nonrestrictive clause
- noun
- /ˌnɒnrɪˈstrɪktɪv klɔːz/
- Specialized
:
cláusula no restrictiva
- The phrase 'which was painted red' in the sentence 'The car, which was painted red, belongs to my brother' is a nonrestrictive clause.
Examples
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A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information.
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Nonrestrictive clauses are usually set off by commas.
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A nonrestrictive clause can add details to a sentence without changing the fundamental meaning.
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My brother, who lives in Canada, uses a nonrestrictive clause.
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A nonrestrictive clause, which adds extra information to a sentence, is often set off by commas.
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The book, which includes a nonrestrictive clause, provides examples of its usage in detail.
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In the sentence, "My brother, who loves to play guitar, is coming over," the phrase "who loves to play guitar" is a nonrestrictive clause.
Synonyms
A part of a sentence that gives extra information about a noun, usually set off by commas
Antonyms
- Specialized
1
7.5
A part of a sentence that gives essential information about a noun and is not set off by commas
How Restrictive
- Specialized
1
7.5
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is compositionally predictable: 'nonrestrictive' (not limiting; adding extra information) directly modifies 'clause' (a unit with subject and predicate), so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a clause that provides additional, non-defining information. Though somewhat technical, the adjective+noun construction follows standard semantic composition and is cross-linguistically transparent.
Etymology
Nonrestrictive clause is like a small note placed next to a noun, usually set off by commas. It gives 'extra' information but 'does not change' which thing we mean, so the sentence still makes sense without it.