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restrictive (essential) clause

A clause that identifies which specific thing is meant, and so is never set off with commas.

A restrictive (essential) clause supplies information needed to identify which specific person or thing the sentence is talking about, and is never set off with commas — removing it would change what noun the sentence refers to.

Examples

  • Students who miss the deadline will lose credit.

See also

nonrestrictive (nonessential) clause adjective clause
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