RESTRICTIVE AND NONRESTRICTIVE ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

1. Definition a. A restrictive adjective clause is one that is necessary to identify the noun that it modifies. b. A restrictive clause provides essential or identifying information and does not require commas. Examples a. The p ofesso who/that teaches English 11 1 is an e!cellent teacher. b. c. d. #. 1. Definition a. A nonrestrictive clause is one that is not necessary to identify the noun that it modifies. b. A nonrestrictive clause provides additional% but nonessential information and requires the use of commas. Examples a. ' ofesso (a%h$ who teaches English 11 1$ is an e!cellent professor. b. Sall) Ri*e$ whom you met at my party$ is a former astronaut. c. The +iami (e al*$ which is on the table$ has an interesting article on polar bears. d. Dateline$ which # watched last night$ was informative. Explanation a. $he adjective clauses in these e!amples are not necessary to identify the nouns that they modify. )e *now which professor% woman% newspaper and $+ show because they have been identified by name% so the information provided in the adjective clause is additional or nonessential. b. &onrestrictive 'nonessential( clauses cannot be introduced with that% and the pronoun object cannot be eliminated.

2.

2.

The tele"ision sho! which/that/" # watched last night was informative. Explanation a. $he adjectives clauses in these e!amples are essential in order to identify which professor% which woman% which newspaper% or which television show is meant.

The !oman whom/that/" you met at my party is a former astronaut. The ne!spape which/that is on the table has an interesting article on polar bears.

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b.

&otice that restrictive 'essential( clauses can be introduced with that$ !ho$ !hom$ or !hi%h and that the object pronoun can be eliminated '&( in e!amples b and d.

,eslie -iaggi% . / 0iami12ade 3ollege 2ocument downloaded from the 4or the 3lassroom area of $he 5rammar E!change website% www.longman.com/grammare!change. 6earson Education.