Non-defining clauses in French explain how to add extra information to a sentence using commas and relative pronouns without changing the main meaning.
Non-defining clauses (les propositions relatives explicatives) are used to add extra information about a noun or pronoun without changing the main point of the sentence. Unlike defining clauses, which are essential to the meaning, non-defining clauses just provide additional details and are set off by commas.
- Add extra, non-essential information
- Always use commas around the clause
- Use relative pronouns like qui, que, or dont
- The main sentence would still make sense if the clause were removed
Forming Non-defining Clauses
A non-defining clause begins with a relative pronoun and is separated by commas.
- qui → refers to a person or subject
- que → refers to a direct object
- dont → refers to something introduced with “de”
- où → refers to a place or time
Example:
Cette auteure, qui est française, écrit des romans.
(This author, who is French, writes novels.)
- The clause “qui est française” is extra information about “cette auteure.”
- Commas indicate it’s non-defining.
Which relative pronouns can begin a non-defining clause in French?
qui, que, dont, où
Non-defining clauses in French typically begin with one of the relative pronouns: "qui", "que", "dont", or "où", depending on the role of the noun in the clause.
Commas Usage
Commas are crucial in separating non-defining clauses from the main sentence.
- Always place a comma before the relative pronoun and after the clause if it falls in the middle of the sentence.
- If the clause is at the end, just use a comma before the clause.
Example:
Mon frère, qui habite à Paris, viendra ce week-end.
(My brother, who lives in Paris, is coming this weekend.)
- Without commas, the sentence would suggest I have more than one brother.
Relative Pronouns in Non-defining Clauses
Here is a handy guide to which relative pronouns to use depending on their role:
| Role | Pronoun | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject (person or thing) | qui | La voiture, qui est rouge, est rapide. | The car, which is red, is fast. |
| Direct object | que | Paris, que j’aime, est belle. | Paris, which I love, is beautiful. |
| Possession (“de” phrases) | dont | Mon ami, dont la sœur est médecin, est gentil. | My friend, whose sister is a doctor, is kind. |
| Place/Time | où | , où je suis né, était une année spéciale. | , when/where I was born, was a special year. |
Examples
Here are some examples showing how non-defining clauses add extra but non-essential information:
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Marie, qui est ingénieure, adore voyager. | Marie, who is an engineer, loves to travel. |
| Le Louvre, qui se trouve à Paris, est un musée célèbre. | The Louvre, which is located in Paris, is a famous museum. |
| Mon oncle, dont le chien est très joueur, vient ce soir. | My uncle, whose dog is very playful, is coming tonight. |
| J’ai visité Rome, où j’ai mangé une pizza délicieuse. | I visited Rome, where I ate a delicious pizza. |
- Notice how the clauses add interesting details without changing the main sentence.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting commas: Non-defining clauses must be separated by commas.
- Using wrong relative pronouns: Follow the role (subject, object, possession, place/time).
- Confusing defining vs. non-defining: Non-defining clauses add info and are set off by commas; defining clauses are essential and have no commas.
Incorrect:
Mon frère qui habite à Paris viendra.
Correct:
Mon frère, qui habite à Paris, viendra.
Summary
- Non-defining clauses add extra information and are always set off by commas.
- Use qui, que, dont, or où depending on the role of the relative pronoun.
- The main sentence still makes sense if the non-defining clause is removed.
- Proper use of commas is essential to avoid confusion.
Which relative pronouns are used in non-defining clauses based on their role?
Subject → qui; Direct object → que; Possession → dont; Place/time → où
The choice of relative pronoun depends on its grammatical role in the clause: 'qui' for subjects, 'que' for direct objects, 'dont' for possession, and 'où' for place/time.
Flashcards (1 of 4)
- English Example: Marie, who is an engineer, loves to travel.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
