Some or All
Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive clauses
Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive
| RESTRICTIVE — SOME |
|---|
When speaking in general (people, candy, cars, etc.) a restrictive clause (identifying clause) narrows the group, kind or type. It limits the general noun to a specific group. |
Candy that contains chocolate is dangerous to dogs.
(True for one type of candy.) |
People who have a "sweet tooth" consume too much sugar. (True for one type of people.) |
| NONRESTRICTIVE — ALL |
|---|
A nonrestrictive clause (nonidentifying) refers to all in general. It adds non-defining information to the noun before it. The comment does not limit the noun to a smaller group. |
Candy, which is a sweet, is irresistible to children.
(True of all candy.) |
People, who don't always do what is good for them, consume too much sugar. (True for all people.) |
fund (v.) – give or award money for the completion of a project
define (v.) – to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of
restrict (v.) – limit, narrow
Related page Comma–Comments (aside comments)
Identifying vs. Nonidentifying Clause
Punctuation
An Identifying vs. Nonidentifying Clause
| IDENTIFYING CLAUSE (RESTRICTIVE) – SOME |
|---|
|
Candy that contains chocolate is dangerous to dogs. |
People who have a "sweet tooth" consume too much sugar. |
A clause that identifies the noun before it (tells you which one) is not set off with commas. | NONIDENTIFYING CLAUSE (NONRESTRICTIVE) – ALL |
|---|
|
Candy, which is a sweet, is irresistible to children. |
People, who don't always do what is good for them, consume too much sugar. |
A clause that adds extra, nonidentifying information is set off with comma(s). energy efficient (adj.) – saves, conserves energy
irresistible (adj.) – difficult to say "no" to.
set off (v.) – separate, show as different, such as an aside comment
¹An object relative pronoun can be omitted from an identifying clause.
Common Mistakes
Errors and Solutions
| ERROR | SOLUTION |
|---|---|
People, who are under the age of 18, may not smoke. (It assumes that all people are age 18.) |
People who are under the age of 18 may not smoke. |
Cars that are major purchases can rapidly lose their value after an accident. |
Cars, which are major purchases, can rapidly lose their value after an accident. (Change "that" to "which" and add commas. The clause does not narrow the group to a specific kind.) |
Practice 1
Refers to Some or All
Decide whether or not to add commas.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check 1-10" button at the bottom, or click the "check" button as you go.
Practice 2
Is it a Bargain?
Read for Errors (without punctuation)
People who love a bargain don't always consider where a product comes from before they buy it. People who are socially conscious look into where a product was made and the conditions of the workers who produced it. They tie its price to fair labor practices.
Fair labor practices which look good on paper may be hard for a consumer to actually observe when shopping. Fair practices that are sustainable balance the wage of the worker with the price of the product.
A fair wage to which every worker has a right depends on a good economy and demand for the product. A fair wage on which a person can live means that the person can support himself and afford the product he makes.
The price of a product that is affordable generally has a short supply chain. It needs less packaging and transportation and it passes through fewer middlemen to get to the consumer.
The price of a product which may vary from store to store is generally lower if the product is made locally: it has a shorter trip to the market.
People who buy locally made goods (products) are making smart choices. Consumers who drive the market need to check where a product comes from before buying it. In this way, they can encourage producers to make products using fair labor practices.
affordable – can be afforded; has enough money to buy
bargain (n.) – good price, a good deal
conscious – aware, sensitive to surroundings (caring)
consumer – person who buys goods (products) and services
demand (n.) – need or desire that people have for a product or service
determine (v.) – cause, control, decide
drive (v.) – influence, affect, cause change
look into (v.) – inquire, investigate, research
looks good on paper – in plan, theoretically
the market (n.) – the system in which all prices and wages depend on what goods people want to buy, how many they buy
middleman (n.) – someone who buys things in order to sell them to someone else, or who helps to arrange business deals for other people
observe (v.) – follow, to keep or maintain in one's action, conduct
source (n.) – where something comes from
supply chain (business term) – a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer.
sustainable (adj.) – able to continue without causing damage or failing
Is the modifying clause true of all or some? Add punctuation to nonrestrictive clauses.
- Edit the sentence in the text box.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check 11-20" button at the bottom, or click the "check" button as you go.