How to Identify Essential and Non-Essential Clauses
Sometimes a dependent clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence. Sometimes, dependent clauses add additional non-essential details. These steps will help you decide if a clause is essential or non-essential.
Step 1: Read the whole sentence and identify the clause. Underline the clause
Step 2: Read the sentence without the clause. Does it make enough sense?
Step 3: Read the sentence again, but this time with the clause. Does it make more sense?
Step 4: If the sentence makes complete sense without the clause, place commas around the clause. If the sentence needs the clause to make sense, do not place commas around the clause.
Follow the steps above and practice with these two sentences. Only one sentence needs commas. Which one?
- Our hotel which was near the beach offered free room service.
- The room which has the ocean view is more expensive than the three-room suite.
Answer: The first sentence contains a non-essential clause, and therefore, will require commas around the clause.
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Hi,
Thank you again, your tips are great.
I always try to think about similarities with my language, portuguese, to understand better and assimilate a rule
About this kind of essencial and non-essential relative clause, in portuguese we have something similar: (i don’t know the technical name in translation, so i will translate it myself):
essential dependent clause = restrictive adjective subordinate clause
non-essential dependent clause =
explanatory adjective subordinate clauses.
The idea is the same, i think:
If the sentence make complete sense withouth the clause, put commas around the explanatory clause (non-essential).
If the sentence make not complete sense without the clause, don’t put commas arount the restrictive clause (essencial).
That is it, i suppose.
Great Work.
Thanks
Hi Vanres,
It’s always such a pleasure to hear from readers who like this site. Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad the tips were helpful.
I think your technique of finding a connection between the target language and your primary language is key to understanding. Some people confuse this with translating, but it’s not. Your technique is the right way. Sometimes, the grammars from one language to another won’t correspond as nicely as English and Portuguese, but connecting the fundamentals from one language to another can provide innumerable benefits.
Are you a teacher or a student? I’m always curious to know who my readers are!
Thanks again for reading!
Debra