how do you teach restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses

In American English, however, the strong preference is to distinguish the two terms according to the following guidelines:

• If the sentence isn’t clear or doesn’t make sense without the clause, the clause is restrictive: Use THAT without a comma.
• If the sentence can stand alone when the clause is omitted, the clause is nonrestrictive: Use WHICH and/or commas to set off the clause.
• If which starts a clause and is not preceded by a comma, it likely should be THAT.

Full Answer

What is a non restrictive clause in a contract?

Non-restrictive Clause A non-restrictive clause is a clause that provides additional, non-essential information. In other words, a non-restrictive clause is not needed to identify the word it modifies, i.e., it's just bonus information.

What is the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive adjective?

Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive. A nonrestrictive adjective clause is one that is not necessary in order to identify the noun it modifies. It provides information that is not essential to the understanding of the sentence, and it DOES require the use of commas. So, now you understand the definitions, but there is just a bit more to talk about in...

How to use relative clauses to create more sentence variety?

Use relative clauses to create more sentence variety. A restrictive clause restricts or defines the meaning of a noun or noun phrase and provides necessary information about the noun in the sentence. It is not separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Restrictive clauses are more common in writing than nonrestrictive clauses.

Which sentence contains a sentence with a nonrestrictive clause?

While the nonrestrictive clause who just graduated from high school offers a good description of the subject of this sentence, Kaylee, the sentence retains its meaning without it. Kaylee is an accomplished figure skater.

How do you identify restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses?

Restrictive clauses require no punctuation; nonrestrictive clauses are usually separated from the independent clause with commas. Restrictive: Restrictive clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence and do not need commas to separate them from the complete sentence.

What is the best way to determine whether the class is restrictive or nonrestrictive?

Commas and relative clauses One way to remember this is that nonrestrictive clauses are removable, and commas mark the removable part of the sentence. Restrictive clauses, on the other hand, are essential; they need to blend with their sentences seamlessly, without commas.

What are restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses examples?

Here are a few examples:The book that she read was important for her literature review. (restrictive)The participants who were interviewed volunteered to be part of the study. (restrictive)Walden University, which is entirely online, has main administrative offices in Baltimore and Minneapolis. (nonrestrictive)

What is the difference between restrictive and non restrictive clause?

Restrictive clauses limit the possible meaning of a preceding subject. Nonrestrictive clauses tell you something about a preceding subject, but they do not limit, or restrict, the meaning of that subject.

How do you know if a clause is essential or nonessential?

An essential clause is not set off by commas or other internal punctuation marks, such as dashes or parentheses, with the understanding that it is a necessary part of the sentence. Conversely, a nonessential clause is set off by punctuation that visually marks it as separate from the main part of the sentence.

How do you identify a relative restrictive clause?

Restrictive relative clauses give information that defines the noun—information that's necessary for complete identification of the noun. Use “that” or “which” for non-human nouns; use “that” or “who” for human nouns. Do not use commas. I like the paintings.

What are examples of restrictive clauses?

Restrictive Clause Example: Cereal is the food that I prefer to have for breakfast . (That I prefer to have for breakfast is an adjective restrictive clause. It contains the subject I and the verb prefer. The clause modifies the noun food, providing necessary information about it.)

What is an example of a restrictive relative clause?

Restrictive Relative Clauses Examples: The woman ​who lives across the street​ watches my cat when I go on vacation. The person ​whom I called today ​was my high school teacher. The car ​that hit the cat​ was red and yellow.

What are the differences between restrictive and nonrestrictive modifiers?

A non-restrictive modifier adds information that is not essential to our understanding of the sentence; if we remove it from the sentence, the basic meaning of the sentence does not change. A restrictive modifier identifies, or limits the reference of, the noun it modifies.

Which part of the sentence is a non-restrictive clause?

A non-restrictive clause is a clause that provides additional, non-essential information. A non-restrictive clause isn't necessary for clarifying the meaning of the sentence: it's just bonus information. Non-restrictive clauses are usually embedded into the sentence with commas.

Do nonrestrictive clauses need commas?

A nonrestrictive element describes a noun or pronoun whose meaning has already been clearly defined or limited. Because it contains nonessential or parenthetical information, a nonrestrictive element is set off with commas.

Which element in the sentence is nonrestrictive?

Nonrestrictive elements are groups of words that can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence. Because removing them does not change meaning, nonrestrictive elements can be set off from the rest of the sentence.

When looking at a sentence that contains a clause What is the best way to determine whether the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive?

Answer. Rule you can apply to relative clauses in order to punctuate them correctly is that restrictive clauses are never offset by commas, whereas nonrestrictive clauses are. One way to remember this is that nonrestrictive clauses are removable, and commas mark the removable part of the sentence.

What does restrictive clause mean?

Definition of restrictive clause : a descriptive clause that is essential to the definiteness of the word it modifies (such as that you ordered in "the book that you ordered is out of print")

What is a non restrictive adjective clause?

Definition: An adjective clause is nonrestrictive (also called nonessential) if we know exactly who is being written about without it. A nonrestrictive adjective clause is simply adding extra information. Nonrestrictive adjective clauses need commas around them.

What is a restrictive adjective clause examples?

Because they are essential to the sentence, restrictive adjective clauses can never be set off from the sentence with punctuation. Examples: High-risk students who attended extra tutoring sessions had significantly higher grades than students who did not attend. (The clause in italics is necessary to the sentence.

Restrictive Clauses Narrow Things Down

Restrictive clauses are usually introduced by the relative pronouns that, who, whom, or whose. A restrictive clause can have an identifying functio...

Nonrestrictive Clauses Give Bonus Info

Nonrestrictive clauses provide additional but optional descriptions that can be excised from a sentence without altering its meaning or structure.W...

Commas and Relative Clauses

A broad rule you can apply to relative clauses in order to punctuate them correctly is that restrictive clauses are never offset by commas, whereas...

Deciding Between That and Which

Confusion about when to use that and which has arisen for good reason: British and American English have different rules for them. In American Engl...

How are commas used in a nonrestrictive clause?

If a nonrestrictive clause is in the middle of a sentence, it is separated from the sentence by two commas, one in the beginning and one at the end...

Is the clause restrictive or nonrestrictive if it starts with "that"?

Clauses that start with "that" are usually restrictive clauses. On the other hand, clauses that start with "which" are usually nonrestrictive cla...

How do you know if a clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive?

The following rules can help writers identify restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. 1. Restrictive clauses offer essential information, while non...

What is an example of a restrictive clause?

In the following example, "who is wearing a silver blouse" is a restrictive clause. Ex: I need to talk to the lady who is wearing a silver blouse.

What is an example of a nonrestrictive clause?

Ex: Tonight I am meeting with my aunt, who is actually a close family friend, for dinner. In this example, "who is actually a close family friend"...

Why do we reduce relative clauses?

In academic writing, relative clauses are often reduced for a more concise style. This also creates more sentence variety. When reducing a relative clause, it is necessary to delete the relative pronoun and either delete or change the verb. Here are some examples:

What is a relative clause?

Relative Clause. This is a clause that generally modifies a noun or a noun phrase and is often introduced by a relative pronoun ( which, that, who, whom, whose ). A relative clause connects ideas by using pronouns that relate to something previously mentioned and allows the writer to combine two independent clauses into one sentence.

Why do we put commas in a sentence?

It uses commas to show that the information is additional. The commas almost act like parentheses within the sentence. If the information between the commas is omitted, readers will still understand the overall meaning of the sentence. A nonrestrictive clause is also known as a nonessential clause or phrase.

Why use relative clauses in a sentence?

Use relative clauses to create more sentence variety.

When can a relative pronoun be omitted?

When the relative pronoun functions as the object of the sentence, it can (and usually is) omitted from the relative clause.

Can a relative pronoun be deleted in a nonrestrictive clause?

A relative pronoun cannot be deleted in a nonrestrictive clause. CORRECT: Minneapolis, which has a population of about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota. INCORRECT: Minneapolis, has a population of about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota. CORRECT: I had to fix my printer, which I bought less than a year ago.

How to tell the difference between a restrictive and a nonrestrictive clause?

How can we tell the difference between a restrictive adjective clause and a nonrestrictive adjective clause? A restrictive adjective clause is a clause that is necessary in order to identify the noun it modifies. It gives the reader information that is essential or necessary to the understanding of the sentence, and it does NOT use commas. A nonrestrictive adjective clause is one that is not necessary in order to identify the noun it modifies. It provides information that is not essential to the understanding of the sentence, and it DOES require the use of commas.

What is a nonrestrictive adjective?

A nonrestrictive adjective clause is one that is not necessary in order to identify the noun it modifies. It provides information that is not essential to the understanding of the sentence, and it DOES require the use of commas.

What are the two adjective clauses?

In this lesson we are going to look at two adjective clauses: the restrictive and nonrestrictive. Each plays an important role in our understanding of English grammar, so let's define them and look at examples so there are no doubts.

Why is the clause "who has blue eye shadow" restrictive?

In this case, it is clear that the clause, 'who has blue eye shadow' is restrictive because it is necessary to the sentence. We understand that in this sentence, it is the girl who has the blue eye shadow who can help. Both conditions must apply in order for the statement to be true.

Is "two days late" a nonrestrictive clause?

In this example, 'which was two days late' is a nonrestrictive clause. In this case, the sentence is telling us that the teacher accepted the paper that was two days late. We can recognize that it is a nonrestrictive clause because it is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and the clause begins with 'which.'

Do you put a comma before "which"?

It is also interesting to note that when using 'that' for restrictive clauses, you do NOT use a comma before 'that,' but when using 'which,' you DO place a comma before 'which' in nonrestrictive clauses.

Which clause makes me feel the best?

In this example, 'that makes me feel the best' is the restrictive clause, and we can see it is necessary to our understanding of the sentence.

Which pronoun generally begins a nonrestrictive clause?

The relative pronoun which generally begins a nonrestrictive clause. It can begin a restrictive clause, but most style manuals prefer writers use it only for nonrestrictive clauses. The oranges, which have been sitting on the table for a week, are starting to look brown.

What is an adjective clause?

An adjective clause is restrictive (also called essential) if it narrows down the word it modifies. It tells which one of the noun you are writing about. A restrictive adjective clause is necessary to the meaning of the sentence. It is not separated from the rest of the sentence by commas.

What is a proper noun followed by?

A proper noun is usually followed by a nonrestrictive clause.

Is the red uniforms clause separated from the rest of the sentence?

It is not separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. The players who are wearing the red uniforms are winning the game. If we take out the clause, we won't know which players are winning the game. It's a restrictive or essential clause.

Do you need a comma for a nonrestrictive clause?

Without the clause, we still know that those girls are going to the same college. The clause is nonrestrictive. A proper noun is usually followed by a nonrestrictive clause.

Why Should I Care about Non-restrictive Clauses?

When looking at writing errors, there are more issues associated with restrictive clauses than non-restrictive clauses. As a general observation, non-restrictive clauses do not cause too many snags. Nevertheless, here are two good reasons to give non-restrictive clauses a little more thought.

Do you put a comma in parentheses?

If you'd happily put it in parentheses (brackets) or delete it, use commas.

Is parenthetical punctuation a writing tool?

Knowing your options for parenthetical punctuation is a useful writing tool.

Can you use parentheses in a non-restrictive clause?

You are not limited to commas when offsetting a non-restrictive clause. You can use parentheses (brackets) or dashes too. (See Reason 2 below.) Read more about your choices of punctuation for offsetting a non-restrictive clause.

Do you have an adjective clause headed by "which" or "who"?

Do you have an adjective clause headed by "which" or "who"? Would you happily put it in parentheses? Yes? It's non-restrictive. Offset it with commas or, if you think it helps, dashes or parentheses (round brackets).

Do you put a comma before "who" and "which"?

Writers often ask whether to put a comma before "who" and "which." The answer to that question is sometimes yes and sometimes no. It depends whether the "who" or "which" heads a restrictive clause or a non-restrictive clause.

Is a non-restrictive clause necessary?

In other words, a non-restrictive clause is not needed to identify the word it modifies, i.e., it's just bonus information. As a non-restrictive clause is not essential to the meaning of a sentence, it is offset with commas (or some other parenthetical punctuation such as dashes ).