What is a Nonrestrictive Clause? Nonrestrictive Clause Examples - 98thPercentile

ElevatEd
English
April 28, 2025

When we communicate, we often want to provide extra details to help our listeners or readers understand our message better. In writing, we use various techniques to add these details without disrupting the flow of our sentences. One such technique is the nonrestrictive clause.

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A nonrestrictive clause is a phrase or group of words that provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. However, unlike restrictive clauses, nonrestrictive clauses don't affect the basic meaning of the sentence. They're like bonus details that enhance our understanding but aren't essential to the sentence's core message.

Nonrestrictive clauses are usually set off by commas, which helps to separate them from the rest of the sentence. They can be found in various forms, such as relative clauses, participial phrases, or infinitive phrases. By using nonrestrictive clauses effectively, writers can add depth, clarity, and interest to their writing, making it more engaging and informative for their readers.

Definition:

A nonrestrictive clause is a dependent clause that provides additional, nonessential information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. It does not affect the basic meaning of the sentence and can be removed without changing the sentence's core message.

Explanation:

Nonrestrictive clauses are used to add extra details, descriptions, or explanations to a sentence. They are called "nonrestrictive" because they do not restrict or limit the meaning of the noun or pronoun they modify.

Nonrestrictive clauses are typically set off from the rest of the sentence by commas, which helps to separate them from the main clause. They can be found in various forms, such as:

- Relative clauses (e.g., "which," "who," "whom")

- Participial phrases (e.g., "running," "jumping")

- Infinitive phrases (e.g., "to run," "to jump")

Characteristics of nonrestrictive clauses:

1. Nonessential information: Nonrestrictive clauses provide additional information that is not essential to the sentence's meaning.

2. Dependent clause: Nonrestrictive clauses are dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

3. Set off by commas: Nonrestrictive clauses are often set off from the rest of the sentence by commas.

4. Cannot be a complete sentence: Nonrestrictive clauses cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

How to identify a Non restrictive clauses

1. Must be connected to an independent clause: Nonrestrictive clauses must be connected to an independent clause to form a complete sentence.

2. Provides additional description: Nonrestrictive clauses often provide additional description or explanation about a noun or pronoun in the sentence.

3. Can be removed without affecting the sentence's meaning: Nonrestrictive clauses can be removed from the sentence without affecting its basic meaning.

4. Typically starts with a relative pronoun: Nonrestrictive clauses often start with relative pronouns like "which," "who," or "whom."

Key Information about nonrestrictive clauses:

Structural Features

Dependent clause: Nonrestrictive clauses are dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Subordinating conjunctions: Nonrestrictive clauses often start with subordinating conjunctions like "which," "who," "whom," "although," or "because."
Participial phrases: Nonrestrictive clauses can also be participial phrases, starting with a participle (a verb form ending in "-ing" or "-ed").

Punctuation Features

Commas: Nonrestrictive clauses are often set off from the rest of the sentence by commas.
Dashes: Nonrestrictive clauses can also be set off by dashes, especially if they provide a parenthetical remark.
Parentheses: Nonrestrictive clauses can be enclosed in parentheses to indicate that they provide additional, nonessential information.

Semantic Features

Nonessential information: Nonrestrictive clauses provide additional information that is not essential to the sentence's meaning.
Descriptive or explanatory: Nonrestrictive clauses often describe or explain a noun or pronoun in the sentence.
Separable from the main clause: Nonrestrictive clauses can be removed from the sentence without affecting its basic meaning.

Syntactic Features

Cannot be a complete sentence: Nonrestrictive clauses cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Must be connected to an independent clause: Nonrestrictive clauses must be connected to an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
Can be moved within the sentence: Nonrestrictive clauses can often be moved to different positions within the sentence without affecting its meaning.

Steps to help you identify nonrestrictive clauses:

Step 1: Look for dependent clauses

Nonrestrictive clauses are dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. They often start with relative pronouns (e.g., "which," "who," "whom"), subordinating conjunctions (e.g., "although," "because"), or participial phrases.

Step 2: Check for commas

Nonrestrictive clauses are often set off from the rest of the sentence by commas. If you see a comma separating a clause from the rest of the sentence, it may be a nonrestrictive clause.

Step 3: Ask yourself if the clause is essential

If you remove the clause from the sentence, does the sentence still make sense? If the answer is yes, the clause is likely nonrestrictive.

Step 4: Check for relative pronouns

Nonrestrictive clauses often start with relative pronouns like "which," "who," or "whom." If you see one of these pronouns, check to see if the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning.

Step 5: Read the sentence aloud

Sometimes, reading the sentence aloud can help you determine if a clause is nonrestrictive. If the clause sounds like an aside or additional information, it's likely nonrestrictive.

Examples of nonrestrictive clauses with breakdown and explanation:

Example 1

Sentence: "The researcher, who spent years studying the phenomenon, published her findings."

Breakdown:

- "The researcher" is the main subject of the sentence.

- "who spent years studying the phenomenon" is a nonrestrictive relative clause providing additional information about the researcher.

- "published her findings" is the main verb phrase.

Explanation: The nonrestrictive clause "who spent years studying the phenomenon" provides additional information about the researcher, but it's not essential to the sentence's meaning. If you remove the clause, the sentence still makes sense: "The researcher published her findings."

Example 2

Sentence: "The new policy, implemented last quarter, has been a huge success."

Breakdown:

- "The new policy" is the main subject of the sentence.

- "implemented last quarter" is a nonrestrictive participial phrase providing additional information about the policy.

- "has been a huge success" is the main verb phrase.

Explanation: The nonrestrictive clause "implemented last quarter" provides additional information about the policy, but it's not essential to the sentence's meaning. If you remove the clause, the sentence still makes sense: "The new policy has been a huge success."

Example 3

Sentence: "The company's CEO, a highly respected business leader, announced her retirement."

Breakdown:

- "The company's CEO" is the main subject of the sentence.

- "a highly respected business leader" is a nonrestrictive appositive phrase providing additional information about the CEO.

- "announced her retirement" is the main verb phrase.

Explanation: The nonrestrictive clause "a highly respected business leader" provides additional information about the CEO, but it's not essential to the sentence's meaning. If you remove the clause, the sentence still makes sense: "The company's CEO announced her retirement."

Example 4

Sentence: "The city, which is known for its vibrant cultural scene, attracts millions of tourists each year."

Breakdown:

- "The city" is the main subject of the sentence.

- "which is known for its vibrant cultural scene" is a nonrestrictive relative clause providing additional information about the city.

- "attracts millions of tourists each year" is the main verb phrase.

Explanation: The nonrestrictive clause "which is known for its vibrant cultural scene" provides additional information about the city, but it's not essential to the sentence's meaning. If you remove the clause, the sentence still makes sense: "The city attracts millions of tourists each year."

Nonrestrictive clauses provide additional, nonessential information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. They are typically set off by commas and can be removed without affecting the sentence's basic meaning. Understanding nonrestrictive clauses can help improve sentence structure, clarity, and style in writing.

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FAQs

Q1: What is the purpose of a nonrestrictive clause?

Ans: A nonrestrictive clause provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence, but it's not essential to the sentence's meaning.

Q2: How do I identify a nonrestrictive clause?

Ans: To identify a nonrestrictive clause, look for a dependent clause that provides additional information about a noun or pronoun. Check if the clause is set off by commas and if it can be removed without affecting the sentence's meaning.

Q3: What is the difference between a restrictive and nonrestrictive clause?

Ans: A restrictive clause provides essential information about a noun or pronoun, whereas a nonrestrictive clause provides additional, nonessential information. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas, whereas nonrestrictive clauses are.

Q4: Can I remove a nonrestrictive clause from a sentence?

Ans: Yes, you can remove a nonrestrictive clause from a sentence without affecting its basic meaning. However, keep in mind that removing the clause may affect the sentence's clarity or style.

Q5: How do I punctuate a nonrestrictive clause?

Ans: Nonrestrictive clauses are typically set off by commas. If the clause begins with a relative pronoun like "which" or "who," use a comma to separate the clause from the rest of the sentence.