Non-essential and essential clauses

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Last updated 4:11 PM on 6/3/26
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7 Terms

1
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Non-essential and essential clauses

  • Can be removed without affecting meaning/grammar

  1. Often appear with:

    1. W-words (which, who)

    2. Nouns (appositives)

    3. Participles (-ed, -ing)

  2. If a sentence still makes sense when a word/phrase is crossed out, two commas must be placed around that information

  3. 2 commas does not automatically = NE

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Two commas vs period/semi-colon

  • Introductory phrases used to begin clauses can be used as NE within clauses (middle or end)

  • Single word transitions

    • Follow period or semi-colon used to begin a sentence or clause

    • Can also be used as NE in the middle of sentence or end as long as sentence still makes sense without it

  • Colon or dash

    • May be used after a NE word/phrase

    • Acceptable when definition/explanation follows

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Punctuating transitions

  • Transitions used as NE when it a part of a clause, and needs commas

  • Starts of new clause = period/semi-colon/colon

  • To check where transition belongs - determine what sentences they are supposed to connect with (Ex: contradictors = contradicting previous sentence or following sentence)

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“That”

  • Clauses beginning with that = essential (no commas or punctuation)

  • If “that” is deleted = no comma in its place

  • Comma only used if NE commas after

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Names or titles

  1. No commas = essential

  2. Two commas = NE

  • Mostly no commas (unless NE)

  • Commas around title or name = ONLY person/thing

  • No commas = One of multiple people or things

  • Usually 2 commas or no commas unless dependent phrase follows (uncommon exception)

6
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Non-essential clauses with dashes/parantheses

  • Two commas/dashes/parantheses = interchangeable

  • Except transitions (must be commas when used as NE)

  • Cannot mix and math (ex: comma before and dash after)

  • Either commas or parantheses not both = redundant; common error

7
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“Who”

  • Phrases beginning with “who” can be NE or essential

  • Have to consider whether meaning is essential or not

    • If referring to specific group of people = no commas

    • Referring to people in general = commas

  • 2 commas or no commas