it is the object of the clause.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Examples:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor.<\/span> (Extra: I only have one brother, so “who lives in London” is additional info.)<\/li>\n
            • The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is a famous landmark.<\/span> (Extra: “The Eiffel Tower” is already specific.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Which<\/span> can also refer to the entire preceding clause, not just a single noun.<\/p>\n

                \n
              • She got the job, which made her very happy.<\/span> (The job itself didn’t make her happy, the fact that she got it did.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Voc\u00ea tamb\u00e9m pode usar where<\/span>, when<\/span>, e whose<\/span> em non-defining clauses<\/span>, always with commas.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • My hometown, where I grew up, is very small.<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Last summer, when I visited Spain, was unforgettable.<\/span><\/li>\n
                • My neighbor, whose dog barks all night, apologized yesterday.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Key Differences at a Glance<\/h2>\n

                  Here’s a quick summary of the main distinctions between these two important clause types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                  Defining vs. Non-Defining Relative Clauses: A Quick Comparison<\/caption>\n
                  Feature<\/th>\nDefining Relative Clauses<\/th>\nNon-Defining Relative Clauses<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                  Information Type<\/span><\/td>\nEssential to identify the noun<\/span><\/td>\nExtra, non-essential information<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  Commas<\/span><\/td>\nNo commas<\/span><\/td>\nAlways use commas<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  Pronoun that<\/span><\/td>\nCan be used for people\/things<\/span><\/td>\nCannot be used<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  Pronoun Omission<\/span><\/td>\nCan be omitted (if object)<\/span><\/td>\nCannot be omitted<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  Meaning without clause<\/span><\/td>\nChanges or becomes unclear<\/span><\/td>\nRemains clear and complete<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  Common Pronouns<\/span><\/td>\nwho<\/span>, which<\/span>, that<\/span>, where<\/span>, when<\/span>, whose<\/span><\/td>\nwho<\/span>, which<\/span>, where<\/span>, when<\/span>, whose<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

                  Exemplos<\/h2>\n
                    \n
                  • The student who submitted the best essay received a scholarship.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • I finally read the book that you recommended.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • This is the caf\u00e9 where we first met.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • My car, which is quite old, broke down yesterday.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Dr. Elena Rodriguez, who is a renowned scientist, will give the keynote speech.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • He failed the exam, which surprised everyone.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • The company whose CEO resigned last month is facing financial difficulties.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • My cousin, whose car was stolen, is very upset.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Pr\u00e1tica<\/h2>\n