Table of Contents
What is a nonessential subordinate clause?
Remember that a subordinate, or dependent, clause has a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand alone. Other adjective clauses are nonessential. This means that they could be removed and the sentence will still mean the same thing. They are just extra information that might be nice to know, but is not necessary.
How do you know if a phrase is essential or nonessential?
A phrase or clause is nonessential if it can be removed without changing the main idea of the sentence; a nonessential element just adds a relatively unimportant detail. Essential (or restrictive) elements, on the other hand, are not set off by commas because they are too important to be removed from a sentence.
What is used to set off nonessential clauses?
Commas with Nonessential Elements These nonessential elements, which can be words, phrases, or clauses, are set off with commas. Rule: Use commas before and after nonessential words, phrases, and clauses, that is, elements embedded in the sentence that interrupt it without changing the essential meaning.
What’s another name for a non-essential clause?
Non-essential clauses — also known as “parenthetical” or “non-restrictive” clauses — are among the most important concepts tested on both SAT Writing and ACT English.
What is an example of a nonessential clause?
For example, in “Fall, which is my favorite season, begins next week,” “which is my favorite season” is a nonessential clause that does not affect the statement “Fall begins next week.” Because it does not restrict or modify the word Fall, the clause can also be described as nonrestrictive; in contrast, since an …
What is an example of a nonrestrictive clause?
A nonrestrictive element describes a word whose meaning is already clear without the additional words. It is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and is set off with commas. Example: The children needed sturdy shoes, which were expensive. In this sentence we learn an extra fact—the shoes were expensive.
How do you identify an essential clause?
Essential clauses (restrictive, or relative, clauses) includes information that is important to the meaning of the sentence. That: The word “that” refers to objects or places and is the biggest indicator of an essential clause (versus “which,” which is a tell-tale of a non-essential clause).
How do you identify a non essential clause?
To test if a clause is indeed nonessential, leave it out and reread the sentence. If the main point of the sentence is not lost or distorted, then, yes, it is nonessential and needs punctuation. Otherwise, it is essential and no punctuation is required.
What is an essential clause and examples?
Essential clauses (restrictive, or relative, clauses) includes information that is important to the meaning of the sentence. That: It introduces a descriptive or informative phrase that adds important details to a sentence. Example: The book that Dr. Doright left in the dining hall showed up on his desk today.
What is clause example?
A clause is a group of words that contain a subject (the noun or pronoun about which something is being said, usually the doer of the action) and a verb (a doing word). An example of a clause is: The fast, red squirrel darted up a tree. The subject of this clause is the fast, red squirrel and the verb is ‘darted’.
Is for example a nonessential clause?
What are examples of relative clauses?
I won’t stand by the man who smells of slime. In this example, the relative clause is ‘who smells of slime’. It provides more information about the man. The relative pronoun, ‘who’, is used to connect these clauses in the sentence.
What are non essential clauses?
Non-Essential Clauses. Non-essential clauses, in contrast to essential clauses, include information that isn’t essential to the meaning of the sentence. Instead, non-essential clauses provide “extra” or “bonus” information. They can be removed from the sentence, and the sentence will still BE a sentence with its main point intact. Let’s have a look:
What is an essential clause?
An essential clause is a relative clause that limits a general, ambiguous noun. The essential clause tells the reader which one of many the writer means. Read these examples:
What is a nonessential expression?
A nonessential phrase is a word phrase or clause that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.