uwhusky wrote:papgust wrote:uwhusky wrote:
Are who and where the same that they can both introduce either essential or non-essential modifiers? Is there a particular rule that is used to determine if the modifier is essential or non-essential?
I'm not sure whether i would be able to answer your first question. But i will try with the second one.
Basically, when Essential modifiers are removed from the sentence, the underlying meaning of the sentence is lost. Whereas, that is not the case with Non-essential modifiers - you don't lose the integrity of the sentence even if the modifiers are removed. So there is no particular rule IMO to determine whether a modifier is essential or not. It depends on the context of the sentence.
Sorry that I wasn't quite clear on this one. I meant that because you listed that "Who" is able to introduce either essential or non-essential modifier, is there a rule specific to who that determines which type of modifier is being used?
nope. the difference is context-based.
if the modifier in question NARROWS THE MEANING OR SCOPE of the noun that is modified, then you should use an ESSENTIAL modifier (without commas).
if the modifier DOES NOT narrow the meaning/scope, then you should use a NONESSENTIAL modifier (with commas).
for instance, imagine that your ex-girlfriend is a redhead, and that she is on the left side of some picture.
if she is the ONLY redhead in the picture, then you don't need to narrow anything down, so you should use a nonessential modifier:
the redhead, who is standing on the left, is my ex-girlfriend.
notice that this sentence still makes full sense even if the modifier is removed.
if there is at least one other redhead, then you need to narrow things down and thus must use an essential modifier:
the redhead who is standing on the left is my ex-girlfriend.
you can't remove this modifier without destroying the meaning of the sentence (although the remaining words would still be
grammatically correct).
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