Adjective Clauses

 Grammar-Quizzes
 Punctuating Adjective Clauses Framed | Unframed

 

 

Read & Contrast

 

Punctuation in a sentence with an adjective clause depends on whether the clause is:

  • identifying (no commas) 
  • non-identifying (commas) 

 

 Bottled Water

 

Identifying vs. Non-identifying Clauses

A clause that adds identifying information or restricts the noun to a specific group or lot does not use commas.  A clause that adds extra information is set off with commas (parentheses or dashes.)

AN IDENTIFYING CLAUSE - NO COMMAS A NON-IDENTIFYING CLAUSE - COMMAS
The water that I drank last night contained sodium. The Evian water, which I drank last night, contained sodium.

"That I drank last night" helps to clarify which water we are referring to.

 

"The Evian water" clearly says which water we are talking about, so "which I drank last night" provides extra information. 
NOTE: Which or that can be used. NOTE: That cannot be used in a non-identifying clause.

 

How can a clause add identifying information?

  • by telling which one
  • by telling where
  • by telling when

 

Methods of Identification

BY METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION WITH AN "EXTRA" NON-IDENTIFYING CLAUSE
  no comma use a comma when adding a non-identifying clause
(none) The store sells organic produce. (unidentified)  
a clause The store where I shop sells organic produce.  
a phrase The store on the corner of Channing and University sells organic produce. The store on the corner of Channing and University, where I shop, sells organic produce.
a name Whole Foods sells organic produce. Whole Foods, where I shop, sells organic produce.
later mention The store that sells organic produce is Whole Foods. The store selling organic produce, where I shop, is Whole Foods.
earlier mention I like Whole Foods.  The store sells organic produce. I like Whole Foods.  The store, where I shop, sells organic produce.
referring to all Organic food stores sell organic produce. Organic food stores, where I shop, sell organic produce.
uniqueness The moon is bright. The moon, which is full tonight, is bright.
  NOTE:  "where I shop" = "in which I shop" = "which I shop in" (informal)

 

 

 
 

Practice

 

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.
 The Golden Gate Bridge

 

# 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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Julie Sevastopoulos - ESL Department - College of San Mateo - San Mateo, CA 94402 USA