1. No punctuation:
* This is the book that I told you about.
* The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
2. Comma:
* The car, which was red, was parked in the driveway.
* The dog, whose tail was wagging, ran to greet me.
* Use a comma when the relative clause is non-restrictive, meaning it provides additional information that is not essential to understanding the main clause.
3. No punctuation (with "that"):
* The book that I told you about is on the table.
* The dog that was barking is a golden retriever.
* Use no punctuation when the relative clause is restrictive, meaning it is essential to understanding the meaning of the main clause.
Here's a quick breakdown:
| Type of Relative Clause | Punctuation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Non-restrictive | Comma | The car, which was red, was parked in the driveway. |
| Restrictive | No punctuation | The book that I told you about is on the table. |
Important note:
* Whether to use a comma or not depends on the type of relative clause and the meaning of the sentence.
* "That" can be used for both restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, but it is generally preferred in restrictive clauses.
* "Which" is typically used for non-restrictive clauses.
Always consider the context and meaning of the sentence when deciding how to punctuate a relative clause.