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Marlen
Joined: 22 Oct 2005
Posts: 62
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 Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:36 am Post subject: Defining or non-defining relative clause |
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Dear language experts,
My grammar book says that the following clause is non-defining.
The shop, which sells the books, is closed today.
Do you agree with it or could it, depending on the context, also be a defining clause?
The shop which sells the books is closed today.
I don't really see why this is non-defining, and I would like someone to explain it to me.
Thank you so much in advance.
Marlen |
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CP
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 2875
Location: California
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| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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It could be either. You could be talking about the shop, which just happens to be the one that sells the books, or you could be talking about the specific shop that sells the books. Using or omitting the commas will signal to the reader which it is.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb |
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Marlen
Joined: 22 Oct 2005
Posts: 62
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| Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Dear CP,
And once more thank you very much for your help.
Kind regards,
Marlen |
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