E8 M - Defining and non-defining relative clauses
aiMOOCE8 M - Defining and non-defining relative clauses
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E8 M - Defining and non-defining relative clauses
Mini-Beschreibung: Unterscheide notwendige und zusätzliche Informationen in relative clauses und verwende passende Formen in klaren Kontexten.
Level: English as a first foreign language · Klasse 8 · M-Niveau · Baden-Württemberg
Look at the photo. Which information helps you identify a place, and which information is only extra?
Try first in English:
- A café that sells snacks is useful on a long day.
- Camden Town, which is in London, has many colourful streets.
Learning routine: English first → understand the context → try → ask → use a hint → use short German help only if needed.
I can ...
- I can tell the difference between essential and extra information in a relative clause.
- I can use who, which, that, whose and where in clear contexts.
- I can use commas in non-defining relative clauses.
- I can combine sentences when I speak or write.
- I can explain and correct common relative-clause mistakes.
Vorwissen aktivieren
Quick start: Complete the sentence in your head.
A person who ... A place where ... A thing that ...
Try: Make one sentence about your school or town.
Hint: Start with a noun: a student, a room, a club, a place, a device.
Deutsch-Hilfe, wenn nötig: Ein Relativsatz beschreibt ein Nomen genauer. Du musst noch nicht alle Regeln kennen.
Context: A school magazine in Bristol
The fictional school magazine City Voices is preparing a short page about Bristol. Three fictional students — Nia, Sam and Alex — collect ideas. They do not use private social-media data.
Nia: “We need places that young visitors can explore.” Sam: “The harbour, which is close to the city centre, could be one of them.” Alex: “Let’s explain the difference between those two sentences.”
Notice the difference
| Sentence | What does the relative clause do? |
|---|---|
| We need places that young visitors can explore. | It identifies the kind of places we mean. The information is necessary. |
| The harbour, which is close to the city centre, could be one of them. | We already know which harbour we mean. The clause adds extra information. |
First idea: Necessary information → defining relative clause. Extra information → non-defining relative clause.
Listening and Viewing
Before watching: Predict: Which sentence type probably needs commas?
First viewing — gist: Listen for the main difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses.
Second viewing — details: Note three things:
- Which clauses identify a person or thing?
- Which clauses add extra information?
- What happens to punctuation in writing?
Speak after viewing: Explain the difference to a partner in two English sentences.
Hint: Use necessary information and extra information.
Deutsch-Hilfe, wenn nötig: Bei defining relative clauses brauchst Du die Information, um Person oder Sache eindeutig zu bestimmen. Non-defining clauses liefern Zusatzinformation.
Functional grammar
Read the two captions:
The bridge that connects the two sides of the gorge is famous. The Clifton Suspension Bridge, which opened in the nineteenth century, is a Bristol landmark.
Defining relative clauses
Use them when the information is needed to identify the person, thing or place.
| Meaning | Useful form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| person | who / that | A guide who knows the city can help. |
| thing | which / that | A route that avoids busy roads is useful. |
| place | where | This is the square where we met. |
| possession | whose | I spoke to a student whose project won a prize. |
No commas.
In a defining clause, an object relative pronoun can sometimes be left out:
The article that we read was short. The article we read was short.
At this level, keep the pronoun if leaving it out makes the sentence harder to understand.
Non-defining relative clauses
Use them when the noun is already clear and you want to add extra information.
Bristol, which is in south-west England, has a large harbour area. Nia, who writes for the school magazine, is collecting ideas.
Use commas.
Use who for people and which for things. You can also use whose and where when they fit the meaning.
Do not use that in this course for non-defining relative clauses. Do not leave out the relative pronoun.
One small meaning change
Compare:
The students who finished the article went home. → Only the students who finished it went home.
The students, who finished the article, went home. → The clause presents finishing the article as extra information about the students already identified.
Punctuation can change meaning.
Context vocabulary
Use these words in city, school-magazine and project contexts:
| Word | Simple English meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| landmark | a well-known place or building | A landmark is a place that many people recognise. |
| feature | an important or interesting part | The bridge has a feature that visitors notice. |
| local | connected with an area | We interviewed a local guide who works near the harbour. |
| report | a factual text about a topic | Our report, which has three sections, is nearly finished. |
| source | where information comes from | Use a source that you can check. |
Try: Choose two words and make your own relative-clause sentence.
Pronunciation and fluency
In speech, commas are not heard as punctuation marks, but non-defining clauses often sound like an extra piece of information.
Say these aloud:
Sam, who edits the page, has a new idea. The page that Sam edits is about Bristol.
Focus: Keep the sentence flowing. A short pause around extra information can help listeners.
Goal: Verständlichkeit vor Akzentfreiheit. Clear meaning is more important than sounding like a particular accent.
Viewing task: Listen for how which adds extra information. Then say one new sentence of your own.
Reading
School magazine draft — adapted text
City Voices is preparing a page for students who are planning a class trip. Bristol has a harbour area, which attracts many visitors. The team chose a walking route that includes the waterfront and a bridge. Nia interviewed a guide whose job includes school groups. The final article, which was checked by two students, gives practical tips as well as background information.
Read once for the main idea.
Then answer:
- Which relative clause identifies a particular group of students?
- Which two clauses add extra information?
- Find one example with whose.
- Which sentence includes a passive form? What is its purpose in the report?
Hint: Remove the relative clause mentally. If the noun is still clearly identified, the clause may be extra information.
Speaking
Situation: Nia, Sam and Alex must choose one place for the front page.
Use an informal discussion: I think we should choose the place that ... because ... The harbour, which ..., could work because ... I see your point, but ... What about the place where ...?
Task: Discuss for two to three minutes. Give reasons, react to another idea and use at least two relative clauses.
Optional recording: Only if you want to practise privately. Do not upload recordings unless your teacher has clearly asked for it and your school rules allow it.
Writing
Task: School-magazine mini report
Write about 90–120 words about a real or fictional place for young visitors.
Include:
- one defining relative clause about a person or group;
- one defining relative clause about a thing or place;
- one non-defining relative clause with commas;
- one reason why the place could interest your readers.
M-level focus: Connect ideas clearly. Check both fluency and accuracy.
Optional extension: Add one productive passive sentence, for example: The route was designed for school groups.
Mediation
Your German-speaking partner says:
Wir wollen im englischen Artikel erklären, welches Café gemeint ist. Außerdem möchten wir hinzufügen, dass es direkt am Hafen liegt.
Give the idea in natural English. Do not translate word for word.
Try first.
Hint 1: Use a defining clause to identify the café. Hint 2: Use a non-defining clause only if the café is already clearly identified.
Possible structure: The café that ... is ... . The Harbour Café, which ..., ... .
Help ladder
Use only as much help as you need.
| Step | Help |
|---|---|
| Ask yourself | Do I need the information to identify the noun? |
| Hint | Necessary → defining. Extra → non-defining. |
| Form check | people → who; things → which; places → where; possession → whose |
| Punctuation check | Non-defining information needs commas. |
| Short German help | Notwendige Information: ohne Komma. Zusatzinformation: mit Kommas. |
Direct feedback and error analysis
Check each sentence. Correct it and explain the problem in one short phrase.
- My aunt, that lives in Bristol, is a designer.
- The shop which we visited it was small.
- The harbour which is near the centre is popular. — Decide whether the writer means essential or extra information.
- Sam who edits the page is absent today. — Decide whether Sam is already clearly identified.
Feedback key:
My aunt, who lives in Bristol, is a designer. → non-defining: use who, not that.
The shop which we visited was small. → no extra object pronoun after visited.
For sentences 3 and 4, punctuation depends on intended meaning. Explain your choice instead of guessing.
Transfer
Imagine this is a fictional school-magazine scene. Do not identify real people in the image.
Create:
- one caption with a defining relative clause;
- one caption with a non-defining relative clause;
- one short spoken comment that gives a reason for your wording.
Example frame: The students who ... / The classroom, which ..., ...
Can-do check
Choose: Yes / Almost / Not yet.
- I can explain the difference between necessary and extra information.
- I can decide when commas are needed.
- I can use who, which, that, whose and where in suitable contexts.
- I can combine ideas without making the sentence unclear.
- I can spot and correct a relative-clause error.
- I can use relative clauses in a short discussion and in a short report.
If you choose Almost or Not yet, return to the Help ladder and improve one of your own sentences.
Responsible use of media and AI
Use only material you are allowed to use. The course uses Wikimedia Commons images and embedded educational videos.
Do not include private social-media data in your tasks. Use fictional profiles if a profile is needed.
External AI is not required. If your school allows AI feedback, write your own text first, ask only for focused feedback, check the grammar rule yourself and do not upload private recordings, personal data or unpublished class material. AI output can be wrong and must not replace your own work.
Folgekurs
Continue with Relative clauses in speaking and writing to combine accuracy with longer discussions, reports and presentations.
Interaktive Aufgaben
Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen
Which sentence contains a defining relative clause? (The café that sells sandwiches closes at six.) (!The café, which is near the harbour, closes at six.) (!Bristol, which is in England, has a harbour.) (!Nia, who writes the report, is in Year 8.)
What does a defining relative clause usually give? (Necessary information that identifies the noun) (!Extra information about an already clear noun) (!Only information about time) (!A direct quotation)
Which sentence uses commas correctly? (Sam, who edits the page, has a new idea.) (!Sam who, edits the page has a new idea.) (!Sam who edits, the page has a new idea.) (!Sam who edits the page, has a new idea.)
Which relative word is suitable for a person? (who) (!where) (!when) (!because)
Which relative word is suitable for possession? (whose) (!where) (!which) (!because)
Which sentence is suitable for a place? (This is the café where we met.) (!This is the café who we met.) (!This is the café whose we met.) (!This is the café because we met.)
Which form is suitable in a non-defining clause about a thing? (which) (!that) (!because) (!if)
Which sentence can omit the object relative pronoun without changing the basic meaning? (The article we read was short.) (!Nia writes the report was short.) (!Bristol is in England was short.) (!The harbour near the centre was short.)
What can commas show in a relative clause? (The clause gives extra information.) (!The sentence is a question.) (!The noun is plural.) (!The verb is in the future.)
Which sentence clearly adds extra information about an already named place? (Bristol, which has a long maritime history, is worth exploring.) (!A city that has good public transport is useful for a class trip.) (!A guide who knows the area can help.) (!We need a place where students can meet.)
Memory
| defining relative clause | necessary information |
| non-defining relative clause | extra information |
| who | people |
| which | things |
| whose | possession |
| where | places |
| comma | marks extra information |
| that | defining clause form |
Drag and Drop
| Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu. | Bedeutung |
|---|---|
| Defining clause | identifies which person or thing is meant |
| Non-defining clause | adds extra information about an already clear noun |
| who | refers to a person |
| whose | shows possession |
| where | refers to a place |
Kreuzworträtsel
| defining | Which type of relative clause gives necessary identifying information? |
| extra | What kind of information does a non-defining clause add? |
| comma | Which punctuation mark separates a non-defining clause? |
| people | Who usually refers to which group? |
| places | Where usually refers to which kind of nouns? |
| possession | What meaning does whose express? |
LearningApps
Lückentext
Offene Aufgaben
Leicht
- Photo caption: Choose one Commons image in this course and write two English captions: one with a defining and one with a non-defining relative clause.
- Error detective: Write three incorrect relative-clause sentences and exchange them with a partner for correction and explanation.
- Vocabulary link: Use three words from the context vocabulary in three new relative-clause sentences.
- Quick talk: Describe a fictional club, place or person for 45–60 seconds using at least two relative clauses.
Standard
- Mini article: Write a 100-word school-magazine text about a local or fictional place and use both clause types.
- Fictional interview: Create six interview questions for a fictional guide and write a short summary with relative clauses.
- Mediation task: Turn a short German note about a meeting place into natural English, using relative clauses instead of translating word for word.
- Peer feedback: Check a partner's text for meaning, pronouns and commas. Give one positive comment and two precise improvement suggestions.
Schwer
- Meaning challenge: Create three sentence pairs in which comma use changes how the information is interpreted. Explain each difference.
- Mini presentation: Give a two-minute presentation on a real or fictional city place. Use at least four relative clauses and explain one grammatical choice.
- Report editing: Rewrite a short factual report so that repeated short sentences become fluent relative-clause sentences without losing clarity.
- Media project: Create a one-page digital or paper city guide with freely licensed images, captions and a 120-word report. Record audio only voluntarily and keep it private unless your teacher explicitly requests another form.
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Lernkontrolle
- Edit for meaning: Rewrite a short paragraph that contains repeated nouns. Decide where defining or non-defining clauses improve the text and justify two choices.
- Punctuation and meaning: Compare two sentence pairs with and without commas. Explain how the intended meaning changes.
- School magazine transfer: Write a short recommendation for a class trip. Use both types of relative clauses and explain why each type fits its context.
- Reasoned speaking: Discuss two possible places for a school project. Give reasons and use relative clauses to identify and describe the places clearly.
- Meaning first: Mediate a short German description into English without translating line by line. Use at least two relative clauses where they make the message clearer.
- Error diagnosis: Correct a mixed set of pronoun, comma and sentence-structure errors and classify the reason for every correction.
Lernnachweis
For a successful learning record, show that you can:
- distinguish necessary from extra information in context;
- choose suitable relative words for people, things, places and possession;
- use commas accurately in non-defining relative clauses;
- combine ideas clearly in speaking and writing;
- explain at least one meaning difference caused by punctuation;
- revise your own text after feedback;
- keep media use lawful and personal data private.
The learning record should mainly show your own language choices and revisions. External AI is not required and must not replace your own work.
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