Non-defining relative clauses

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

Séamus Ennis, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest uilleann pipe players of the twentieth century, once described learning tunes as a lifelong act of listening.

Grammar Reference · Non-defining relative clauses

Who (people)

Use who to add extra information about a person. Séamus Ennis, who learned tunes by listening, became a master piper. Commas are always required.

Which (things)

Use which — never that — for things. The session, which has no setlist, begins when a player starts a tune.

Where / when

Use where for places and when for times. Doolin, where sessions happen nightly, attracts musicians from abroad.

Common error

Never use that in a non-defining clause. The bodhrán, that keeps the beat, ✗ → The bodhrán, which keeps the beat, ✓

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Non-defining relative clauses

1.The concertina player arrived late. She had driven from Cork. → The concertina player, had driven from Cork, arrived late.

2.The uilleann pipes are a complex instrument. They are played with a bellows. → The uilleann pipes, are played with a bellows, are a complex instrument.

3.Galway is a city on the west coast. Sessions happen there every night of the week. → Galway, sessions happen every night of the week, is a city on the west coast.

4.Tuesday evening is a popular time for sessions. The pub is usually quieter then. → Tuesday evening, the pub is usually quieter, is a popular time for sessions.

5.The fiddle player started the first tune. He had been playing for thirty years. → The fiddle player, had been playing for thirty years, started the first tune.

6.A reel is a fast type of tune. It is one of the most common forms in sessions. → A reel, is one of the most common forms in sessions, is a fast type of tune.

02Exercise 2 — Find and Correct the Error

find the error · rewrite the sentence

1.The session, that has no conductor, follows its own unwritten rules.

2.Doolin, where is famous for sessions, attracts musicians from Europe.

3.A jig, that is a type of traditional tune, is played in triple time.

4.The flute player, who she had come from Galway, arrived after the session had started.

5.August, which hundreds of musicians arrive, is the busiest month in Doolin.

6.The bodhrán, which it keeps the rhythmic pulse, is often played by a newer player.

7.The pub, where the session takes place it, is on the main street of the village.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

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

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