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 That vs. Which

Bottled WaterIdentifying a Noun With a Modifying Clause

 

 

 

 

Identifying vs. Nonidentifying Clauses 
THAT — AN IDENTIFYING CLAUSE WHICH — A NON-IDENTIFYING CLAUSE

An identifying (restrictive) clause adds information or restricts the noun to a specific one, group or lot.  The clause helps by telling us which one, where or when. Either which or that can be used. The clause is not set off by commas.

A non-identifying (non-restrictive) clause adds extra information about a noun already identified by other means, for example, by name, by shared knowledge or context.. The clause is just adding extra or interesting information. That cannot be used in a nonidentifying clause.  It is set off with commas (parentheses or dashes.)

The water that I drank last night contained sodium. (identifies the specific one) 

The Evian water, which I drank last night, contained sodium. (adds extra info)

The car that runs off of a lithium-ion battery is surprisingly fast.

The Tesla, which runs off of a lithium-ion battery, is surprisingly fast.

The prison that was located in San Francisco Bay was a depressing place to work.

Alcatraz Prison, which was located in San Francisco Bay, was a depressing place to work.
 

lithium-ion battery (n.) – a type of battery used in laptops
depressing (adj.) – causing to feel sad
prison (n) – a building where people are kept as punishment for a crime

 

Grocery store

 

 

 

 

 

 

Methods of Identification
MODIFIER IDENTIFYING MODIFIERS EXTRA IDENTIFYING MODIFIERS

 

 No comma is used when adding a clause that helps identify the noun.

 A comma is used when adding a nonidentifying clause (a clause that adds extra information.)

(none)

The store sells organic produce.
(Main sentence – the noun is  not identified.)

Whole Foods sells organic produce.
(Main sentence – noun is identified by name.)

with a clause

The store where I shop sells organic produce.
(The noun is  identified by the clause "where I shop".)

Whole Foods, where I shop, sells organic produce.
(The Whole Foods store is further modified by extra information "where I shop".

with a phrase

The store on the corner of Channing and University sells organic produce.
(The noun is  identified by the phrase "on the corner of Channing and University".)

Whole Foods,on the corner of Channing and University, sells organic produce.
(The Whole Foods store is further modified by extra information "on the corner of Channing and University".)

with a name

The store, Whole Foods, sells organic produce.
(The noun is  identified by name "Whole Foods".)

Whole Foods, a grocery store, sells organic produce.
(The Whole Foods store is further modified by extra information"a grocery store".)

by later mention

The store sells organic produce. Whole Foods sell "green products" as well.
(The noun is  identified later in the sentence or paragraph.)

–

by earlier mention

I like Whole Foods.  The store sells organic produce.
(The noun is  identified earlier in the paragraph.)

–

by referring to some or all

Whole Foods where shoppers can recycle bottles sells organic produce.
(The Whole Foods store is identifified specifically by "where shoppers can recycle bottles".  Refers to a restricted or small group – only the "Whole Foods" that recycle bottles for custormers.)

Whole Foods, where shoppers can recycle bags, sells organic produce.
(The Whole Foods store is further modified by extra information "where shoppers can recycle bags" .  Refers to ALL. All "Whole Foods" recycle bags .)

by its uniqueness

The moon is bright.
Note that  the earth's moon is referred to as "the moon".

The moon, which is full tonight, is bright.
(The moon is further identified by "which is full tonight". )  Note that  the earth's moon is referred to as "the moon".

NOTE:  "where I shop" = "in which I shop" = "which I shop in" (informal)

London Bridge

 

 

 

 

Common Mistakes
ERROR FIX 

The London Bridge which it was in England is now in Arizona.

Pop-Q 4/12/2009

The London Bridge, which was in England, is now in Arizona.
Remove it.  Use commas because the clause is not necessary to indentify the bridge.

The marine iguana that eats algae in the sea is only found in the Galapagos Islands. 

Pop-Q -10/4/2009 

The marine iguana, which eats algae in the sea, is only found in the Galapagos Islands. algae (n.) – a simple plant without stems or leaves that grows in or near ocean water 

The type of iguana is identified.  The modifying clause adds extra information.

Alcatraz Island surrounded by fog was a depressing place to serve time in prison.

Pop-Q 08/31/2008

Alcatraz Island, surrounded by fog, was a depressing place to serve time in prison.

The type of iguana is identified.  The modifying clause adds extra information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bay Area SatellitePractice

The San Francisco Bay Area

 

 

 

Join the two sentences into one.  Decide whether to use commas with the clause:

  1. Select commas or no commas.
  2. Read the feedback about your option.

 

# SENTENCE - CLAUSE  & FEEDBACK YOUR RESPONSE
1 SENTENCE:  San Francisco is a beautiful city. 
CLAUSE:       It is on the west coast.

  
2 SENTENCE:  The port is the fourth busiest shipping port in the U.S. 
CLAUSE:       It is nearby in Oakland.


3 SENTENCE:  Fisherman's Wharf has several restaurants, stores and attractions. 
CLAUSE:       Visitors can walk there.
4 SENTENCE:  The mission was founded by Franciscan padres from Mexico (Spain). 
CLAUSE:       It dates back to 1776.

was founded by the Franciscan padres from Mexico (Spain).
5 SENTENCE:  The most famous landmark in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. 
CLAUSE:       It spans the opening to the bay.

spans = reaches/goes across
6 SENTENCE:  The city was hit by a destructive earthquake. 
CLAUSE:       You may remember it in 1989.
7 SENTENCE:  The restaurants serve all kinds of South and Central American cuisines. 
CLAUSE:       They are in the Mission District.

8 SENTENCE:  The Bay Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges the world.
CLAUSE:       It passes through Yerba Buena Island.
9 SENTENCE:  Carlos Santana has been a resident of San Francisco.
CLAUSE:       He is a Grammy Award winner.


10 SENTENCE:  The San Francisco Forty-Niners play football at Candlestick Park. 
CLAUSE:       They were named after the gold miners of 1849.
11 SENTENCE:  The skyline is one of the most recognizable in the U.S. 
CLAUSE:       It includes the Transamerica Pyramid and Coit Tower.
12 SENTENCE:  The California Academy of Sciences features a "living roof". 
CLAUSE:       It is located in Golden Gate Park. features a "living roof".
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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