Nonrestrictive relative clause definition and examples. Restrictive relative clauses are not set off by commas, while nonrestrictive relative clauses are. This smartphone, i bought last week, takes great photos. As a result, the additional information is not essential and if the nonrestrictive element was removed it would not significantly change your understanding of the sentence. One way to remember this is that nonrestrictive clauses are removable, and commas mark the removable part of the sentence. Phrasal verbs come and go 1 intermediate prepositions and adverbs 1 intermediate advanced grammar quizzes. Dublin, is the capital of ireland, is my favourite city. This is a short presentation explaning nonrestrictive relative clauses. Complete the sentences with relative pronouns or relative adverbs. Relative clauses defining and nondefining that, which. Both that and which can be used in this relative clause and the pronoun can be left out because there is a subject.
The boys who created trouble in the class were suspended. It does not single it out among others that could exist in the context. 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 nonrestrictive clauses are. The sentence in italics should become the relative clause.
In other words, a nonrestrictive relative clause, also known as a nondefining relative clause, doesnt limit or restrict the noun or noun phrase it modifies. You have reached the section devoted to defining and nondefining relative clauses which are some intimidating phrases so you might want to leave them out of your introduction and focus on the important stuff such as how to form and use them. Nondefining relative clauses are not used in spoken english. Adjectival clauses are dependent clauses, and usually begin with a relative pronoun which, that, who, whom or whose or a relative adverb where, when, and why. The two types of relative clauses, restrictive and nonrestrictive, fulfill different functions and need different punctuation. Nonrestrictive clauses unfamiliar and complexsounding grammatical terms can often intimidate people. Nondefining relative clauses nondefining relative clauses are used between commas, and they add extra information which is not necessary to know who or what we are talking about. To access courses again, please join linkedin learning. A nonrestrictive clause, on the other hand, describes a noun in a nonessential way.
It depends on how many backyards your grandmother has. Restrictive and nonrestrictive adjective clauses a restrictive adjective clause limits or narrows the meaning of the sentence in which it appears. Generally, there are two types of relative clauses. There should be no commas before and after the clause. Because they are essential to the sentence, restrictive adjective clauses. However once you get used to the vocabulary, talking about and understanding grammar becomes easier.
If the relative pronoun is not followed by a verb but by a noun or pronoun, the relative pronoun is an object pronoun. A nonrestrictive clause looks to the noun modified and adds information about it. Amelia, mother is from shanghai, speaks english and chinese fluently. My sister, who i truly admire, is coming for thanksgiving. Worksheets are nonrestrictive and restrictive words phrases and clauses, restrictionnonrestriction aka essentialnonessential, when you have nonrestrictive nonessential, commas six basic uses, appositives restrictive and non restrictive what is an, commas basic lesson 1 commas after introductory elements, written by sarah andersen revised september. Nonrestrictive relative clauses a nonrestrictive relative clause describes a noun or pronoun whose meaning is already defined or limited.
A clause is a group of words consisting of a noun and a verb which may or may not be a complete sentence. Write sentences to describe people in box a using the information in box b. A nonrestrictive relative clause is a relative clause also called an adjective clause that adds nonessential information to a sentence. It will also help you to create a variety of sentence types, which helps make your writing stylistically interesting. For example, the pair of sentences given below convey the same information.
Bbc learning english quiznet nondefining relative clauses. The sentence must have that clause or the meaning changes. The second sentence just happens to give some additional information. However, sometimes a relative clause is so important that the main sentence will be difficult to understand or have no meaning without it. Relative clauses exercise 1 perfect english grammar. In other words, if a nonrestrictive clause were taken out of the sentence the sentence would carry essentially the same meaning. Restrictive clauses limit or identify such nouns and cannot be removed from a sentence without changing the sentences meaning. The worksheet may be used as a followup activity after grammar explanation. Nondefining relative pronouns exercise three things about nondefining relative clauses. You can remember the difference by remembering that non restrictive clauses are not necessary to the sentence. Restrictive and nonrestrictive elements worksheets. To understand the distinctions between that and which it is necessary to understand defining restrictive and nondefining nonrestrictive clauses learning these distinctions is one technical aspect of grammar that every user of english should understand, because it is at the root of an assortment of grammatical errors. The mobile phone that i bought for my sister is very expensive. A restrictive relative clause is one that serves to restrict the reference of the noun phrase modified.
Join judy steinerwilliams for an indepth discussion in this video restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses, part of grammar foundations. Answer key 1 fill in the gaps with a suitable relative pronoun. Restrictive, nonrestrictive clauses writing explained. As a general rule, the pronoun that should be used for restrictive relative clauses, and which should be used for nonrestrictive relative clauses. Restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses by daniel scocco in each pair of sentences below, choose the version that correctly indicates through word and punctuation choice whether an explanatory phrase is restrictive or nonrestrictive. A restrictive clause modifies the noun that precedes it in an essential way. We stood in my grandmothers backyard which was covered in dead leaves. Restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses and phrases when you have nonrestrictive nonessential elements in a sentence, set them off with commas. Complete the exercise with who, whom, whose or where. Defining relative clauses exercise 1 make one sentence from the two short ones. Free definingnondefining relative clauses worksheets. Relative pronouns are mostly used when combining sentences in which a word or phrase is repeated.
The letter thatwhich peter has sent to you is in the drawer. It can be used in a defining relative clause to define the noun it supports. 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. Like any pronoun, relative pronouns are substituted for nouns and other pronouns that functions as subjects or objects in a sentence.
A nonrestrictive clause is one that is nonessential to the meaning of the sentence element that it modifies. English grammar relative clauses relative clauses introduction there are two types of relative clauses. Choose the correct relative pronoun or relative adverb. Buckingham palace, the queen of england lives, is in the.
Restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses a restrictive clause contains information which is necessary for the sentence to deliver the meaning intended. Defining and nondefining relative clauses test english. Nonrestrictive relative clauses are also called nondefining relative clauses in both restrictive and nonrestrictive relative clauses, the relative pronoun can act as the subject or object. She worked for a man who that used to be an athlete.
Restrictive the people who live in the apartment above mine make a lot of noise at night. Defining relative clauses 1 in pdf here defining relative clauses 2 in pdf here defining relative clauses 3 in pdf here defining relative clauses 4 in pdf here go to the main relative clauses explanation page here. In 3, the restrictive relative clause who lives in canada restricts my sister by specifying the sister in canada. Note that in writing a nondefining or nonrestrictive relative clause is separated from the main clause by commas. Relative clause exercise 1 2 advanced relative clause exercise 3 4 intermediate pdf exercises.
Defining and nondefining relative clauses intermediate. Defining relative clauses these describe the preceding noun in such a way as to distinguish it from other nouns. A relative clause is an added part in a sentence that is used in relation to the main sentence. Restrictive relative clauses are also called defining relative clauses. This worksheet provides three exercises to practice relative clauses. Object pronouns can be dropped in defining relative clauses, which are then called contact clauses. Underline the relative adjective clauses used in the following sentences and identity the nouns modified by them. Heres a little bit about how to distinguish between the two. Marco and guillermo who did not come to class yesterday explained their absence to the instructor. A relative clause is also known as an adjective clause.
Understanding different groups of words that make up sentences will help you to create sentences that are clear, concise, and convey exactly the meaning you intend. A nonrestrictive clause can be removed without changing the meaning. Grammar check restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses part a. A nonrestrictive clause, also called a parenthetical or an appositive, contains information that is extra. Heres a list of all the relative clause exercises on the site. Please contact me if you have any questions or ntact me if you have any questions or comments. Nonrestrictive and restrictive words, phrases and clauses overview. Next weekend im going to glasgow, where my sister lives. Restrictive and nonrestrictive adjective clauses exercise. A nonrestrictive clause is also called a nondefining clause. Restrictive relative clauses follow immediately after the noun that they modify.
A restrictive clause introduces information that is necessary to the meaning of the sentence. Complete the sentences with whose, who, which, or where. My brother who lives in sidney came to see me last month. A restrictive clause provides information that is pertinent or essential to the meaning of the sentence. With 93 relative clause worksheets to choose from, you should be able to find something here that your. Only people who speak russian should apply for the job. They are not separated by pauses in speech or commas in writing. The sentence implies that the speaker has more than one sister, but only one sister in canada is a biologist. A nondefining relative clause can be easily left out. Gerunds and infinitives 2 advanced prepositions and adverbs 1 advanced prepositions and adverbs 2 advanced advanced grammar. Nonrestrictive relative clauses in construction based hpsg. In the sentence the dragon who breathed blue fire has retired, who breathed blue fire is a relative clause.
Nonrestrictive and restrictive words, phrases and clauses. Nonrestrictive clauses relative clauses can be broken down into two types. A b a thief a dentist takes photographs is very intelligent. The relative clause is closed off by commas and is quite similar to information in brackets. Practice on the defining and nondefining relative clauses. 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. The gym, which was very crowded today, is closed tomorrow. Write r on the line if the sentence contains a restrictive clause and nr if it contains a nonrestrictive clause. What are restrictive and nonrestrictive adjective clauses. Such a relative clause which defines or identifies its antecedent the noun phrase is called a defining or restrictive relative clause. Study the situations and then decide whether the following relative clauses are defining or nondefining. You must decide if the information is essential or not.
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