Nonrestrictive Elements

Nonrestrictive Elements

USING COMMAS, DASHES, AND PARENTHESES

What is a Nonrestrictive Element?

• Nonrestrictive elements are phrases in a sentence that contain "extra information" about the sentence. If you were to remove this part of the sentence, the meaning would not be changed & the sentence would still make sense.

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• ​Commas , dashes - and parentheses ( ) can be used to set off the nonrestrictive element from the rest of the sentence.

Examples of Nonrestrictive Elements

Drew Brees, who used to play for the Saints, retired in 2021.

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​We decorated our Christmas tree (the white one) this past weekend.

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​My brothers- Lance, Rob, Josh- are all on the soccer team.

Non-Examples of Nonrestrictive Elements

Drew Brees, who used to play for the Saints- retired in 2021.

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​We decorated our Christmas tree; the white one; this past weekend.

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​My brothers- Lance, Rob, Josh are all on the soccer team.

Multiple Choice

What is a nonrestrictive element in a sentence?

• a part of a sentence that is very important

• a part of a sentence that is extra information and interrupts

Multiple Select

Which of the following punctuation marks can be used to "set off" a nonrestrictive element? There is more than one answer.

• commas

• parentheses

• dashes

• semicolons

Multiple Choice

Q. What is the nonrestrictive element in this sentence?

My mother, who had been waiting for the past 30 minutes, was beginning to question where the train was.

• My mother

• who had been waiting for the past 30 minutes

• was beginning to question

• where the train was.

Multiple Choice

What is the nonrestrictive element in this sentence?

My two brothers Kyle and Jeff are in town for Thanksgiving weekend.

• Kyle and Jeff

• My two brothers

• are in town for Thanksgiving weekend.

• There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence.

Multiple Choice

HOW CAN YOU CORRECTLY PUNCTUATE THIS SENTENCE?

My favorite animals zebras, lions, and flamingos can all be found at the zoo.

• My favorite animals- zebras, lions, and flamingos- can all be found at the zoo.

• My favorite animals zebras, lions, and flamingos, can all be found at the zoo.

• My favorite animals: zebras, lions, and flamingos can all be found at the zoo.

Multiple Choice

Where should the punctuation be placed?

• Mia asks a lot of questions; about 20 per class period; during Social Studies.

• Mia asks a lot of questions (about 20 per class period) during Social Studies.

• Mia asks a lot of questions. About 20 per class period, during Social Studies.

Multiple Choice

What is the nonrestrictive element (or nonessential piece of information) in this sentence?

Pearls which are expensive aren't something I buy very often.

• which are expensive

• pearls

• aren't something I buy very often

• There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• That's our favorite restaurant which is why we go there often.

• That's our favorite restaurant, which is why we go there often.

• That's our favorite restaurant which is why, we go there often.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

• Studying, which often takes a lot of effort, is something students must learn to do.

• Studying, which often takes a lot of effort is something students must learn to do.

Multiple Choice

Where should the commas be placed?

• Olivia, who lives next door, invited me to her birthday party.

• Olivia who, lives next door, invited me to her birthday party.

• Olivia, who lives next door invited me, to her birthday party.

• Olivia, who lives next door, invited me, to her birthday party.

Open Ended

RETYPE THIS SENTENCE. ADD COMMAS WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED.

Mayor Gilich the mayor of Biloxi gave a speech.

Open Ended

RETYPE THIS SENTENCE. ADD DASHES WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED.

My favorite colors red, blue, and yellow are primary colors.