Non-defining relative clauses

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

Grand Bassam, which sits between the Ébrié lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, was once the country's first colonial capital. The visual artist Nuits Balnéaires, whose name translates as 'coastal nights', moved there permanently in 2019.

Grammar Reference · Non-defining relative clauses

Who — for people

Adds extra information about a person. Nuits Balnéaires, who moved in 2019, loves the ocean. Always use commas.

Which — for things

Adds extra information about a thing or place. The building, which opened last year, is now a museum. Always use commas.

Whose — possession

Shows that something belongs to the person mentioned. The artist, whose name means 'coastal nights', lives by the sea.

Never use 'that'

In non-defining clauses, 'that' is always wrong. The city, which has old buildings... ✓ The city, that has old buildings... ✗

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Non-defining relative clauses

1.Grand Bassam, colonial architecture was listed by UNESCO, is Côte d'Ivoire's first capital.

2.La Maison de l'Art, opened last year, has a sculpture garden and a café.

3.Aïcha Fall, grew up in the French countryside, values calm and quiet places to work.

4.The Atlantic Ocean, immense energy fuels his paintings, is visible from his studio window.

5.Agborsangaya-Fiteu, follows the Ivorian art scene closely, sees a productive balance emerging.

6.La Fourchette de Rōze, residency programme started in 2023, has welcomed artists from around the world.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.Nuits Balnéaires moved to Grand Bassam in 2019. He is a visual artist.

2.La Maison de l'Art is a contemporary art museum. It opened in a restored colonial building.

3.Aïcha Fall returned from Paris in 2023. Her photographs document life in West Africa.

4.Grand Bassam is 45 km east of Abidjan. It sits between a lagoon and the Atlantic.

5.Agborsangaya-Fiteu is an art collector. He is based in Abidjan.

6.La Fourchette de Rōze is a boutique hotel. Its residency programme has welcomed over two dozen artists.

7.Elladj Lincy Deloumeaux calls Bassam calm and soothing. He moved there from Paris.

8.The Ébrié lagoon borders Grand Bassam to the north. It is a popular fishing area.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

Non-defining relative clauses01classplan.ai