> Non-defining clauses in Spanish grammar are relative clauses that add extra information about a noun, separated by commas, and do not change the main meaning of the sentence.
Non-defining clauses, also known as non-restrictive relative clauses, provide additional information about a noun without limiting or changing its meaning. In Spanish, these clauses are set off by commas and use relative pronouns like que, quien(es), or cuyo/a(s). The information is extra, so the main sentence still makes sense if the clause is removed.
- Add extra details or explanations
- Always separated by commas
- Use relative pronouns: que, quien(es), cuyo/a(s)
- Do not change the core meaning of the sentence
How Non-defining Clauses Work
Non-defining clauses describe or give more context about a noun, but the noun is already specific. The clause could be left out without confusing the reader.
Spanish Computer Software Example:
- La aplicación, que fue actualizada ayer, tiene nuevas funciones.
(“The app, which was updated yesterday, has new new features.”)
- The main sentence is La aplicación tiene nuevas funciones.
- The clause que fue actualizada ayer adds extra info.
- Commas signal the clause is non-defining.
Punctuation and Pronouns
Punctuation
- Commas are required before and after the non-defining clause.
- If the clause is at the end, place a comma before it (unless it’s clear from context).
Common Relative Pronouns
| Pronoun | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| que | for things or people (more formal: use quien for people) | Mi jefe, que es muy estricto,... |
| quien/quienes | for people, especially after a comma or preposition | María, quien trabaja aquí,... |
| cuyo/a(s) | indicates possession (“whose”) | El programador, cuyo código es limpio,... |
Examples
| Spanish Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Mi colega, que tiene experiencia en IA, presentó el proyecto. | My colleague, who has experience in AI, presented the project. |
| La conferencia, que fue muy interesante, duró dos horas. | The conference, which was very interesting, lasted two hours. |
| Laura, quien es experta en ciberseguridad, dio una charla. | Laura, who is an expert in cybersecurity, gave a talk. |
| El ingeniero, cuyo trabajo es innovador, ganó un premio. | The engineer, whose work is innovative, won an award. |
Special Cases
Using “que” vs. “quien(es)”
- que is common and can refer to people or things.
- quien or quienes is more formal and always refers to people, often used after commas or prepositions.
Example:
- Juan, quien es bilingüe, coordina el equipo.
(More formal)
- Juan, que es bilingüe, coordina el equipo.
(More common)
Using “cuyo/a(s)”
- Shows possession and agrees in gender and number with the noun that follows.
Example:
- La programadora, cuyo informe faltaba, llegó tarde.
(The female programmer, whose report was missing, arrived late.)
- Los desarrolladores, cuyos proyectos fueron aprobados, están contentos.
(The developers, whose projects were approved, are happy.)
Summary
Non-defining clauses in Spanish:
- Provide extra, non-essential information
- Are set off by commas
- Use relative pronouns que, quien(es), or cuyo/a(s)
- Do not alter the main meaning of the sentence
Understanding non-defining clauses helps you add rich detail to your sentences and write with greater sophistication.
Last updated: Sat May 31, 2025
