112 Najd

A restrictive relative clause provides essential information. (No commas used)

It reminded him of the house. [which house?]

It reminded him of the house that he used to live in.

The tickets had all been sold to the fans who arrived before noon.

This sentence implies the existence of other fans who arrived after noon and couldn't buy tickets.

The passenger who was wearing her seatbelt wasn't injured when the car skidded into the phone pole.

This sentence implies that there was another passenger who wasn't wearing a seatbelt and was injured.

Lyle's brother who lives in Detroit is an engineer.

Again, this sentence implies the existence of someone else: apparently Lyle has another brother who does not live in Detroit.

A non-restrictive relative clause provides information that can be left out without affecting the meaning or structure of the sentence. (Commas are used)

The items, which are believed to be very old, included a grandfather clock worth around £3,000.

The items included a grandfather clock worth around £3,000.

The Titanic, which sank in April 1912, is the subject of a recent movie.

Is the following sentence punctuated correctly?

Only people, who speak Russian, should apply for the job.

Incorrect!

Only people who speak Russian should apply for the job. √

Do the following sentences contain restrictive clauses or non-restrictive clauses?

My brother who lives in Ohio is a civil engineer.

Restrictive

My brother, who lives in Virginia, is a rocket scientist.

Non-restrictive

The book that is lying on the coffee table belongs to Cherie.

Restrictive

The book, which is lying on the coffee table, belongs to Cherie.

Non-restrictive