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Learn how to use relative clauses to join sentences or give extra information. Find out the difference between defining and non-defining clauses, and the rules for relative pronouns, prepositions and question words.
Relative clause, czyli zdanie podrzędne w zdaniu złożonym podrzędnie przydawkowym (inna nazwa: zdanie przydawkowe lub zdanie względne), w którym zawarta jest informacja o danej osobie lub przedmiocie, np. play The child who has a blue hat is English.
Defining relative clauses give us essential information – information that tells us who or what we are talking about. The woman who lives next door works in a bank. These are the flights that have been cancelled. We usually use a relative pronoun or adverb to start a defining relative clause: who, which, that, when, where or whose. who/that
Relative clauses allow us to provide additional information without having to start a new sentence. In English, there are two types of relative clauses: defining and non-defining clauses. Learn about defining and non-defining relative clause with Lingolia’s online grammar lesson.
We use relative clauses to make clear which person or thing we are talking about: Marie Curie is the woman who discovered radium. This is the house which Jack built. In this kind of relative clause, we can use that instead of who or which: Marie Curie is the woman that discovered radium. This is the house that Jack built.
Learn how to use defining and non-defining relative clauses in English with examples, explanations and tips. Find out the difference between who, that, which and whom, and when to use commas and punctuation.
We use relative clauses to give additional information about something without starting another sentence. By combining sentences with a relative clause, your text becomes more fluent and you can avoid repeating certain words.