Grammatical status: BEWARE OF.........RELATIVE CLAUSES

Hi guys!
Here you some new grammatical tips. This time I want to focus my attention on the difference between subordinators and conjunctions:

• Subordinators are NEVER preceded by a comma (you can find some more information in my previous Grammatical status)
  
• Conjunctions are INDEPENDENT SIGNPOSTS and are usually followed by a comma and preceded by a full-stop or semi-colon. Some examples are:

1. first of all, firstly, first.....to introduce a list;
   
2. in conclusion, to sum up, to summarize....to introduce a conclusion;
3. despite the fact, however, on the other hand...to express contrast;
   
4. as a result, consequently, therefore, .....to express a result;
   
5. moreover, furthermore, otherwise......to reinforce and add information;
6. for example, for instance.....to give examples.

Another fundamental point is the use of RELATIVE CLAUSES. I admit that for me it's not so easy to understand the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses. Here you some simple definitions in order to recognize them:

• DEFINING relative clause: gives essential information about the noun or noun phrase it modifies and without which the sentence wouldn't make sense (Pronouns: who, that, which, whose, where, when);
• NON-DEFINING relative clause: gives extra information about the noun or noun phrase it identifies, has commas at both ends and could be put into parenthesis (Pronouns: who, which, whose, where, when).

In order to understand the main difference between these two types of relative clauses, this week I tried to avoid the use of non-defining relatives and I finally understand that.....If you can put your information between parenthesis you are writing a non-defining relative clause and you have to use the pronouns 'who' (referring to a person) or 'which' (referring to a thing)!

Bye!

Elisabetta