This document outlines different types of sentence patterns relating to restrictive and nonrestrictive constructions. It identifies 6 types of sentences: 1) sentences with nonrestrictive elements at the end, 2) sentences with nonrestrictive elements in the middle, 3) sentences with restrictive (defining) elements, 4) sentences with tricky "-ing" forms at the end, 5) sentences with restrictive or nonrestrictive elements coming after attributive statements, and 6) special cases where the same meaning can be conveyed with either restrictive or nonrestrictive constructions. For each type, it provides examples of subtypes using letter designations.

1. A. Venkataraman, Precise and uniform definitions of light, standard, and professional levels of editing—A proposal, presented at Editing Goes Global,
Editors' Association of Canada Conference, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 12–14, 2015.
Sentence patterns relating to nonrestrictive and restrictive constructions
1. Type 1: Sentences with nonrestrictive elements toward the end of the sentence
• Type 1a: Single piece of extra information at the end
• Type 1b: Two nonrestrictive elements at the end, both modifying the main clause
• Type 1c: Two nonrestrictive elements, one modifying the main clause and the other modifying the first
modifier
• Type 1d: Three nonrestrictive elements, one modifying the main clause, the second modifying the first,
and the third modifying the second
2. Type 2: Sentences with nonrestrictive elements in the middle of the sentence
• Type 2a: Nonrestrictive elements set off by commas
• Type 2b: Valid nonrestrictive element after and
• Type 2c: Nonrestrictive elements not set off by commas
• Type 2d: Two nonrestrictive elements set off by commas
• Type 2e: Three nonrestrictive elements set off by commas
3. Type 3: Sentences with restrictive (defining) elements
• Type 3a: Commonly used defining expressions that go almost unnoticed
• Type 3b: Straightforward defining constructions
• Type 3c: Some ‐ing forms in sentences are actually defining constructions
• Type 3d: Some expressions with no comma before but may actually be defining constructions
• Type 3e: Two defining elements coming one after another and modifying the same element
• Type 3f: Defining elements containing one, two, and three prepositional phrases
4. Type 4: Sentences with tricky –ing forms at the end, which can change the meaning depending on how they
are set
5. Type 5: Sentences with restrictive or nonrestrictive elements coming after attributive statements such as
show(ed) that, report(ed) that, indicate(d) that, demonstrate(d) that, etc.
• Type 5a: Element after that not set off by commas because the interruption to the flow is minimal (or
almost not there)
• Type 5b: Element after that set off by commas because of a clear interruption to the flow
• Type 5c: Restrictive element after that: use of a single comma
6. Type 6: Special cases of sentences that can convey the same meaning with either restrictive or nonrestrictive
constructions