A restrictive clause functions like an adjective. It is used to further identify the noun it is modifying. It provides additional information for the noun it is describing. Without a restrictive clause, the sentence will appear to be missing important information. Commas are not necessary when using a restrictive clause.
A nonrestrictive clause functions like an adjective. It is used to further identify the noun it is modifying. It provides additional information for the noun it is describing. However, it is not necessary for the sentence to be clear. A nonrestrictive clause is separated by a comma or placed in between two commas.
Directions: Which answer is the restrictive clause or the nonrestrictive clause?
1) I keep my soda in the refrigerator, which is made of stainless steel.
a. which is made of stainless steel
b. I keep my soda in the refrigerator
2) That dress that she wore last night was beautiful.
a. that she wore last night
b. That dress was beautiful
3) I can't remember the restaurant that has the tasty desserts.
a. I can't remember the restaurant
b. that has the tasty desserts
4) Mark, whom we trusted, is a liar.
a. Mark is a liar
b. whom we trusted
5) The sales clerk who smiles and greets people was given a promotion.
a. who smiles and greets people
b. The sales clerk was given a promotion
6) I don't think I passed my last exam which was in math.
a. which was in math
b. I don't think I passed my last exam
7) We are going to eat pizza, which is my favorite food.
a. which is my favorite food
b. We are going to eat pizza
8) Ron, who is my brother, is the tallest boy on the basketball team.
a. who is my brother
b. Ron is the tallest boy on the basketball team
9) The person who stole my phone is a jerk.
a. who stole my phone
b. The person is a jerk
10) My break time, which is five minutes, is too short.
a. My break time is too short
b. which is five minutes
Directions: Is the underlined part a restrictive clause or a nonrestrictive clause?
1) I keep my soda in the refrigerator,
which is made of stainless steel.
a. Restrictive
b. Nonrestrictive
2) That dress
that she wore last night was beautiful.
a. Restrictive
b. Nonrestrictive
3) I can't remember the restaurant
that has the tasty desserts.
a. Restrictive
b. Nonrestrictive
4) Mark,
whom we trusted, is a liar.
a. Restrictive
b. Nonrestrictive
5) The sales clerk
who smiles and greets people was given a promotion.
a. Restrictive
b. Nonrestrictive
6) I don't think I passed my exam
which was in math.
a. Restrictive
b. Nonrestrictive
7) We are going to eat pizza,
which is my favorite food.
a. Restrictive
b. Nonrestrictive
8) Ron,
who is my brother, is the tallest boy on the basketball team.
a. Restrictive
b. Nonrestrictive
9) The person
who stole my phone is a jerk.
a. Restrictive
b. Nonrestrictive
10) My break time,
which is five minutes, is too short.
a. Restrictive
b. Nonrestrictive
Quiz 1 Answers
1) a. which is made of stainless steel
2) a. that she wore last night
3) b. that has the tasty desserts
4) b. whom we trusted
5) a. who smiles and greets people
6) a. which was in math
7) a. which is my favorite food
8) a. who is my brother
9) a. who stole my phone
10) b. which is five minutes
Quiz 2 Answers
1) b. Nonrestrictive
2) a. Restrictive
3) a. Restrictive
4) b. Nonrestrictive
5) a. Restrictive
6) a. Restrictive
7) b. Nonrestrictive
8) b. Nonrestrictive
9) a. Restrictive
10) b. Nonrestrictive
