Nonessential
Adjective
Clauses
Examples
Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, who was one of the greatest philanthropists of
Azerbaijan, went from rags to riches.
Andrew Carnegie, whose formal education ended when he left Scotland,
found a job in a cotton factory in Pittsburgh at the age of 14.
Before Carnegie died, there were more than 2,500 public libraries, which were located
in
the English- speaking world.
Explanations
Some adjective clauses are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. A nonessential
adjective clause adds extra information.
A nonessential adjective clause is separated by commas from the main part of the
sentence.
A nonessential adjective clause begins with who, whom, which, where, when or
whose. That
is not used in nonessential adjective clauses.
In these examples, the adjective clause is nonessential because, without it, we can
still identify the noun in the main clause.
Try reading the sentences without the adjective clause. The sentences are complete.
Essential
Adjective
Clauses
He paid for the studies of the young people who were studying at various
universities abroad.
He always remembered the day when he wanted to use a library in Pittsburgh but was
not allowed to enter.
In these sentences, the adjective clause is essential because, without it, we can't
identify the noun. If we take the adjective clause out, the noun isn't properly
identified and the idea isn't complete.