Non-restrictive elements

​Non-restrictive elements

Non-restrictive elements

​Non-restrictive elements add extra detail to the sentence without changing the meaning.

They are usually marked with commas. They can also be marked by dashes or parentheses.

Commas ,

Commas can add a neutral emphasis. The additional information isn’t presented as strong or weak, simply just additional information.

The White House, built in 1792, is the official residence of the president.

The non-restrictive element “built in 1792” is directly related to the White House and gives extra information but doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence.

​Example

​Commas are used when the non-restrictive elements is related to the topic.

Multiple Choice

What emphasis do commas give?

• neutral emphasis

• strong emphasis

• weak emphasis

Multiple Choice

When are commas used in non-restrictive elements?

• when info is not related to the topic of the sentence

• when info is related to the topic of the sentence

• when info is sort of related to the topic of the sentence

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences uses a comma correctly?

• After my run, which was long and hot, I headed for the shower.

• After my run, which was long and hot I headed for the shower.

• After my run which was long and hot, I headed for the shower.

• After, my run which was long and hot, I headed for the shower.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences uses a comma correctly?

• The exam which lasted two hours was easy.

• The exam, which lasted two hours was easy.

• The exam which lasted two hours, was easy.

• The exam, which lasted two hours, was easy.

​Dashes -

The author might use dashes to present a strong emphasis. This means they really want to draw your attention to specific words.

Could she - should she really even try to - cross the rickety bridge.

The non-restrictive element “should she really even try” is not entirely on topic but adds extra depth to the sentence.

​Example

​Dashes are used when the non-restrictive element is not really related to the topic.

Multiple Choice

What emphasis do dashes give?

• neutral emphasis

• strong emphasis

• weak emphasis

Multiple Choice

When are dashes used in non-restrictive elements?

• when info is not related to the topic of the sentence

• when info is related to the topic of the sentence

• when info is sort of related to the topic of the sentence

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences uses dashes correctly?

• You are the person the only person who was willing to listen.

• You are the person - the only person - who was willing to listen.

• You are - the person - the only person who was willing to listen.

• You are the person - the only - person who was willing to listen.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences uses dashes correctly?

• Jack ripped his shorts his favorite shorts - on the monkey bars.

• Jack ripped his shorts his favorite shorts on the monkey - bars.

• Jack ripped his shorts - his favorite shorts - on the monkey bars.

• Jack ripped - his shorts - his favorite shorts on the monkey bars.

​Parentheses ( )

Parentheses can be used to make a non-restrictive clause with a weak emphasis.

They are the exact opposite of dashes; some people think of them as optional and even skip over them while reading at times.

The bus (that I always seem to miss) was running late today.

The non-restrictive element "that I always seem to miss" is related to the sentence but isn't adding more information about the bus.

​Example

​Parentheses are used when the non-restrictive element is slightly related to the topic.

Multiple Choice

What emphasis do parentheses give?

• neutral emphasis

• strong emphasis

• weak emphasis

Multiple Choice

When are parentheses used in non-restrictive elements?

• when info is not related to the topic of the sentence

• when info is related to the topic of the sentence

• when info is sort of related to the topic of the sentence

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences uses parentheses correctly?

• Girl Scout cookies which are only sold once a year (are delicious).

• Girl Scout cookies (which are only sold once a year) are delicious.

• (Girl Scout cookies) which are only sold once a year are delicious.

• Girl Scout cookies which are only sold (once a year) are delicious.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences uses parentheses correctly?

• The medicine will expire in (thirty) 30 days.

• The medicine will expire in thirty 30 (days).

• The medicine will expire in thirty (30) days.

• The medicine (will expire) in thirty 30 days.