Non-restrictive vs. Restrictive Adjective Clauses
Name:________________
Directions: Add commas where necessary.
1. Only people who speak Russian should apply for the job. correct
2. Irina, who speaks Russian, applied for the job. Commas needed
3. Marco and Guillermo, who did not come to class yesterday, explained their absence to
the instructor. Commas needed
4. The students who did not come to class yesterday explained their absence to the teacher.
correct
5. The geologist who lectured at Browning Hall last night predicted another earthquake.
correct
6. Dr. Fields, who lectured at Browning Hall last night, predicted another earthquake.
Commas needed
7. The rice which we had for dinner last night was very good. correct
8. Rice, which is grown in many countries, is a staple food throughout much of the world.
Commas needed
9. I have good memories of my hometown, which is situated in the mountains. Commas
needed
10. I live in a town which is situated in the mountains. Acceptable, though I would prefer
“that,” since the relative clause is restrictive.
11. The Mississippi River, which flows south from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, is the
major commercial river in the United States. Commas needed
12. A river which is polluted is not safe for swimming. correct
13. The man whom I spoke to was wearing a black hat. Correct. The man, who must have
been in his forties, really scared me. Commas needed
14. We enjoyed Mexico City, where we spent our vacation. Correct
Directions: Complete the sentences with the relative pronouns who, whom, which, whose,
where, when. Then answer the Yes/No questions.
1. George Washington is the president _whose_picture is on a one-dollar bill.
A. Can you put the relative pronoun "that" in the blank? Yes No
B. Can you delete the relative pronoun? Yes No
2. I like the people with _____whom__ I work.
A. Can you put the relative pronoun "that" in the blank? Yes No
B. Can you delete the relative pronoun? Yes No
3. Have you seen the movie __that__ is playing at the Harvard Movie Theater?
A. Can you put the relative pronoun "that" in the blank? Yes No
B. Can you delete the relative pronoun? Yes No (You could delete the “that is,”
but then you would have a participle phrase modifying “movie.” You would no longer
have a restrictive clause.)
4. Do you know the woman _whom_John is engaged to?
A. Can you put the relative pronoun "that" in the blank? Yes No (Actually, “that”
would sound OK, but it is better to use “who” and “whom” with people and “that” with
things.)
B. Can you delete the relative pronoun? Yes No
5. We are planning to go to Albany, __which_ is the capital of New York.
A. Can you put the relative pronoun "that" in the blank? Yes No
B. Can you delete the relative pronoun? Yes No (You could omit the “which is,”
and then “the capital of New York” would be an appositive noun.)
6. A thermometer is an instrument __that_ measures the temperature.
A. Can you put the relative pronoun "that" in the blank? Yes No
B. Can you delete the relative pronoun? Yes No
7. I have a friend __whose__ father is a famous artist.
A. Can you put the relative pronoun "that" in the blank? Yes No
B. Can you delete the relative pronoun? Yes No
8. December 25th is the day on which_ Christians celebrate Christmas.
A. Can you put the relative pronoun "that" in the blank? Yes No
B. Can you delete the relative pronoun? Yes No
9. The neighborhood ___where__I live is not safe.
A. Can you put the relative pronoun "that" in the blank? Yes No
B. Can you delete the relative pronoun? Yes No
10. People __who__ live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
A. Can you put the relative pronoun "that" in the blank? Yes No
B. Can you delete the relative pronoun? Yes No