Orações relativas restritivas × explicativas
Orações relativas restritivas × explicativas means “defining (no comma) vs non-defining (comma) relative clauses”. A restrictive (defining) relative clause takes no commas and narrows down the noun, telling you which one exactly: in 'Os alunos que estudaram passaram', only some passed (the others didn't study). Formation: N + que + oração (restritiva, sem vírgula) / N, que + oração, ... (explicativa, entre vírgulas)
defining (no comma) vs non-defining (comma) relative clauses
B2Formation
N + que + oração (restritiva, sem vírgula) / N, que + oração, ... (explicativa, entre vírgulas)
Explanation
A restrictive (defining) relative clause takes no commas and narrows down the noun, telling you which one exactly: in 'Os alunos que estudaram passaram', only some passed (the others didn't study). A non-restrictive (non-defining) clause is set off by commas and just adds extra information about an already-identified noun: in 'Os alunos, que estudaram, passaram', all of them passed and, incidentally, all studied. The comma is not decorative: it changes the truth conditions. Compare 'Meu irmão que mora em São Paulo é médico' (I have more than one brother; the São Paulo one is a doctor) with 'Meu irmão, que mora em São Paulo, é médico' (I have exactly one brother; by the way, he lives in SP). 'Que' serves both types, but the non-defining one can use 'o qual' and can never be dropped, while some restrictive object relatives can drop 'que' in speech. Spanish makes the very same comma distinction ('los alumnos que estudiaron' vs 'los alumnos, que estudiaron'), and English matches too (that/no comma vs which/comma): near-total transfer.
Examples
Note
The comma is decisive: without it (defining) the speaker implies there are other members outside the set; with commas (non-defining) the noun is already identified and the information is just parenthetical. In speech the non-defining clause comes with a pause; the defining one doesn't.
FAQ
Orações relativas restritivas × explicativas — what does it mean and how is it used?
defining (no comma) vs non-defining (comma) relative clauses. A restrictive (defining) relative clause takes no commas and narrows down the noun, telling you which one exactly: in 'Os alunos que estudaram passaram', only some passed (the others didn't study). A non-restrictive (non-defining) clause is set off by commas and just adds extra information about an already-identified noun: in 'Os alunos, que estudaram, passaram', all of them passed and, incidentally, all studied. The comma is not decorative: it changes the truth conditions. Compare 'Meu irmão que mora em São Paulo é médico' (I have more than one brother; the São Paulo one is a doctor) with 'Meu irmão, que mora em São Paulo, é médico' (I have exactly one brother; by the way, he lives in SP). 'Que' serves both types, but the non-defining one can use 'o qual' and can never be dropped, while some restrictive object relatives can drop 'que' in speech. Spanish makes the very same comma distinction ('los alumnos que estudiaron' vs 'los alumnos, que estudiaron'), and English matches too (that/no comma vs which/comma): near-total transfer.
Orações relativas restritivas × explicativas — how do you form it?
N + que + oração (restritiva, sem vírgula) / N, que + oração, ... (explicativa, entre vírgulas)
Orações relativas restritivas × explicativas — any usage notes?
The comma is decisive: without it (defining) the speaker implies there are other members outside the set; with commas (non-defining) the noun is already identified and the information is just parenthetical. In speech the non-defining clause comes with a pause; the defining one doesn't.