Nonrestrictive Clause: What Is a Nonrestrictive Clause?

In a recent post we explained how a restrictive (essential) clause includes information that will change the meaning of a sentence if removed. Today we will look at its grammatical companion, the nonrestrictive (nonessential) clause.

As its name suggests, a nonrestrictive clause is one that can be taken away from a sentence without changing understanding of the sentence. However, the clause may add information, detail, or specificity.

Examples of Nonrestrictive Clauses

Regular readers of our blog will know that seeing grammar principles in action is always helpful. Let’s look at an example of a nonrestrictive clause in a sentence.

My classmate, who had just been to the stylist, got chewing gum caught in her hair.

In this example, who had just been to the stylist is a nonrestrictive clause. We could take it out of the sentence without changing the meaning or intent. We would just lose a little bit of detail and context.

We also know from the nonrestrictive construction that we are talking about one particular classmate. If the clause was restrictive, we would need the information to identify one classmate from what could be several.

Let’s look at another example:

The car, which had been starting slowly for months, began coughing black smoke this morning.

The clause which had been starting slowly for months adds a bit of background to the sentence. If we remove it, though, we get this:

The car began coughing black smoke this morning.

It’s not as specific, but it still provides the core information.

Beyond the essential versus nonessential test, another way to quickly spot a nonrestrictive clause is to note if the clause has commas on either side. Let’s look at one last example:

The store, which charges top prices, caters to an audience with significant disposable income.

You see the clause which charges top prices has commas before and after it. We could remove the text between the commas without altering the meaning of the sentence.

The store caters to an audience with significant disposable income.

 

Pop Quiz

Identify the nonrestrictive clauses in the following sentences.

1. My cousin, who still owes me money, is going on an expensive vacation.
2. The cat, which meowed in the alley all night, ran away when I tried to feed her.
3. Our office party, which had been delayed for weeks, is finally being held on Friday.
4. Harry’s professor, who always emphasized the importance of good behavior, was seen being led away in handcuffs.
5. I never really trusted my neighbor, who always sat inside smoking with his blinds drawn.

 

Pop Quiz Answers

1. My cousin, who still owes me money, is going on an expensive vacation.
2. The cat, which meowed in the alley all night, ran away when I tried to feed her.
3. Our office party, which had been delayed for weeks, is finally being held on Friday.
4. Harry’s professor, who always emphasized the importance of good behavior, was seen being led away in handcuffs.
5. I never really trusted my neighbor, who always sat inside smoking with his blinds drawn.

 

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2 responses to “Nonrestrictive Clause: What Is a Nonrestrictive Clause?”

1. Adow says:

   May 21, 2021, at 9:53 am

   Very helpful, leaning a lot in your daily blogposts, from Kenya. Is this sentence nonrestrictive in nature?

   • GrammarBook.com says:

     June 1, 2021, at 7:31 pm

     If we recast your expressed thoughts in formal English, we would write them as two nonrestrictive clauses:
     This is very helpful. I am learning a lot from Kenya by reading your daily blog posts.