Course Content
Introduction
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Welcome
FAQ
Performance Descriptors: STANAG 6001 Writing
Self-assessment Task
Writing Check-In
01:00:00
MODULE 1 | Write It Right: Writing Foundations
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1.1 Simple Sentence or Phrase
1.2 Sentence or Not a sentence?
1.3 Practice Present Tenses
1.4 Planning and Organizing Paragraphs
1.5 Writing Assignment | A Simple Paragraph
MODULE 2 | Combining Sentences
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2.1 Simple and Compound Sentences
2.2 Combining Simple Sentences: Complex Sentences
2.3 Revise & Check | Sentence Structure
00:00
2.4 Military Career | Paragraph Unity
2.5 Writing Assignment | Military Career
MODULE 3 | Linking Ideas & Informal Email
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3.1 Complex sentences |  Relative Clauses
3.2 Sentence Structure Quiz
00:05:00
3.3 Linking Ideas | Cohesive Devices
3.4 How to Write an Informal Email
3.5 Informal email - Giving news
MODULE 4 | Formal Writing Style |
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4.1 Formal Linking Words
00:00
4.2 Formal Emails | Complaint | Holiday Vocabulary
15:22
4.3 Indirect questions
4.4 Formal Email | Asking for Information
4.5 Writing Assignment - Formal email
MODULE 5 | Level 2 Writing Practice
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5.1 Types of Reports | Structure and The Main Features
5.2 Report | Practice Tasks
5.3 Informal Email | Practice Assignments
5.4 Formal Email | Practice Assignments
5.5 Report | Practice Assignments
STANAG 6001 Writing Course

 Relative Clauses

Grammar Reference

In English, we add information about people, things, or places in two ways. The key question is: Is the information essential to identify the noun? Compare:

The coffee that I bought this morning was cold.

Major Bērziņš, who is usually very strict, smiled at me today.

I underwent basic training in Alūksne, where I learned the fundamental skills of a soldier.

Type 1
Defining Clauses — Essential Information

This information tells us which specific person, thing, or place. It is “glued” to the noun — no commas. Use: who / that / which / where

The coffee which / that I bought this morning was cold.

The person who / that invented this software must be a genius.

The base where I did my basic training was very remote.

Type 2
Non-defining Clauses — Extra Information

We already know exactly who or what we mean (a specific name or unique place). The extra fact is a “bonus” — commas required. Use: who / which / where (never that)

Major Bērziņš, who is usually very strict, smiled at me today.

His tactical vest, which was quite expensive, saved him from a serious injury.

Adazi Base, where the Mechanized Brigade is stationed, has improved its facilities recently.

The 3-Step Test
1
Is it a specific name or place? (Riga, Captain Smith…)
YES → commas + who / which / where
2
Can you delete the clause and still understand the sentence?
YES → commas (bonus info)
3
Does it answer “Which one?” (Which soldier? Which report?)
YES → no commas, can use that

TASK A Explain the Punctuation
Look at each sentence. Decide: Defining or Non-defining? Use the 3-Step Test to explain why.

  1. The soldier who is standing by the door is my brother.
  2. The 2026 Draft, which starts in July, is the largest one so far.
  3. Riga, where I was born, is a beautiful city.
  4. The report that I submitted yesterday needs to be corrected.
  5. My tactical vest, which I received last week, fits perfectly.
  6. The car which caused the accident was not identified.
✏️  Discuss your answers with your instructor before moving on.
Answer Key — Task A
1 DEFINING — no specific name; tells us which soldier. No commas. that also possible.
2 NON-DEFINING — “The 2026 Draft” is a unique named event. Commas required. that not possible.
3 NON-DEFINING — “Riga” is a specific named city. Commas required. that not possible.
4 DEFINING — tells us which report. No commas. that or which both possible.
5 NON-DEFINING — “my tactical vest” is already identified. Commas required. that not possible.
6 DEFINING — the clause explains which car. No commas.

TASK B The Sentence Pairs
Connect the two sentences into one complex sentence using who, which, that, or where. Pay attention to commas!
# Sentence A Sentence B
1 My brother lives in London. He is coming to visit me next week.
2 The man is a doctor. He saved my life after the accident.
3 Riga is the capital of Latvia. It feels very grey on Monday mornings.
4 I want to buy a car. The car has four-wheel drive.
5 Captain Bērziņš is my instructor. He has served in three international missions.
6 The base is very modern. We are currently stationed there.
7 Alūksne is a small town. I did my basic training there.
8 The instructor is extremely strict. He leads the physical training (PT) sessions.
9 My new tactical vest was quite expensive. It fits me perfectly.
10 I am looking for the manual. It explains how to use the new radio system.
✏️  Write your combined sentences in your notebook. Compare with a partner.
Answer Key — Task B
1 My brother, who lives in London, is coming to visit me next week. (non-defining — named person)
2 The man who / that saved my life after the accident is a doctor. (defining)
3 Riga, which is the capital of Latvia, feels very grey on Monday mornings. (non-defining — named city)
4 I want to buy a car that / which has four-wheel drive. (defining — which car?)
5 Captain Bērziņš, who has served in three international missions, is my instructor. (non-defining — named person)
6 The base where we are currently stationed is very modern. (defining)
7 Alūksne, where I did my basic training, is a small town. (non-defining — named town)
8 The instructor who / that leads the physical training (PT) sessions is extremely strict. (defining)
9 My new tactical vest, which was quite expensive, fits me perfectly. (non-defining)
10 I am looking for the manual that / which explains how to use the new radio system. (defining)

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