Short Answer 
A restrictive clause is essential to a sentence’s meaning, as it specifies the noun it modifies, while a non-restrictive clause provides extra, non-essential information often set off by commas. Recognizing these clauses impacts the clarity, meaning, and structure of sentences.
Step 1: Identify the Restrictive Clause
A *restrictive clause* is a part of a sentence that is crucial to its meaning. It provides essential information that identifies or specifies the noun it modifies. If this clause were removed, the overall meaning of the sentence would change significantly. For instance, in the sentence “The astronaut who first stepped on the moon was Neil Armstrong,” the clause ‚ÄöAuwho first stepped on the moon‚ÄöAu specifies which astronaut is being referred to.
Step 2: Differentiate from Non-Restrictive Clauses
Unlike restrictive clauses, *non-restrictive clauses* add extra information that is not essential for understanding the sentence. These clauses are often set off by commas and can be omitted without altering the core meaning. For example, in the sentence “The road, which was long and winding, took us deeper into the dark forest,” the clause ‚ÄöAuwhich was long and winding‚ÄöAu provides additional, but unnecessary, detail.
Step 3: Analyze the Example Sentences
When examining various sentences, it’s crucial to determine whether the clause is restrictive or non-restrictive. The only sentence that contains a restrictive clause among the examples provided is the one about Neil Armstrong. The importance of recognizing these clauses lies in how they affect sentence meaning, including:
- Identifying the specific subject or object of the sentence.
- Determining whether information is essential or supplementary.
- Understanding the sentence structure and its implications for clarity.