SAT restrictive vs nonrestrictive clauses practice
Practice the differences between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses with examples and rules that will help students prepare for the SAT.
Quiz(40 questions)
1. Which of the following best defines a restrictive clause?
Terms in this Study Set(40)
Understanding Clauses(16)
Define a restrictive clause.
A restrictive clause provides essential information about a noun and cannot be removed without changing the sentence's meaning.
Identify this: 'The book that you gave me is great.'
This sentence contains a restrictive clause ('that you gave me') identifying which book.
True or False: Nonrestrictive clauses are essential to a sentence.
False. Nonrestrictive clauses add extra information but can be removed without altering the main sentence meaning.
How do you punctuate nonrestrictive clauses?
Nonrestrictive clauses are set off by commas. Example: 'My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting.'
Fill in the blank: A restrictive clause usually starts with _____ or _____ .
A restricting clause usually starts with 'that' or 'who'.
Compare restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses.
- Restrictive: Essential info, no commas. - Nonrestrictive: Extra info, use commas.
What makes a clause nonrestrictive?
It provides additional information that is not crucial to the overall meaning of the sentence.
Identify the clause: 'The car, which is red, belongs to my sister.'
This is a nonrestrictive clause ('which is red') that adds detail about the car.
True or False: Restrictive clauses can be removed without changing meaning.
False. Removing a restrictive clause alters the sentence's meaning significantly.
What word often introduces restrictive clauses?
'That' is commonly used to introduce restrictive clauses.
Example: 'Students who study hard will succeed.' Identify the clause.
'who study hard' is a restrictive clause; it specifies which students.
Fill in the blank: Nonrestrictive clauses often begin with _____ or _____ .
'which' or 'who.'
How does a restrictive clause affect sentence meaning?
It narrows down the subject, clarifying which specific item or person is referenced.
Identify this: 'The teacher, who is very experienced, gave us extra help.'
This contains a nonrestrictive clause ('who is very experienced') that adds information about the teacher.
What punctuation marks indicate a nonrestrictive clause?
Commas are used to indicate nonrestrictive clauses.
Define a nonrestrictive clause.
A nonrestrictive clause adds non-essential information and can be omitted without changing the sentence's core meaning.
Examples in Context(12)
The book that I borrowed is exciting.
Restrictive clause: 'that I borrowed' defines which book.
Is the car, which is parked outside, yours?
Nonrestrictive clause: 'which is parked outside' adds extra info about the car.
True or False: Restrictive clauses are always set off by commas.
False: Restrictive clauses are NOT set off by commas.
Fill in the blank: The house _____ sold last year is historic.
'that was' needed to specify which house.
Dogs that bark loudly can be annoying.
Restrictive clause: 'that bark loudly' specifies which dogs.
The teacher, who loves literature, assigned a novel.
Nonrestrictive clause: 'who loves literature' gives additional info about the teacher.
Cause → Effect: A restrictive clause _____.
specifies essential information about a noun.
The pizza, which was cold, was still delicious.
Nonrestrictive clause: 'which was cold' is extra info, not essential.
Choose the correct clause: The students ____ study hard will succeed.
'who' is correct for restrictive use.
True or False: Nonrestrictive clauses provide essential information.
False: They provide non-essential information.
The movie that won the award is playing tonight.
Restrictive clause: 'that won the award' identifies which movie.
The car, which costs $30,000, has great features.
Nonrestrictive clause: 'which costs $30,000' adds details, not needed.
Punctuation Rules(12)
Define a restrictive clause.
A restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of a sentence and does not require commas.
When do you use commas with nonrestrictive clauses?
Use commas before and after nonrestrictive clauses to indicate that they add extra information.
True or False: Restrictive clauses always need commas.
False - Restrictive clauses do not use commas because they are essential.
Fill in the blank: Nonrestrictive clauses are set off by _______.
commas
Comparison: Restrictive vs. nonrestrictive clauses.
- Restrictive: Essential, no commas. - Nonrestrictive: Non-essential, use commas.
Identify the clause: "The book that I borrowed was excellent."
Restrictive clause: 'that I borrowed' is essential.
What punctuation mark indicates a nonrestrictive clause?
Commas signal a nonrestrictive clause's additional information.
Example of a nonrestrictive clause.
The car, which is red, belongs to my sister.
True or False: Nonrestrictive clauses change the main meaning of a sentence.
False - They provide extra, non-essential information.
Punctuation rules for restrictive clauses include _____.
No commas are used.
How do commas affect meaning in restrictive clauses?
Commas can alter meaning; removing them makes the clause essential.
Example of a restrictive clause.
Students who study regularly tend to perform better.
Questions in this Study Set(40)
1. Which of the following best defines a restrictive clause?
2. Which of the following sentences contains a restrictive clause?
3. What is a characteristic of a restrictive clause?
4. Identify the clause: 'The dog that barked all night kept us awake.'
5. Identify the nonrestrictive clause in the following sentence: 'My brother, who is an engineer, works in New York.'
6. When should commas be used with nonrestrictive clauses?
7. True or False: Nonrestrictive clauses require commas.
8. True or False: Nonrestrictive clauses are always set off by commas.
9. True or False: Restrictive clauses always require commas.
10. Which of the following sentences contains a nonrestrictive clause?
11. Complete the sentence: The book _____ received the award is on the shelf.
12. Fill in the blank: Nonrestrictive clauses are set off by _______.
13. Fill in the blank: A restrictive clause typically begins with _____ or _____ .
14. Which clause in the following sentence is restrictive? 'Students who study regularly tend to do well in exams.'
15. Which of the following sentences contains a nonrestrictive clause?
16. What distinguishes a nonrestrictive clause from a restrictive clause?
17. Identify the nonrestrictive clause: 'The car, which is parked in the driveway, is mine.'
18. Identify the clause: 'The movie that we watched last night was thrilling.'
19. Identify the clause in this sentence: 'The bicycle, which is blue, belongs to my brother.'
20. True or False: Restrictive clauses provide non-essential information.
21. What punctuation mark indicates a nonrestrictive clause?
22. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a restrictive clause?
23. Choose the correct clause: The movie ____ was released last year received great reviews.
24. Which sentence demonstrates a restrictive clause?
25. What punctuation is used for a nonrestrictive clause?
26. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a nonrestrictive clause?
27. True or False: Nonrestrictive clauses change the main meaning of a sentence.
28. Fill in the blank: Nonrestrictive clauses usually begin with _____ or _____ .
29. Fill in the blank: The restaurant _____ we went to last night was fantastic.
30. What are the punctuation rules for restrictive clauses?
31. How does a restrictive clause affect a sentence?
32. In the sentence 'The dog, which barked loudly, scared the children', which part is nonrestrictive?
33. How can the presence of commas affect the meaning of a sentence with a restrictive clause?
34. Identify this: 'The athlete who broke the record is from California.'
35. What is the function of a restrictive clause?
36. Which of the following sentences contains a nonrestrictive clause?
37. True or False: A restrictive clause can be removed without changing the overall meaning of the sentence.
38. What is the primary function of a nonrestrictive clause?
39. Which of the following sentences contains a restrictive clause?
40. Identify the true statement about nonrestrictive clauses.
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