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SAT/ACT Lesson #3:Non-Essential and Essential Clauses331470010477500EXERCISE #1What does it mean if something is essential? What are some things that are essential to life? What does it mean if something is not essential? What things are not essential to life? What is funny about this cartoon? What do you think it means if part of a sentence is called “an essential clause?” What do you think it means if part of a sentence is called “a non-essential clause?” RULE #1: Commas should be used around non-essential words and phrases The man, who ordered another double anchovy pizza, claims to have a pet dolphin in his backyard pool.,who ordered another double anchovy pizza, is a non-essential clause. It isn’t needed in the sentence. It can be removed and the sentence still makes sense. The clue that it is non-essential is that it is surrounding by commas.Freddie hopes to return to Cairo, where he met a woman with haunting green eyes.*Circle the commas in the sentence. *Cross out the non-essential clause.Veronica, who needs an A on the final exam, is copying math answers on her bare ankle.*Circle the commas in the sentence. *Cross out the non-essential clause.EXERCISE #2NOTE: If you see a phrase surrounded by commas that starts with who or which, there is a good chance it is a non-essential clause. , whichthat always has a comma before itnever has a comma before it(circle the comma)Since an essential clause provides necessary limits on the vague noun in describes, use no punctuation to connect it. Circle the word that in the following sentence. Notice there is no comma before it.The car that Madeline purchased from a newspaper ad belches black smoke whenever she accelerates.When the clause becomes decorative rather than defining—or nonessential—you will then need to separate it with commas. Circle the commas in the following sentences. Then cross out the nonessential phrase within the commas.As we sped through the neighborhood, we spotted crows eating French fries tossed on the road. They did not fly to a tree as we expected. The birds, which never showed fear of the vehicle, watched as we swerved around them.The ancient Buick, which Madeline purchased from a newspaper ad, belches black smoke whenever she accelerates.What is the difference between the two following sentences? Why does one have commas and one does not? The rats are nesting in the closet where Grandmas hides her money. The rats are nesting in the master bedroom closet, where Grandma hides her money.What is the difference between these two sentences? Why does one have commas and one does not? The waiter who served the salad did not notice the caterpillar nibbling a lettuce leaf.Javier, who served the salad, did not notice the caterpillar nibbling a lettuce leaf.*In other words, if we don’t need the phrase in the sentence (if it’s an afterthought), the phrase needs to be surrounded by commas. If we need the phrase for the sentence to make sense, no commas are needed.EXERCISE #3Every phrase with commas around it is not necessarily non-essential. Sometimes the commas are there for other reasons. In the following sentence, only one phrase is non-essential (which means it can be removed from the sentence and it still will make sense). Find the non-essential phrase and cross it out.Sumo wrestling, a full-contact sport in which competitors attempt to force one another out of a circular ring, originated in Japan, which remains the only country in the world where it is practiced.Many transition words or phrases could be used:to start a clause ( ; transition word , ) orwithin a clause nonessentially ( , transition word , )Add in the punctuation around the word however in the following two sentences. Remember, if it is within a sentence, put commas around it. If it starts a new sentence, put a semicolon before it and a comma after it.Sentence #1: London is a very old city. It does however contain some modern neighborhoods.Why did you choose that punctuation? Sentence #2: London is a very old city however it does contain some modern neighborhoods.Why did you choose that punctuation? -228600342900Remember: a clause that starts with the word that never needs commas.To decide whether a clause is essential (no commas) or nonessential (commas), try taking it out and see if the sentence still makes sense and is still conveying the same message. If the sentence still makes sense with the phrase removed, put commas around it (because it can be removed from the sentence). If the sentence does not still make sense with the phrase removed, do NOT put commas around it.0Remember: a clause that starts with the word that never needs commas.To decide whether a clause is essential (no commas) or nonessential (commas), try taking it out and see if the sentence still makes sense and is still conveying the same message. If the sentence still makes sense with the phrase removed, put commas around it (because it can be removed from the sentence). If the sentence does not still make sense with the phrase removed, do NOT put commas around it.EXERCISE #4Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is correct, write C on the line provided.______The teacher was annoyed when Hillary who lives right across the street from school was late.______Children who get everything they want often appreciate nothing.______Some people don’t enjoy any game that they don’t win.______Were Daniel’s directions which were very brief clear to you?______Mark Twain who tried a dozen different types of jobs became a writer.______Have you listened to comedians who use satire to make fun of social customs?______We need a girl who can speak with a Southern accent to play the part.______Most of the things that we worry about never happen.______We lived on Oxford Drive which is close to the airport.______Is it true that people who are good at math often make good scientists? ................
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