Relative Clauses

This post helps you know when to use commas and when not to use commas with relative clauses.

Relative clauses use words such as which, where, when, or who.

Which = Things, choices, comparisons
Where = places
When = events
Who = people

Which is more powerful then where, when, or who.

If are making a choice or comparison, use which -- even if it is about a place, event, or person.

For example:
The UAE, where Emirati people live, is a great place.
The UAE, which is more populated than Oman, has two world-famous cities.
The day when I get a car will be great.
The day which I like best is Saturday.



There are two types of relative clauses:  Non-defining and defining.

Non-defining relative clauses give extra information about a specific subject. Two commas separate the extra information. The first comma follows the subject. The second comma comes before a verb (usually is, was, are, or were).

                 NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE EXAMPLES:                 

       ATHS RAK lets all students use iPads.
       + extra info = ATHS RAK is the school I attend. 
       ATHS RAK, which is the school I attend,  lets all students use iPads.

a)   Ras al-Kaimah, which is the northernmost Emirate,  is where I live.

b) Zayed, who united the Emirates, was a great sheikh.

c) National Day,  when we honor the forming of the UAE,  is December 2.

d) Kandoras, which are traditional items of clothing, are worn by Emirati men.

Defining relative clauses make a unspecific subject (a thing, person, place, or event) more clear.  Commas are not needed.

                 DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE EXAMPLES:                    

       The school lets all students use iPads. 
       What school? The subject needs to be more clear.  
       The school which I attend lets all students use iPads.

a) The Emirate where I live is Ras al-Khamaih.

b) The sheikh who united the Emirates was great.

c) The holiday when we honor the forming of the UAE is December 2.

d) An item of clothing which Emirati men wear is the kandora.

TASK: Open up a titanpad with a partner. 

COPY AND PASTE:

Finish the sentences in the following list.

 Each sentence should include the words which, where, when, or who directly following the subject.

Your sentences must begin with the subjects in the list.
The next word in your your sentences will be "which, where, when, or who"
Some sentences will have 2 commas. Some will have zero. 
Look at the examples for help.

1) The video game

2) Ramadan

3) The movie

4) Real Madrid

5) My friend

6) The mall

7) Grand Theft Auto

8) The teacher

9) Mr. Rob

10) VOX Cinema

11) Umm Al-Quwain

12) [Insert Friend’s name]

13) The holiday

14: Write your own sentence with a defining clause)

15: Write your own sentence with a non-defining clause)