non-restrictive
Extra, not essential
Non-restrictive describes something that doesn't limit or narrow what it modifies.
In grammar, a non-restrictive clause adds extra information but isn't essential to identifying what's being discussed: My brother, who lives in Boston, is visiting uses commas to signal that the clause merely adds detail rather than specifying which brother.
The opposite is restrictive.
Renaming grammatical element
- clauseProvision in agreement
- modifierWord altering another
- relative clauseDependent modifier of nouns
- whichInterrogative for selection
parenthetical · nonessential · supplementary · descriptive · explanatory · additional · ancillary · nondefining
Brief theatrical digression
- digressionVeering off topic
- elaborationDevelopment through detail
- expansionIncrease in scope
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
annotation · amplification · illustration · exposition · embellishment · flourish · detailing · contextualizing
Punctuation for pauses
- dashesShort fast races
- parenthesesCurved enclosing punctuation marks
- bracketsMarks setting off text
- em dashLongest horizontal punctuation
offset · set off · delimiters · enclosing · separating · interrupters · boundary markers · comma splice
appositive
Renaming grammatical element
- clauseProvision in agreement
- modifierWord altering another
- relative clauseDependent modifier of nouns
which · parenthetical · nonessential · supplementary · descriptive · explanatory · additional · ancillary · nondefining · elaborative
aside
Brief theatrical digression
- digressionVeering off topic
- elaborationDevelopment through detail
- expansionIncrease in scope
commentary · annotation · amplification · illustration · exposition · embellishment · flourish · detailing · contextualizing · enhancement
commas
Punctuation for pauses
- dashesShort fast races
- parenthesesCurved enclosing punctuation marks
- bracketsMarks setting off text
em dash · offset · set off · delimiters · enclosing · separating · interrupters · boundary markers · comma splice
non-restrictiverestrictive
Imposing narrow boundaries
defining · essential · limiting · identifying · specifying
non-restrictiverestrictive
Imposing narrow boundaries
limiting · constraining · confining · binding · prohibitive