Essential Vs. Nonessential Clauses

What does the word ESSENTIAL mean?

• it's absolutely necessary

• it's not needed

• it's needed sometimes

Which clause has an ESSENTIAL clause?

• Most of the things that we worry about never happen.

• Buffalo Bill whose real name was William F. Cody was a famous frontier scout.

What does the word NONESSENTIAL mean?

• it's not needed; it's extra

• it's needed sometimes

• it's absolutely needed

Which sentence has a NONESSENTIAL clause?

• Mrs.Miltos is not a person with whom you can argue.

• Grasshoppers which are one of our most destructive insect pests can leap nearly twenty times the length of their bodies.

Where should the commas go in the following example?

Mark Twain who tried a dozen different types of jobs became a writer.

• Mark Twain, who tried, a dozen different types of jobs became a writer.

• Mark Twain who tried a dozen different types of jobs became a writer.

• Mark Twain, who tried a dozen different types of jobs, became a writer.

• Mark Twain who tried a dozen different types of jobs, became a writer.

Where should the commas go in the following example?

Few people who claim to be able to predict the future can actually do so.

• Few people, who claim to be able to predict the future, can actually do so.

• Few people who claim to be able to predict the future can actually do so.

• Few people who claim to be able to predict the future, can actually do so.

• Few people, who claim to be able to predict the future can actually do so.

Anthony who won the race became the first one in our class to receive a trophy.

• essential - no commas

• nonessential - add commas

Children who get everything they want often appreciate nothing.

• essential - no commas

• nonessential - add commas

My left ankle which I broke last winter is still too weak for track.

• essential - no commas

• nonessential - add commas

Anita who has no sense of humor couldn’t see what made the joke funny.

• essential - no commas

• nonessential - needs commas