Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses

Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses

Restrictive Clause

A restrictive clause is a relative or adjective clause that provides essential information about the noun previously used in the sentence.

• The book that you took from the library is not available in the market.

In this example, the restrictive clause is “that you took from the library”. If we take away the relative clause from the sentence, it will become as:

• The book is not available in the market.

Both of the sentences are grammatically correct, but they are completely different based on their intent. The first example identifies the noun “book”. The information in the restrictive clause is essential but not additional.

Formation of Restrictive Clause

Restrictive clauses are created by using relative pronouns. Relative pronouns are not separated by commas from the nouns they identify when the relative pronouns create restrictive clauses.

• The person who was begging is not poor.
• I like the dog whose color is black with white spots.
• They hired the employee whom I interviewed last week.
• The website that I visit regularly is Study English Page.
• The company which I joined this year is very respectable.

Remember that Americans use that instead of which as a relative pronoun in restrictive relative clauses.

Nonrestrictive Clause 

A nonrestrictive clause is a type of relative clause that provides additional information about the noun previously used in the sentence.  

• My father, who always helps the poor, does not waste his hard-earned in buying extravagant items.

In this example, the nonrestrictive clause “who always helps the poor” provides extra or additional information about the noun phrase “my father”. If we omit the nonrestrictive clause, the indent of the sentence does not change.

The example without the nonrestrictive clause becomes as:

• My father does not waste his hard-earned in buying extravagant items.

How to Form a Nonrestrictive Clause 

A nonrestrictive clause is created by using a relative pronoun (except that) offset by commas.

My friend, who studies at a university, called me yesterday and told me everything he had discussed with you.

• I have put the pen, which I bought yesterday, on the table.
• John, whose brother is my colleague, invited me to the party.

Key Points

 Which vs That

Americans use that to introduce a restrictive clause and which to introduce a nonrestrictive clause.

In British English, the relative pronoun “which” can be used to introduce a restrictive clause.

• Give me the knife which you bought yesterday. (British Style)
• Give me the knife that you bought yesterday. (American Style)
• Give me the knife, which is stainless, to cut the meat.

Omitting Relative Pronouns

We can often make a sentence more natural sounding by removing the relative pronouns “who, that, or which”.

• The cat that you feed is very beautiful.
• The cat you feed is very beautiful.

Difference between Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses

They both give more information about the nouns used earlier. A restrictive clause gives more information about the noun and specifies the noun.

On the other hand, a nonrestrictive clause just gives additional information without specifying it.

• My student who delivered a speech brightened our school’s name.
• My student, who delivered a speech, brightened our school’s name.

In the first example, the relative clause specifies the noun “student”. It means that there is one student who has secured high marks.

In the second example, the nonrestrictive clause just gives additional information. It means that more than one student has secured high marks.