A Non-Defining Adjective Clause is extra information in a sentence. It is not necessary for the meaning of the sentence.

A Defining Adjective Clause, the type of Adjective Clause studied in Grammar 6-1 and 6-2, is a necessary part of a sentence, as it defines which noun the speaker is referring to.

  • The man who sat down was Mike. (Defining Adjective Clause)

    (In this sentence, you can't omit "who sat down." It is defining which man.)

  • The man, who I had never met before, was looking at me strangely. (Non-Defining Adjective Clause)

    (In this sentence, you can omit "who I had never met before." It is simply extra information.)

Non-Defining Adjective Clauses give us secondary (I.E. extra) information about a person or thing.

  • My friend John, who is from Canada, loves to play football.
  • The report, which is on the table, was completed yesterday.

Defining Adjective Clauses are more common in spoken English. Non-Defining Adjective Clauses are more formal and common in writing. In speaking, we usually say two sentences instead of one sentence with a Non-Defining Relative Clause.

  • My friend John loves to play football. He's from Canada. (Spoken)
  • My friend John, who is from Canada, loves to play football. (Written)

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