Defining relative clause

An identifying relative clause, also known as a defining or restrictive relative clause, is a relative clause that qualifies a noun, and tells us exactly which person or thing is being referred to - in other words, it defines that person or thing. Without them the sentences make little sense or have a rather different meaning. No commas are used.

Examples

Defining subjects:

• "Students who/that do homework get the best results."
• "The computer which/that we bought was very expensive."
• "My bedroom is where sleep."
• "The reason why I am editing Teflpedia is I have no life."
• "I have a husband whose family hate me."
• "And that was when I realised that I needed to get out more."

Defining objects

• "A corkscrew is something which/that you use to open a bottle of wine."
• "He is a friend who/whom/that I have known for a long time."

that/who

You can use that

• Do you know anyone who/that plays rugby or cricket?

• Judith works for a company which/that makes computer software.

You can leave out that/who/which when it is the object

• We went to see the film (that/which) Caroline liked so much.

• This morning I met a friend (that/who) I hadn’t seen for ages.

References

See also

• Non-identifying relative clause
• Zero identifying clause