Defining and non-defining phrase and clause

1. Defining and non-defining phrase and clause Group member: 簡欣怡 林君怡 詹雁菱 周冠如

2. Defining clause • Mr. Wang has a son who lives in Taichung . ( 王先生有個住在台中的兒子) “ 限定用法 ” , 指王先生不只一個兒子 , 因為不只一個 , 所以我描述時 ,必須限定是住在台中的那一個。

3. Non-defining clause • Mr. Wang has a son , who lives in Taichung . (王先生有個兒子, 兒子住台中)" 非限定用法 " ,指王先生只有一個兒子, 因為只有一個 , 也就不需去限定是誰 , "非限定用法"也是"同位語用法"的一種 , a son 和 who 指的是同一人 , 稱同位語用法

4. Typical difficulties for learners • Comprehension The context (punctuation, intonation) generally makes it clear whether phrases and clauses are defining or non-defining. Learners may “miss” this distinction in their reading and listening (input), but it isn't cause significant problems of comprehension. • Speaking and Writing

5. Speaking and Writing -Avoidance Learners often avoid using the kinds of phrase and clause that can be defining or non-defining, preferring longer but grammatically simpler way of expressing themselves. -Relative clause In the case of relative clauses we need to introduce this distinction as it affects which relative pronouns we choose. Many teachers pay attention to non-defining relative clause only after students feel confident about using relative clause to define.

6. Consolidation exercises Difference in meaning 1. (a) She kept on telling jokes, which made everyone really angry. →means the fact of her telling jokes made everyone angry.( The non-defining clause ) (b) She kept on telling jokes which made everyone really angry. → means the particular jokes she was telling.( The defining clause )

7. 2. (a) They said they loved their children, who were obedient and well-behaved. →means they loved all their children and their children were all obedient and well-behaved. ( The non-defining clause ) (b) They said they loved their children who were obedient and well-behaved. → means they loved were the ones who were obedient and well-behaved. ( The defining clause )

8. 3. (a) They all came out of the lecture, chatting and laughing. (b) They all came out of the lecture chatting and laughing. → no essential difference between these two sentences. 4. (a) She was a very hard-working student, who made excellent contributions to group discussion. (b) She was a very hard-working student who made excellent contributions to group discussion. → isn’t clearly define is defining or non-defining clause.

9. Language in context (seep.507-508) In the following passage a doctor writes about asthma in the East End of London. Read the passage and answer the question. • Identify any defining and non-defining clauses or phrases. • b. Identify ant cases where the comma which often marks non-defining clauses has been left out.