Comma rules – Vocabulary and Phrases
Useful grammar review
Relative clauses
Sentences can be divided into parts called clauses. A relative clause is a part of a sentence that describes the person or thing we are talking about and is connected to other clauses in the sentence via a ‘relative pronoun’, who, which or that. Relative pronouns replace the subject or object of the verb.
Where is the new boy? He was in class yesterday.
Where is the new boy that was in class yesterday.
Can I borrow the CD? You bought the CD.
Can I borrow the CD that you bought.
Defining relative clause
The girl that I sit next to in class, gave me her phone number.
that I sit next to in class (the relative clause) identifies ‘which’ girl (there could be many girls in the class).
Non-defining relative clause
This is my friend, Thomas, who came on holiday with me last year.
who came on holiday with me last year does not identify ‘which’ friend (we know ‘which’ friend - the friend is Thomas).
Note! In written English, non-identifying relative clauses are separated by commas, and in speech, by pauses.