What is a Nonrestrictive Clause? Nonrestrictive Clause Examples

Nonrestrictive Clause

What is anonrestrictive clause? Need help understanding what is a nonrestrictive clause and what isn’t? Check out our page and find nonrestrictive clause examples and learn how to weave a nonrestrictive clause into your own writing.

A dependent, or subordinate, clause contains a subject and a verb or verb phrase but does not express a complete thought. As a result, it cannot stand alone as a sentence. Dependent clauses can function either as noun clauses, adjective clauses, or adverb clauses.

What Is a Nonrestrictive Clause?

A nonrestrictive clause (also known as a nonessential clause) is a type of adjective clause that provides additional information about a word whose meaning is already clear. A nonrestrictive clause often begins with the word which and are always set off with commas.

In contrast, a restrictive (or essential) clause provides information necessary for understanding the word it modifies.

When deciding whether to include the word that or which in an adjective clause, remember to use that for restrictive clauses and which for nonrestrictive clauses:

Restrictive clause: The order that I placed should be shipped out tomorrow. ( That I placed is a restrictive adjective clause. It contains the subject I and the verb placed . The clause modifies the noun order, providing necessary information about it.)

Nonrestrictive clause: Mount Everest, which has the highest altitude of any mountain , attracts hundreds of climbers every year. ( Which has the highest altitude of any mountain is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject which and the verb has. The clause modifies the noun Mount Everest, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

Nonrestrictive Clause Examples

( Which is my favorite treat is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject which and the verb is. The clause modifies the noun cake, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

Redwood trees, which grow in California, can be over 350 feet tall.

( Which grow in California is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject which and the verb grow. The clause modifies the noun trees, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

My coworker Patrick, whom I told you about , will be joining us for dinner tonight.

( Whom I told you about is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject I and the verb told. The clause modifies the noun Patrick, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

The pomegranate, which is a large type of fruit, thrives in warmer climates.

( Which is a large type of fruit is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject which and the verb is. The clause modifies the noun pomegranate, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

Nathan, whose sister is my best friend , will be coming on the trip with us.

( Whose sister is my best friend is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject sister and the verb is. The clause modifies the noun Nathan, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

The park, which has a beach area , allows dogs to go swimming in the lake.

( Which has a beach area is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject which and the verb has. The clause modifies the noun park, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

Cherisse, who took an art class with me this summer , will have her work displayed at a local gallery.

( Who took an art class with me this summer is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject who and the verb took. The clause modifies the noun Cherisse, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

Olives, which come in many different varieties , are common in Mediterranean dishes.

( Which come in many different varieties is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject which and the verb come. The clause modifies the noun olives, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

Mr. Evers, whose son played on my basketball team , will be our track coach next year.

( Whose son played on my basketball team is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject son and the verb played. The clause modifies the noun Mr. Evers, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

My new dress is green, which is my favorite color .

( Which is my favorite color is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject which and the verb is. The clause modifies the noun dress, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

Nonrestrictive Clause Examples

( Who works in the finance department is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject who and the verb works. The clause modifies the noun Gregory, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)

Manuel, whom I accompanied to the wedding, is hosting a birthday party this weekend.

( Whom I accompanied to the wedding is a nonrestrictive clause. It contains the subject I and the verb accompanied. The clause modifies the noun Manuel, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)