This document explains the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. Restrictive clauses limit or identify the noun they modify by providing essential information, while nonrestrictive clauses provide extra, nonessential information with commas surrounding the clause. It provides examples of restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses and notes that restrictive clauses do not have commas while nonrestrictive clauses always have commas.

2. Restrictive Clauses
Explains which
people, places, things, or ideas: not
everyone or everything. It limits the
(pro)noun that it modifies to only what is
described in the clause.
i.e. The Shinobi who throw the kunai is from
Konoha.

3. Nonrestrictive Clauses
Do not define or identify the word(s)
the describe. It adds interesting
information about a (pro)noun. It does not
explain which people, places, or things.
i.e. My brother, who lives in Konoha, is a
Ninja.

4. Restrictive Clauses Non-restrictive
Clauses
are necessary for
identification—tell exactly
which thing or person
are interesting with extra
information -but don’t
identify or tell “which one”
DO NOT have commas
around clause
ALWAYS have commas
around clause
Also known as identifying or
defining clauses
Also known as non-
identifying or non-defining
clauses

5. Clauses with Multiple Meanings
Restrictive Clause
• My brother who lives in Konoha is a Ninja.
Nonrestrictive Clause
• My brother, who lives in Konoha, is a
Ninja.

6. The End