Essential (Restrictive) and Non-Essential (Non-Restrictive) Clauses and Phrases
EXERCISES
Decide which clauses or phrases are non-essential and which are essential and punctuate
accordingly.
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Mr. John McCarthy who lives in Toronto is kind and intelligent.
The Mr. John McCarthy who lives in Toronto is kind, but the one who lives in
Ottawa is cruel.
A clause which gives no necessary information is non-essential.
Psychiatrists who hate to talk to people are usually unsuccessful.
The second clause which was clearly non-essential was set off with commas.
All fraternity men who get caught growing marijuana will be expelled.
My great-grandfather Baldwin who spent most of his life in Alberta used to
make his own hickory furniture.
Priscilla was determined to marry no man who could not repair a wristwatch.
The person who draws the lucky number will receive a four-pound codfish.
The old gentleman frying tomatoes is the city constable.
“Silent Night,” now being sung by the North Bay Children’s Choir is my
favorite hymn.
Perkins working overtime on Saturdays hoped to finish the job by September.
The question of thermodynamics in family life which so many scientists have
ignored is fully treated in one of John Black’s last books.
I often felt that Mrs. Twig was not fond of either of her children, but it was
clearly the daughter whom she hated.
Redwoods growing on the crest of mountains seldom attain a height of more
than 50 feet.
Colonel Stone who had been 3 years in Africa began to grow homesick.
The Germans who lost the war suffered fewer casualties than did the victors.
My aunt who lives in Kingston will spend Christmas with me.
The old house which is situated on the hill has finally been sold.
J.B. Smith who lives only two blocks away owns a purple cow.
John Jiles who just inherited a million dollars is now celebrating in the pub.
Sally Thompson whom you will meet tonight is my third cousin.
People who know 40 languages are geniuses.
Please help all the students who fail this exam.
The author is Samuel Johnson who was born in England.