Grammar-Quizzes › Clauses › Relative Clauses › Some or All
Some or All
Recognize a "restrictive" vs. a "nonrestrictive" clause
Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive
| RESTRICTIVE — SOME |
|---|
When speaking in general (people, candy, cars, etc.) a restrictive clause (identifying clause) narrows the group, kind or type. It limits the general noun to a specific group or one. (The logic of the sentence is often lost if the modifying clause is removed.) |
| TRUE FOR ONE (SPECIFIED BY DESCRIPTION0 |
Chocolate […] is bitter. (not always true)
|
Gum […] doesn't have long-lasting flavor. (not always true) |
A kitchen […] raises the value of the house. (not always true)
|
Chocolate
Gum
A kitchen| NONRESTRICTIVE — ALL |
|---|
A nonrestrictive clause (nonidentifying) refers to all in general. It adds extra, nondefining information to the noun before it. The comment does not limit the noun to a smaller group. (The logic of the sentence remains if the clause is removed.) |
| TRUE FOR ALL (A GENERALIZATION W/ COMMENT) |
Chocolate […] has some health benefits. (true)
|
Bubblegum […] has long-lasting flavor. (true) |
A kitchen […] is the "heart" of the house. (true) |
Chocolate
Bubblegum
A kitchen¹Some products labeled "chocolate" do not actually have cacao in them.
²Bubblegum is made from a synthetic-based gum material. See Wikipedia–"Bubblegum".
benefit (N) —something that is an advantage, a good thing or service; (V) — give advantage, do good to
define (V) — to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of
irresistible (Adj — not able to resist it; very appealing or desirable, enticing, delicious
restrict (V) — limit, narrow
Related page Comma–Comments (aside comments)
(Azar 13-11) (Swan 411.1-7) (Huddleston14 §9, 3 §1.4, 12 §4.1[7] ) (Lunsford 234, 355)
Identifying vs. Nonidentifying Clause
Punctuation
An Identifying vs. Nonidentifying Clause
| IDENTIFYING CLAUSE (RESTRICTIVE) – SOME |
|---|
|
Candy that contains chocolate is dangerous to dogs. Candy containing chocolate is dangerous to dogs. |
People who have a "sweet tooth" consume too much sugar. People having a "sweet tooth" consume too much sugar. People with a "sweet tooth" consume too much sugar. |
A clause that identifies the noun before it (tells you which one) is not set off with Commas (which). | NONIDENTIFYING CLAUSE (NONRESTRICTIVE) – ALL |
|---|
|
Candy, which is a sweet, is irresistible to children. |
People, who don't always do what is good for them, consume a lot of sugar. |
A clause that adds extra, nonidentifying information is set off with comma(s). energy efficient (Adj) — saves, conserves energy
irresistible (Adj) — difficult to say "no" to.
set off (V) — separate, show as different, such as an aside comment
¹An object relative pronoun can be omitted from an identifying clause.
Works Cited
- Azar, Betty Schrampfer, and Stacy A. Hagen. Understanding and Using English Grammar. 4th ed., Pearson Education, 2009.
- Huddleston, Rodney D., and Geoffrey K. Pullum. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge UP, 2002.
- Lunsford, Andrea A., and Robert J. Connors. The New St. Martin's Handbook. 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, 1999.
- Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage. 3rd ed., Oxford UP, 2005.
Common Mistakes
Errors and Solutions
Error and Solution
| ERROR |
|---|
People, who are under the age of 18, may not smoke. (It assumes that all people are age 18.) |
Cars that are major purchases can rapidly lose their value after an accident. |
| SOLUTION |
|---|
People who are under the age of 18 may not smoke. |
Cars, which are major purchases, can rapidly lose their value after an accident. (Change "that" to "which" and add Commas (which). The clause does not narrow the group to a specific kind.) |
Practice 1
Some or all?
Decide whether the clause refers to a some (a limited group or particular one) or all.
- Select commas or no commas depending on whether the clause requires puncutation.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "Check" or the "Check 1-10" button.
Practice 2
Is it a Bargain?
Read for Punctuation Errors
People who love bargains don't always consider where a product comes from before they buy it. People who are socially conscious look into where a product was made and the conditions of the workers who produced it. They tie its price to fair labor practices.
Fair labor practices which look good on paper may be hard for a consumer to actually observe when shopping. Fair practices that are sustainable balance the wage of the worker with the price of the product.
A fair wage to which every worker has a right depends on a good economy and demand for the product. A fair wage on which a person can live means that the person can support himself and afford the product he makes.
The price of a product that is affordable generally has a short supply chain. It needs less packaging and transportation and it passes through fewer middlemen to get to the consumer.
The price of a product which may vary from store to store is generally lower if the product is made locally: it has a shorter trip to the market.
People who buy locally made goods (products) are making smart choices. Consumers who drive the market need to check where a product comes from before buying it. In this way, they can encourage producers to make products using fair labor practices.
affordable — can be afforded; has enough money to buy
bargain (N) — good price, a good deal
conscious — aware, sensitive to surroundings (caring)
consumer — person who buys goods (products) and services
demand (N) — need or desire that people have for a product or service
determine (V) — cause, control, decide
drive (V) — influence, affect, cause change
look into (V) — inquire, investigate, research
looks good on paper — in plan, theoretically
the market (N) — the system in which all prices and wages depend on what goods people want to buy, how many they buy
middleman (N) — someone who buys things in order to sell them to someone else, or who helps to arrange business deals for other people
observe (V) — follow, to keep or maintain in one's action, conduct
source (N) — where something comes from
supply chain (business term) — a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer.
sustainable (Adj) — able to continue without causing damage or failing
Edit for Errors
- Edit the modifying clauses for punctuation in the text box.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "Check" or the "Check 11-20" button.