Non-restrictive relative clause (, which ...)
Non-restrictive relative clause (, which ...) means “Non-restrictive relative clause: extra, non-essential information set off by commas; that cannot be used here”. A non-restrictive (non-defining) clause adds extra information that could be removed without changing who or what we mean: My brother, who lives in Tokyo, is a doctor. Formation: N , who/which + clause , ...
Non-restrictive relative clause: extra, non-essential information set off by commas; that cannot be used here
B2Formation
N , who/which + clause , ...
Explanation
A non-restrictive (non-defining) clause adds extra information that could be removed without changing who or what we mean: My brother, who lives in Tokyo, is a doctor. Commas mark it off on both sides. Use who for people and which for things or a whole idea, but never that. Because the noun is already identified, you cannot drop the pronoun here.
Examples
Note
Compare with defining clauses (no commas), which pick out which one we mean: The students who passed will get a prize (only some) vs The students, who passed, will get a prize (all of them passed). The commas change the meaning.
FAQ
Non-restrictive relative clause (, which ...) — what does it mean and how is it used?
Non-restrictive relative clause: extra, non-essential information set off by commas; that cannot be used here. A non-restrictive (non-defining) clause adds extra information that could be removed without changing who or what we mean: My brother, who lives in Tokyo, is a doctor. Commas mark it off on both sides. Use who for people and which for things or a whole idea, but never that. Because the noun is already identified, you cannot drop the pronoun here.
Non-restrictive relative clause (, which ...) — how do you form it?
N , who/which + clause , ...
Non-restrictive relative clause (, which ...) — any usage notes?
Compare with defining clauses (no commas), which pick out which one we mean: The students who passed will get a prize (only some) vs The students, who passed, will get a prize (all of them passed). The commas change the meaning.