Non-defining relative clauses

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

In Italy, this mass departure is called Ferragosto — a holiday rooted in a Roman festival that the emperor Augustus created more than 2,000 years ago.

Grammar Reference · Non-defining relative clauses

Form

Use who, which, where, when in commas. Roberto DaMatta, who spent decades studying Brazil, argued that rest matters.

Cannot use 'that'

France, which guarantees five weeks, is highly productive. — never write France, that guarantees...

Extra info only

Ferragosto, which began as a single day, now covers most of August. — the clause could be removed and the sentence still works.

Common error

The holiday, who started in ancient Rome... ✗ → use which for things, who for people.

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Non-defining relative clauses

1.Roberto DaMatta, spent decades studying Brazilian social life, argued that Carnival is a reset.

2.Ferragosto, started as a single day, now covers most of August in Italy.

3.Tokyo, many workers feel afraid to take holidays, has one of the lowest leave-uptake rates.

4.The Expedia survey, was published in 2023, covered workers in many different countries.

5.August, most Italian offices shut completely, is known as the height of Ferragosto.

6.The emperor Augustus, created the original festival, wanted to give workers a proper rest.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.Roberto DaMatta studied Brazilian social life for decades. He argued that Carnival suspends normal rules.

2.Ferragosto started as a single Roman festival day. It now covers the whole of August.

3.France guarantees five weeks of paid leave. It consistently ranks highly for productivity.

4.Augustus created the original holiday over 2,000 years ago. He wanted workers to rest after the harvest.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

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

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