Jones Essential and Nonessential Clauses

Identify the essential clause in the following sentence:

I cleaned my bathroom floor, which was covered in dust, so my sister who goes to Oshkosh wouldn't judge me too harshly.

• which was covered in dust

• wouldn't judge me too harshly

• who goes to Oshkosh

• I cleaned my bathroom floor

Knowing that there is only one famous William Shakespeare, how should the following sentence be punctuated?

William Shakespeare who wrote many tragedies is a famous playwright.

• , who wrote many tragedies,

• , who wrote many tragedies

• ; who wrote many tragedies;

• who wrote many tragedies,

Is the following clause essential or nonessential?

Of the letters on my kitchen table, the one that my mother sent was the most important.

• Essential

• Nonessential

Identify which word should be used to complete this nonessential clause.

My dresser, ______ is made of oak, was difficult to move upstairs.

• That

• Who

• Which

• Whom

Identify which word should be used to complete the following essential clause.

My older sister _____ has three children asked me to babysit this weekend.

• Which

• Who

• That

• Whom

Identify which word should be used to complete the following essential clause.

Of the several books I have read this year, the one _____ was most interesting to me was the biography about my favorite author

• Which

• Who

• That

• Whom

Identify the correct punctuation for the following clause:

My youngest cousin who just got engaged is coming home to visit next month.

• who just got engaged,

• , who just got engaged

• , who just got engaged,

• No change

Identify if the following clause is essential or nonessential.

The reckless driver, who was texting while driving, crashed into the stoplight.

• Essential

• Nonessential

Identify the correct punctuation for the following clause:

My friend wanted to borrow my new sweater which was really expensive.

• ; which was really expensive

• No change

• , which was really expensive

Identify the nonessential clause in the following sentence.

When at the bookstore, which is where I like to spend my Saturdays, I found a great new book series that I am interested in reading.

• When at the bookstore

• I found a great new book series

• that I am interested in reading

• which is where I like to spend my Saturdays