Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Clauses - ESL worksheet by Lati_Tifa - Free Printable

Here’s the complete solution to both exercises with explanations.

---

## ✔ Exercise 1: Underline the relative clause and label it R (restrictive) or NR (non-restrictive)

> Key Concept:
> - Restrictive clause (R): Essential to the meaning of the sentence. It defines *which* person/thing you’re talking about. No commas.
> - Non-restrictive clause (NR): Adds extra, non-essential information. Can be removed without changing the core meaning. Set off by commas.

---

1. Nadia, who enjoys all kinds of music, often attends concerts. → (NR)

✔ Already done. “Who enjoys all kinds of music” gives extra info about Nadia — we already know who Nadia is. Commas = non-restrictive.

---

2. The green vase that is on the top shelf is very expensive. → (R)

🔹 *Why?* “That is on the top shelf” tells us *which* green vase — there might be many green vases, but this one is specified. No commas = restrictive.

---

3. Keenan asked Victor, who was in his class, if he could have a ride. → (NR)

🔹 *Why?* “Who was in his class” adds background info about Victor — we already know who Victor is. Commas = non-restrictive.

---

4. The thief hid the money that he had stolen from the store. → (R)

🔹 *Why?* “That he had stolen from the store” specifies *which* money — not just any money, but the stolen one. Essential info = restrictive.

---

5. Cindy who is my favorite cousin is a good creative writer. → (R)

⚠️ *Note:* There are no commas here — so it’s restrictive. This implies that Cindy is being identified as “my favorite cousin” — perhaps among multiple cousins. If it were “Cindy, who is my favorite cousin,” it would be NR. But as written, it’s restrictive.

---

6. The letter, which was written in blue ink, told John the location of the key. → (NR)

🔹 *Why?* “Which was written in blue ink” adds extra detail — the letter’s color doesn’t change which letter we’re talking about. Commas = non-restrictive.

---

✔ Final Answers for Exercise 1:

1. (NR)
2. that is on the top shelf — (R)
3. who was in his class — (NR)
4. that he had stolen from the store — (R)
5. who is my favorite cousin — (R)
6. which was written in blue ink — (NR)

---

## ✔ Exercise 2: Put commas if the clause is non-restrictive

> Rule: Only add commas around a relative clause if it’s non-restrictive — i.e., it adds extra info, not essential to identify the noun.

---

1. Charles Dickens who was great writer in the late 19th Century is the author of Little Dorrit.

→ ✘ Should be: Charles Dickens, who was a great writer in the late 19th century, is...
🔹 *Why?* Everyone knows who Charles Dickens is. The clause adds background info → non-restrictive → needs commas. Also, fix grammar: “a great writer”.

---

2. The piece of chocolate cake which probably has a million calories in it was delicious.

→ ✘ Should be: The piece of chocolate cake, which probably has a million calories in it, was delicious.
🔹 *Why?* We’re talking about *one specific* piece of cake — the clause adds extra info about its calories → non-restrictive → commas needed.

---

3. My favorite place to ski is Snow Basin in Utah which is one of the least crowded resorts.

→ ✘ Should be: My favorite place to ski is Snow Basin in Utah, which is one of the least crowded resorts.
🔹 *Why?* “Which is one of the least crowded resorts” gives extra info about Snow Basin — not needed to identify it → non-restrictive → comma before “which”.

---

4. The man who lives across the street is the local pharmacist.

→ ✔ No commas.
🔹 *Why?* “Who lives across the street” identifies *which* man — there may be many men, but this one is specified → restrictive → no commas.

---

5. Chapter 8 which tells of the rescue is well written.

→ ✘ Should be: Chapter 8, which tells of the rescue, is well written.
🔹 *Why?* “Which tells of the rescue” adds extra info — we already know it’s Chapter 8 → non-restrictive → commas needed.

---

6. The chapter that tells of the rescue is well written.

→ ✔ No commas.
🔹 *Why?* “That tells of the rescue” specifies *which* chapter — maybe among several chapters → restrictive → no commas.

---

7. Tourists who can usually be recognized by their cameras seem to like traveling to many places.

→ ✔ No commas.
🔹 *Why?* “Who can usually be recognized by their cameras” defines *which* tourists — not all tourists, only those with cameras → restrictive → no commas.

---

8. The students who can pass this test must be very intelligent.

→ ✔ No commas.
🔹 *Why?* “Who can pass this test” specifies *which* students — not all students, only those who can pass → restrictive → no commas.

---

✔ Final Answers for Exercise 2 (with commas added where needed):

1. Charles Dickens, who was a great writer in the late 19th century, is the author of Little Dorrit.
2. The piece of chocolate cake, which probably has a million calories in it, was delicious.
3. My favorite place to ski is Snow Basin in Utah, which is one of the least crowded resorts.
4. The man who lives across the street is the local pharmacist. *(no commas)*
5. Chapter 8, which tells of the rescue, is well written.
6. The chapter that tells of the rescue is well written. *(no commas)*
7. Tourists who can usually be recognized by their cameras seem to like traveling to many places. *(no commas)*
8. The students who can pass this test must be very intelligent. *(no commas)*

---

## 📝 Summary:

- Non-restrictive clauses = extra info = use commas.
- Restrictive clauses = essential info = no commas.
- Use “who/which” with commas for non-restrictive; “that/who” without commas for restrictive (though “who” can be used restrictively too).

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or flashcards for practice!