Restrictive & Nonrestrictive Clauses

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What is a restrictive clause?

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A restrictive clause is a part of a sentence that provides essential information about the noun it modifies. It is necessary for the meaning of the sentence and does not require commas. Example: 'The book that I borrowed is interesting.'

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What is a nonrestrictive clause?

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A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information to a sentence but is not essential to its meaning. It is usually set off by commas. Example: 'My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us.'

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How do you identify a restrictive clause in a sentence?

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A restrictive clause can be identified by checking if the sentence's meaning changes without it. If it does, the clause is restrictive.

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How do you identify a nonrestrictive clause in a sentence?

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A nonrestrictive clause can be identified by checking if the sentence still makes sense without it. If it does, the clause is nonrestrictive.

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What punctuation is used with nonrestrictive clauses?

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Nonrestrictive clauses are set off by commas.

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What punctuation is used with restrictive clauses?

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Restrictive clauses do not use commas.

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Example of a sentence with a restrictive clause.

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The car that is parked outside is mine.

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Example of a sentence with a nonrestrictive clause.

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My sister, who is a doctor, lives in California.

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What is the effect of removing a restrictive clause from a sentence?

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Removing a restrictive clause can change the meaning of the sentence.

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What is the effect of removing a nonrestrictive clause from a sentence?

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Removing a nonrestrictive clause does not change the main meaning of the sentence.