Defining & Non-defining Clauses

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

Ireland is now preparing one of the toughest e-scooter regulatory packages in Europe. The proposed measures, which include compulsory helmets, registration, and licensing, could come into effect as early as August.

Grammar Reference · Defining & Non-defining Clauses

Defining relative

Identifies which person or thing. No commas. The children who were not wearing helmets suffered the worst injuries. Removing the clause changes the meaning.

Non-defining relative

Adds extra information. Always use commas. Germany, which legalised e-scooters in 2019, has seen collisions rise. Removing the clause does not change the core meaning.

Pronoun choice

Use who for people, which for things. In defining clauses, that can replace who or which. In non-defining clauses, only who or which — never that.

Common error

Spain, that introduced technical standards... ✗ → Spain, which introduced technical standards... ✓ — never use that after a comma.

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Defining & Non-defining Clauses

1.Temple Street Hospital treated 30 children with brain injuries is in Ireland.

2.Dudley Curtis works for the ETSC says helmet evidence is strongest.

3.The rules Ireland is proposing are among the toughest in Europe.

4.Germany, legalised e-scooters in 2019, has seen collision numbers rise.

5.The children had not been wearing helmets suffered the worst injuries.

6.Spain is one of the countries that acted early has introduced technical standards.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.Temple Street Hospital treated 30 children. It is in Ireland.

2.The children were not wearing helmets. They suffered the worst injuries.

3.Germany legalised e-scooters in 2019. It has seen collision numbers rise.

4.Dudley Curtis works for the ETSC. He says the evidence is uneven.

5.The measures include compulsory helmets. They could come into effect in August.

6.Spain introduced technical standards. It acted before Ireland.

7.The rules are among the toughest in Europe. Ireland is proposing them.

8.The age limit is 18. Ireland is proposing it.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

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

Defining & Non-defining Clauses01classplan.ai