Nonessential Clause Commas

The nonessential clause, which is also called the nonrestrictive clause, can be one of the most difficult clauses to identify and punctuate correctly. Sometimes, what is and isn’t nonessential material can be very subjective. A nonessential clause provides additional information to the main clause. These clauses are offset by commas. To identify nonessential clauses, try reading the sentence without the clause. If it still makes sense, offset the clause. If not, then the clause is essential, so it should not be offset with commas. Words that end in “-ing” are often indicators of nonessential clauses as well.

Example:

The referee raised the boxer’s arm, showing the audience that she was the victor.

In this sentence, “showing the audience that she was the victor” is the nonessential clause. It provides additional information on why the referee raised the boxer’s arm, but the sentence makes complete sense without this clause.

Example:

Vegetables, such as onions, lettuce and potatoes, are an important part of a balanced diet.

Examples are often nonessential clauses. However, it is important to make sure that the sentence can stand on its own without the nonessential clause. For this example, “Vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet” is a complete sentence.

Example:

Diners such as IHOP and Denny’s serve breakfast all day.

Here, “such as IHOP and Denny’s” is not offset with commas because it is essential to the meaning of the sentence. Although “Diners serve breakfast all day” is grammatically correct, it is not factually correct because not all diners serve breakfast all day. Whenever possible, avoid starting nonessential clauses with a coordinating conjunction. Oftentimes, these clauses are essential and can be integrated into the sentence by removing the commas. Unfortunately, this is not a hard and fast rule; sometimes, it is permissible.

When you are ready, try your hand at our nonessential clause quiz.