Using Commas to Set off Using Commas to Set off Non-Restrictive ElementsNon-Restrictive Elements

Commas Here, No Commas There?

What’s going on?❖ The best idea that John ever had was to quit drinking soda.❖ The best ideas, which are not always easy to think of, are often the

most simple.❖ Pizza, my favorite meal, is easy to order but not so easy to make at

home.❖ It’s hard to order pizaa that everyone will like.

What is the difference?

❖ You need to use commas to set off non-essential (non-restrictive) elements from the rest of the sentence.

❖ You do NOT do this for essential (restrictive) elements.❖ The difference lies in whether the piece/element can be taken out or

not.

What is a Restrictive Element?

❖ A restrictive element is a phrase that restricts the meaning of a word or group of words in a sentence. It is essential to the meaning of the sentence.❖ The boy who lost his ballon is my nephew.❖ The plan that Jim has is not going to work.❖ The children need clothes that are easily washable.

❖ A restrictive element is a phrase that restricts the meaning of a word or group of words in a sentence.❖ The boy who lost his ballon is my nephew.❖ The plan that Jim has is not going to work.❖ The children need clothes that are easily washable.

You do not need to set these off with commas. They are essential to the

meaning of the sentence.

What is a non-restrictive element?

❖ A non-restrictive element is phrase that can be removed from a sentence and the meaning of the sentence remains the same. It is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and could be removed.

❖ You must set these phrases off from the rest of the sentence with commas.❖ My uncle, who lives in Maine, is a world-class skiier.❖ Why doesn’t Jane, who never does, just come over to visit sometimes?❖ People who forget their passwords, me included, need to have a better

system.

Non-restrictive elements can be deleted with no change in the

meaning.❖ A non-restrictive element is phrase that can be removed from

sentence and the meaning of the sentence remains the same.❖ My uncle is a world-class skiier. (“who lives in Maine” was removed)❖ Why doesn’t Jane just come over to visit sometimes? (“who never

does” was removed) ❖ People who forget their passwords need to have a better system.

(“me included” was removed)

You try. Does each sentence need editing?

❖The children will need sturdy shoes which are quite expensive.

❖Jim my friend who has serious allergies can’t eat mushroom pizza.

❖The United States Coastal Survey which was established in 1807 was the first scientific

agency in this country.

❖Jim can’t eat pizza that has mushrooms on it.

❖ Corporations that have stock holders must be extra careful with their decisions.