RESTRICTIVE CLAUSE Meaning and
Definition
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A restrictive clause, also known as a defining or essential clause, is a grammatical structure that provides essential information about a noun or a noun phrase within a sentence. It cannot be removed from the sentence without altering its meaning or affecting its clarity. Restrictive clauses are often introduced by relative pronouns such as "who," "which," "that," or "whom."
These clauses act to restrict or define the noun they are modifying by providing specific and necessary details. They typically contain crucial information that is necessary to identify or distinguish the noun in question. For example, in the sentence "The book that I borrowed from the library is overdue," the restrictive clause "that I borrowed from the library" clarifies and restricts which book is being referred to.
Unlike non-restrictive or non-essential clauses, restrictive clauses are not set off by commas and are closely linked to the meaning of the main clause. Removing a restrictive clause will result in an incomplete or ambiguous sentence.
Restrictive clauses are commonly found in academic writing, technical documents, and formal speech as they contribute to precise and clear communication. Understanding the distinction between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses is essential for proper sentence construction and comprehension, enabling authors and speakers to convey information accurately and effectively.
Common Misspellings for RESTRICTIVE CLAUSE
- eestrictive clause
- destrictive clause
- festrictive clause
- testrictive clause
- 5estrictive clause
- 4estrictive clause
- rwstrictive clause
- rsstrictive clause
- rdstrictive clause
- rrstrictive clause
- r4strictive clause
- r3strictive clause
- reatrictive clause
- reztrictive clause
- rextrictive clause
- redtrictive clause
- reetrictive clause
- rewtrictive clause
- resrrictive clause
Etymology of RESTRICTIVE CLAUSE
The word "restrictive" originates from the verb "restrict", which came into English from the Latin verb "restrictus", meaning "drawn back" or "restrained". The term "clause" can be traced back to the Latin word "clausula", which means a "small separate portion" or "a closed section". Therefore, the etymology of "restrictive clause" reflects its function as a clause that limits or restricts the meaning of another part of a sentence.
Similar spelling words for RESTRICTIVE CLAUSE
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