3. Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Words, Phrases, and Clauses

3. Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Words, Phrases, and Clauses

Objectives:

• Distinguish between restrictive and nonrestrictive phrases and clauses.

• Apply punctuation rules for commas, parentheses, dashes, and colons.

• Use parallel structure when writing.

• Use punctuation to add style and convey specific meaning.

Poll

Words to know. Which of the following devices do you know how to use correctly?

• appositive

• colon

• parallel structure

• restrictive/non-restrictive

• comma

How does punctuation convey meaning and add style to writing?

Think of punctuation like traffic signs that tell us how to proceed when reading a sentence. It can also add pauses and emotion to our sentences.

Review from our last two sections:

• Phrases: Two or more words forming a unit within a sentence or clause.

• Clause: A group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

Restrictive phrases and clauses are essential to the meaning of a sentence and are not set apart by punctuation.

• The musicians wearing the red ties are playing in the jazz band.

• I'm not sure what to eat, but I think I'll eat something that is light and healthy.

Nonrestrictive phrases and clauses are a way to add extra information to sentences.

• That dog, with gray spots, belongs to my neighbor.

• Those boys, who played in the band together, are all going to study music.

Open Ended

The teacher who is retiring is being honored with an award on Friday.

Which clause helps a reader identify which teacher is being honored?

Without the restrictive clause...

The teacher is being honored with an award on Friday.

Without the restrictive clause, a reader doesn't know which teacher is being honored.

Multiple Choice

The Golden Gate Bridge, which first opened in 1937, took over four years to build.

Is the underlined section restrictive or nonrestrictive?

• Restrictive

• Nonrestrictive

Multiple Choice

The astronaut who first stepped on the moon was Neil Armstrong.

• Restrictive

• Nonrestrictive

Multiple Choice

Kaylee, who just graduated from high school, is an accomplished figure skater.

• Restrictive

• Nonrestrictive

Multiple Choice

The guest lecturer, Kelly Middleton, will address the following question: would high-speed rail solve America's transportation problems?

• There is only one guest Lecture

• There is more than one guest Lecture

Tell whether each sentence is declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.

Do your best

Multiple Choice

Do you know what to do in case of severe weather?

• Declarative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

• Interrogative

Multiple Choice

Go to the basement, please.

• Declarative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

• Interrogative

Multiple Choice

What are the warning signs of severe weather?

• Declarative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

• Interrogative

Declarative Sentences

• makes a statement

• ends with a period (.)

Interrogative Sentences

• asks a question

• ends with a question mark (?)

Imperative

• gives a command or implies a request

• ends with a period (.) or an exclamatory point (!)

Exclamatory Sentence

• expresses a strong emotion

• ends with an exclamatory point (!)

Multiple Choice

Funnel clouds develop from the colliding of hot and cold air.

• Declarative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

• Interrogative

Multiple Choice

What a beautiful day!

• Declarative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

• Interrogative

Multiple Choice

Do we have something to answer?

• Declarative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

• Interrogative

Multiple Choice

Wow! That was superb.

• Declarative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

• Interrogative

Multiple Select

Look at the map!

• Declarative

• Imperative

• Exclamatory

• Interrogative