CH 25 NOTES

(CONTINUED)
COMMAS INDEPENDENT CLAUSES, NONESSENTIAL
CLAUSES, AND ESSENTIAL CLAUSES

INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
Independent clauses in a series are usually separated
by ____SEMICOLONS__________. Short independent
clauses, however, may be separated by commas.
Example (separated by comma):

We swam, we jogged, and we

exercised.

Nonessential Clauses and Phrases

Nonessential Clauses and Phrases
A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) clause or
participial phrase is one containing information that
isnt needed to understand the
___MAIN_____
______IDEA________
of the sentence.

Nonessential - clauses
Nonessential clauses:
Emilia Ortiz, who lives across the street from me,
won a scholarship to Stanford University.

The capital of Massachusetts is Boston, which is

sometimes called the Athens of America.

Nonessentials phrases
Nonessential phrases:
Kelly, waiting outside the stage door, got the band
leaders autograph.
Robert Hayden, born in Detroit, was educated at the
University of Michigan and later became a distinguished
professor there.

Essential clauses and phrases

An essential (or restrictive) phrase or clause is one
that cant be left out without changing the meaning of
the sentence. Essential clauses and phrases are NOT set
off by commas.

Essential - phrases
Essential phrases:
Student planning to try out for a role in the play should
sign up no later than Friday afternoon.

Two poems written by Lorna Dee Cervantes are

included in our literature book.

Essential clauses
Essential clauses:
The sophomores who made the Honor Roll were
listed in the paper.
Library books that are lost or damaged must be paid for.
NOTE: Adjective clauses beginning with that, like the
one in the example above, are nearly always essential.

Some can be either:

The presence or absence of commas tell the reader
how the clause or phrase relates to the main idea of
the sentence.

Nonessential vs Essential - clauses

Examples: (clauses)
Nonessential Clause: Marlas sister, who attends
Stanford University, sent her a sweatshirt.

Essential Clause: Marlas sister who attends Stanford

University sent her a sweatshirt.

Nonessential vs Essential - phrases

Examples: (phrases)
Nonessential Phrase: My former lab partner, now living
in Chicago, visited me last week.
Essential Phrase: My former lab partner now living in
Chicago visited me last week.