What is a Nonrestrictive clause?

What is a Nonrestrictive Clause?

A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information about a noun but doesn't change the sentence's main idea. Unlike restrictive clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence, nonrestrictive clauses can be removed without altering the core message.

For example:

• The car, which is red, belongs to my neighbor.

• My friend, who lives in New York, is visiting next week.

Nonrestrictive clauses often begin with relative pronouns like "which," "who," or "whom." They provide additional details but are not crucial for identifying the noun they describe. The sentence's meaning remains intact if the nonrestrictive clause is omitted.

Identifying Nonrestrictive Clauses

Nonrestrictive clauses are typically set off by commas and often use the word "which" rather than "that."

Here are key characteristics to help you identify them:

• They provide additional information that isn't crucial to the sentence's main point.

• They are separated by commas.

• They usually begin with "which" or "who."

Examples:

• The book, which was published last year, has become a bestseller.

• My brother, who is a doctor, works at the local hospital.

Nonrestrictive clauses are easy to identify by their punctuation and the extra information they provide. Always check if the clause can be removed without changing the sentence's primary meaning.

Functions and Uses of Nonrestrictive Clauses

Nonrestrictive clauses serve to enrich sentences by adding supplementary details, enhancing clarity, and improving the flow of information. They allow writers to include interesting facts or descriptions without disrupting the main message.

For instance:

• The cake, which was homemade, tasted delicious.

• Sarah's dog, who is very friendly, greeted everyone at the door.

By using nonrestrictive clauses, you can make your writing more informative and engaging. These clauses help to paint a fuller picture for the reader, making the content more relatable and detailed.

Punctuation Rules for Nonrestrictive Clauses

Proper punctuation is essential when using nonrestrictive clauses. 

Here are detailed guidelines:

• Use commas to separate nonrestrictive clauses from the rest of the sentence.

• Avoid omitting commas, as it can change the meaning of the sentence.

Common mistakes:

• Incorrect: My sister who lives in London is a teacher. (This suggests you have multiple sisters, and the clause is essential to identify which sister.)

• Correct: My sister, who lives in London, is a teacher.

Additional rules include:

• If a nonrestrictive clause comes at the end of a sentence, place a comma before it: "He showed me his car, which he had just bought."

• If a nonrestrictive clause is in the middle of a sentence, use a pair of commas to set it off: "Our house, which we bought five years ago, is finally paid off."

Practice sentences:

• The movie, which I watched yesterday, was fantastic.

• Our house, which we bought five years ago, is finally paid off.

• The CEO, who founded the company, is retiring next year.

• The park, where we often go for walks, is beautiful in the fall.

• My laptop, which I bought last month, is already having issues.

Practice Exercises and Examples

To solidify your understanding of nonrestrictive clauses, try these exercises:

1. Identify the nonrestrictive clause: "My car, which I bought last year, is very reliable."

2. Add a nonrestrictive clause: "The restaurant ___ serves the best pizza in town."

3. Rewrite with correct punctuation: "The dog that barks loudly is friendly."

4. Remove the nonrestrictive clause and check if the sentence still makes sense: "The teacher, who has 20 years of experience, is very knowledgeable."

Answers:

1. Nonrestrictive clause: "which I bought last year."

2. Possible answer: "The restaurant, which is downtown, serves the best pizza in town."

3. Corrected: "The dog, which barks loudly, is friendly." (This example shows a restrictive clause converted to nonrestrictive, but keep in mind the meaning might change.)

4. "The teacher is very knowledgeable." (The sentence still makes sense without the clause.)

Tips for mastering nonrestrictive clauses:

• Practice writing sentences with nonrestrictive clauses.

• Pay attention to comma placement to avoid common mistakes.

• Review examples regularly to reinforce your understanding.

• Read your sentences out loud to ensure the nonrestrictive clause flows naturally.

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• Restrictive clause