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Relative Clauses
Non-defining Relative Clauses
Extra information set off by commas.
Explanation
A non-defining clause adds information without identifying the noun, so it sits between commas and cannot use that. Never omit the pronoun in this type, and note that which can refer to a whole preceding clause.
Examples
- My brother, who lives in Oslo, is visiting.
- The museum, which opened last year, is free.
- She passed the exam, which surprised everyone.
Common mistakes
My brother, that lives in Oslo, is visiting.
My brother, who lives in Oslo, is visiting.
Non-defining clauses cannot use that.
The museum, opened last year, is free.
The museum, which opened last year, is free.
The pronoun cannot be omitted here.
She passed the exam that surprised everyone.
She passed the exam, which surprised everyone.
Commenting on a whole clause needs a comma.