"my father who is a policeman is retiring this year" vs "my father, who is a policeman, is retiring this year"

Question

"my father who is a policeman is retiring this year" vs "my father, who is a policeman, is retiring this year"

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. The first phrase implies that the speaker has multiple fathers, one of whom is a policeman and is retiring this year. The second phrase implies that the speaker has only one father, who is a policeman and is retiring this year.

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

This phrase is used when the speaker has multiple fathers, and one of them is a policeman who is retiring.

This phrase is used when the speaker has only one father, who is a policeman and is retiring.

Answer 1

my father who is a policeman is retiring this year

This phrase is correct but implies that the speaker has multiple fathers, one of whom is a policeman and is retiring this year.

Answer 2

my father, who is a policeman, is retiring this year

This phrase is correct and implies that the speaker has only one father, who is a policeman and is retiring this year.

"my father who is a policeman is retiring this year" vs "my father, who is a policeman, is retiring this year"

my father who is a policeman is retiring this year

my father, who is a policeman, is retiring this year

Related Comparisons