Restrictive Relative Clauses (Essential Information)
Relative clauses give more information about a noun. The first type is the restrictive relative clause (beperkende relatieve bijzin).
This clause provides essential information that tells you exactly which person or thing you are talking about. Because this information is necessary to identify the noun, do not use commas around it.
| Soles that are worn out must be replaced. | Zolen die versleten zijn, moeten worden vervangen. |
| The cobbler replaces the heel that is broken. | De schoenmaker vervangt de hak die kapot is. |
Non-Restrictive Relative Clauses (Extra Information)
The non-restrictive relative clause (uitbreidende relatieve bijzin) provides extra, non-essential information about a noun that is already specific (like "our cobbler" or "my boots").
Because the sentence would still identify the exact same object without this detail, you must separate the clause from the rest of the sentence using commas.
| Our cobbler, who is very old, replaces the leather. | Onze schoenmaker, die erg oud is, vervangt het leer. |
| My boots, which are very worn out, are still repairable. | Mijn laarzen, die erg versleten zijn, zijn nog repareerbaar. |
The Difference a Comma Makes
Commas can change the meaning of your sentence.
Without commas (restrictive), you single out specific items from a larger group. Here, the cobbler is only repairing the seams that are loose, not all of them:
| The cobbler repairs seams that are loose. | De schoenmaker repareert naden die los zitten. |
With commas (non-restrictive), you add a side note about an item you have already identified:
| The seam, which is very old, is getting weaker and weaker. | De naad, die erg oud is, wordt steeds zwakker. |
As a reminder, use dat instead of die when referring back to a singular het-word, like het leer (the leather):
| The brown leather, which the cobbler uses, is beautiful. | Het bruine leer, dat de schoenmaker gebruikt, is mooi. |