Transcript RESTRICTIVE AND NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSES

WHAT IS A CLAUSE?
WHEN DOES IT NEED COMMAS?
No. That’s
a Claus!
Well , what kind of clause do you mean?
There are four types of clauses :
independent (main), dependent
(subordinating), relative (adjective),
and noun.
They all have a subject and a verb and
consequently express a complete thought.
However, only the independent clause can
stand on its own. The other clauses need
to be paired up with an independent clause
to really make sense.
THE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
Every independent clause will
follow this pattern:
subject + verb = complete thought.
Lazy students whine.
Students = subject; whine = verb.
My dog loves pizza crusts.
Dog = subject; loves = verb.
A dependent (subordinate) clause will follow this
pattern:
subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun + subject
+ verb = incomplete thought.
Under the dependent clause umbrella, we’ll find adverb
(subordinating) clauses, adjective (relative) clauses,
adverbial clauses, and noun clauses.
Some subordinating conjunctions that can start a
adverb clause:
The subordinate conjunction has two jobs. First, it provides a
necessary transition between the two ideas in the sentence.
This transition will indicate a time, place, or cause and effect
relationship.
after
although
as
because
before
even if
even though
if
in order that
once
provided that
rather than
since
so that
than
that
though
unless
until
when
whenever
where
whereas
wherever
whether
while
why
An adjective (relative) clause will begin with a relative
pronoun [such as who, whom, whose, which, or that] or
a relative adverb [when, where, or why]. The patterns
look like these:
• relative pronoun or adverb + subject + verb = incomplete
thought.
• relative pronoun as subject + verb = incomplete thought.
• Let’s look at some examples of adjective clauses!
Whom Mrs. Russell hit in the head with a chalk eraser
Whom = relative pronoun; Mrs. Russell = subject; hit = verb.
The boy whom Mrs. Russell hit in the head with a chalk eraser has
finally stopped talking in class.
Where he chews and drools with great enthusiasm
Where = relative adverb; he = subject; chews, drools = verbs.
The dog likes to lie under the table, where he chews and drools with
great enthusiasm.
That had spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter
That = relative pronoun (as subj.); had spilled, splashed = verbs.
The red punch that had spilled over the glass and splashed onto the
counter was quickly wiped up before it could stain the formica.
Who loves pizza crusts
Who = relative pronoun (as subj.); loves = verb.
When we go to Pizza Hut, we save our leftovers for Andy, who loves
pizza crusts.
 Any clause that functions as a noun becomes a
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noun clause. Look at this example:
You really do not want to know the ingredients in Aunt
Nancy's stew.
Ingredients = noun.
If we replace the noun ingredients with a clause, we
have a noun clause:
You really do not want to know what Aunt Nancy adds
to her stew.
What Aunt Nancy adds to her stew = noun clause.
Now that you are
experts on clauses, we
are going to talk about
punctuating them.
Today we’ll focus on punctuating relative
(adjective) clauses, clauses that describe a
noun.
An adjective clause (adjectival clause) is a
dependent clause that functions as an
adjective, modifying nouns and pronouns.
It starts with either a relative adverb:
where, when, and why,
or a relative pronoun:
that, who, whom, whose, or which.
RESTRICTIVE (ESSENTIAL) VS.
NONRESTRICTIVE (NONESSENTIAL) CLAUSES
1. Restrictive relative clauses are not set off by commas,
while nonrestrictive relative clauses are.
2. As a general rule, the pronoun "that" should be used for
restrictive relative clauses, and "which" should be used for
nonrestrictive relative clauses.
SO WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A RESTRICTIVE AND
NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSE?
 NONRESTRICTIVE RELATIVE CLAUSES
 If a relative clause adds parenthetical, nondefining
information, it is nonrestrictive (nonessential). A
nonrestrictive (parenthetical) element is set off by
commas, as in these examples.
 Mr. Smith, who is a well-respected lawyer, has just
retired from active practice.
 Professor James, who is an expert in Victorian
poetry, will be giving a lecture tonight.
Mr. Smith, who is a well-respected lawyer, has just
retired from active practice.
Professor James, who is an expert in Victorian
poetry, will be giving a lecture tonight.
You can take away the clause (in red) and you still know
EXACTLY who the writer is talking about. The subject is
clearly identified by, in this case, his name. The clause simply
provides extra information, parenthetical information. You
can remove the clause and it’s perfectly who just retired from
active practice and who will be giving a lecture tonight.
The clause is nonessential so it is nonrestrictive. Since it’s not
essential to your understanding , you need to surround it with
commas.
REMEMBER
If the noun being described by your clause is
already clearly defined, then your clause is
providing parenthetical or extra information.
PARENTHETICAL INFORMATION=
NONESSENTIAL INFORMATION=
NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSE=
COMMAS SURROUNDING THE CLAUSE
REQUIRED
 What?!?!? Restricted Claus? Just what is Santa
watching on that computer of his?
 When the relative clause limits or restricts or identifies the noun or pronoun
it modifies, it is restrictive, and it is not set off by commas. Look at the
difference between these two sentences.
 My sister who has three children is named Jane.
 (restrictive)
 My youngest sister, who has three children, is named Jane.
(nonrestrictive)
 Apparently, the writer has more than one sister. In the first sentence, the
clause identifies which sister she’s talking about, the one with three children.
The clause is essential or restrictive, so no commas are needed. In the
second sentence, the same clause has become nonessential or nonrestrictive.
Why? Because we already know which sister the writer is talking about, her
YOUNGEST sister. The clause now holds extra information and needs
commas surrounding it. If you remove the clause from the first sentence
you may think the writer only has one sister. You change the meaning and
your understanding. If you remove the clause from the second sentence, you
still understand what the author is trying to say.
 If the relative clause IDENTIFIES or RESTRICTS or
LIMITS the noun it’s describing, then your clause is
providing information ESSENTIAL to the reader’s
understanding.
 ESSENTIAL INFORMATION=
 RESTRICTIVE CLAUSE=
 NO COMMAS