Restrictive Clauses
A restrictive clause limits or defines the meaning of a noun or noun phrase and provides essential information about the noun in the sentence. It is not separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Restrictive clauses are more common in writing than nonrestrictive clauses. A restrictive clause is also sometimes referred to as an essential clause or phrase.
Here are a few examples:
The student who sits in the back of the room asks a lot of questions.
The results that I obtained may invoke positive social change.
The journalist whose story I read yesterday has won prizes for her work.
When the relative pronoun functions as the object of the sentence, it can (and often is) omitted from the relative clause.
Here are a few examples:
The results I obtained may invoke positive social change.
The article I requested did not arrive on time.
The participants I interviewed met me at the local library.
Nonrestrictive Clauses
A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information to a sentence. It usually refers to a proper noun or a common noun that identifies a unique person, thing, or event. It is separated by commas to indicate that the information is additional. The commas function almost like parentheses. If the information between the commas is omitted, the sentence still retains its core meaning. A nonrestrictive clause is also known as a nonessential clause or phrase.
Here are a few examples:
I want to thank my father, Mark Smith, for all of his love and support.
Without the nonrestrictive clause: I want to thank my father for all of his love and support.
The hypothesis, which I tested throughout the research, was rejected.
Without the nonrestrictive clause: The hypothesis was rejected.
I have found the article, which I have been looking for.
Without the nonrestrictive clause: I have found the article.
Although “that” is sometimes used in restrictive clauses, it is not allowed in nonrestrictive clauses.
✅ CORRECT: Minneapolis, which has a population of about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota.
❌ INCORRECT: Minneapolis, that has a population of about 400,000, is the largest city in Minnesota.
✅ CORRECT: I had to fix my printer, which I bought less than a year ago.
❌ INCORRECT: I had to fix my printer, that I bought less than a year ago.
A relative pronoun cannot be omitted in a nonrestrictive clause.
Reduced Relative Clauses
In academic writing, relative clauses are often reduced to create a more concise style and greater sentence variety. When reducing a relative clause, you must delete the relative pronoun and either delete or change the verb.
Examples:
Gun control is a controversial issue concerning personal rights. (“be” + prepositional phrase)
The steps followed were explained in the Methods section. (passive)
Other researchers exploring the same topic have discovered similar solutions. (progressive verb tense)
Participants available to meet in my office completed their interview there. (“be” + “-able” adjective)
Some of the subjects lived in urban areas with high crime rates. (“have” replaced by “with”)
In this paper, I reviewed many research articles addressing the topic of gun control. (“–ing” clause)
The changes to be implemented with the new curriculum revisions are outlined in the handout. (“to” clauses)
📝 EXERCISE
Look at the following sentences. Complete them using a pronoun:
who, that, which, where, when, whose
That’s the closet _______ I keep my money.
The city _______ I used to live in was not very small.
The ladies _______ house I am staying at are very nice to me.
Is this the shop _______ you said you sold the climbing equipment?
Here is the spot _______ my uncle always used to talk about.
I am in need of a jacket _______ will keep me dry.
The nurse _______ examined the patient was very delicate.
I live in Australia, _______ is a heavily populated country.
Mike has a class of students _______ native tongue is not Spanish.
Last week, I saw an old friend _______ I hadn’t seen for ages.
In which of these sentences can the pronoun be omitted?
Answer key
1, 2, 5, 10
Ángela Maria Cardona Leon
I´m quite lost at something: the words "who, that, which, where, when, whose" are pronouns? What kind of pronouns are they? relative pronouns?
And also, I don´t get how can we get rid of the pronouns in sentences 1, 2, 5, 10... I mean, do I just have to "delate" those words and the sentence will still be correct?
Brian David Pajares Correa
You mean delete?
Natalia Abello
It is a shame your question has not been answered yet because I have the same inquiry.
JOSE FERNANDO CARDOZO OJEDA
Is it also correct to use "who" instead of "that" in sentence number 7 since we are referring to a person? if not, why?
Angelo Díaz
Company_adminI also have the same question, and I also did it in the number 10. Any help there?
Yohan Florez
I have the same problem, If you correct theses sentences using platzi AI, both are possible options.
Natalia Abello
I re-wrote these sentences without the pronoun:
That's the closet I keep my money in.
The city I used to live in was not very small.
Here is the spot my uncle always used to talk about.
Last week, I saw an old friend I hadn´t seen for ages.
Are these correct?
Bramucci Candela
They are. (I left a further explanation in the other comment of this class)
Andres David Bolaños Patiño
*That’s the closet WHERE I keep my money. *The city WHICH I used to live in was not very small. *The ladies WHOSE house I am staying at are very nice to me. *Is this shop WHERE you said you sold the climbing equipment? *Here is the spot WHICH my uncle always used to talk about. *I am in need of a jacket THAT will keep me dry. *The nurse WHO examined the patient was very delicate. *I live in Australia, WHICH is a heavily populated country. *Mike has a class of students WHOSE native tongue is not Spanish. *Last week, I saw an old friend WHICH I hadn’t seen for ages.
Michael Gamba
That’s the closet where I keep my money. The city where I used to live in was not very small. The ladies whose house I am staying at are very nice to me. Is this shop where you said you sold the climbing equipment? Here is the spot that my uncle always used to talk about. I am in need of a jacket that will keep me dry. The nurse who examined the patient was very delicate. I live in Australia, which is a heavily populated country. Mike has a class of students whose native tongue is not Spanish. Last week, I saw an old friend that I hadn’t seen for ages.
Michael Gamba
Ghyna V
I copied these examples from the session with some words to reduce.
Jheison Emmanuel Ramírez Cano
I was looking for the meaning of this example, finally I understand it due to you, thank you so much.
Jose Alfredo García Rivas
That’s the closet where I keep my money. The city where I used to live in was not very small. The ladies whose house I am staying at are very nice to me. Is this shop where you said you sold the climbing equipment? Here is the spot that my uncle always used to talk about. I am in need of a jacket that will keep me dry. The nurse who examined the patient was very delicate. I live in Australia, which is a heavily populated country. Mike has a class of students which native tongue is not Spanish. Last week, I saw an old friend that I hadn’t seen for ages.
Alejandro Argumedo Moreno
where where whose that that which that which whose that
Nicolás Calderón
hola 67
Reina Patricia Calderón González
Henry Suro
JULIA LEONOR TRIAY TORRES
?
Henry Suro
ARMANDO DE LA FUENTE TREVINO
Edgar Guadalupe Castañeda Nuñez
Orlando Galdamez Guevara
PAOLA SCARLETH TORRES MELARA
where
where
whose
where
where
which
that
which
whose
that
