Essential and Nonessential Clauses

Essential & Non-essential Clauses

Essential Clauses

• An essential clause is necessary to identify a person or thing that is being described.

• Essential clauses are NOT separated by commas.

• Essential clauses tell you "which one"

• Examples of an essential clause: The box that my uncle built is falling down.

Multiple Choice

Essential clauses MUST be separated with a comma?

• True

• False

Non-Essential Clauses

• A non-essential clause is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

• Commas ARE needed to set apart the clause.

• Example of non-essential clause: My brother, who plays sports, is very competitive.

Multiple Select

Check ALL of the boxes that include a non-essential clause

• My dad, who loves to run, did track and field in high school.

• The ice cream truck drives through my neighborhood everyday.

• The novel, which Isaiah really enjoyed, was an "I survived" book.

• Sally, who is in fifth grade, always makes sure she turns in her assignments.

Open Ended

Write your own sentence containing an essential clause related to school

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between and essential and non-essential clause?

• A comma is used in a non-essential clause

• A comma is used in an essential clause

Multiple Choice

Which type of clause is this: Mrs. Wagner and Mrs. Owens, who are the best teachers on campus, always make learning interesting and fun.

• Essential Clause

• Complex sentence

• non-essential clause

Multiple Choice

An essential clause...

• tells a story

• is necessary in a sentence to describe a person or thing

Open Ended

Write your own sentence using a non-essential clause related to school