Page 222 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Unit 12: Subordinating Conjunctions

3. Dashes surround abrupt or unexpected interruptions. Notes
The judges-those ignorant blockheads-gave the prize to Henry.
She was shocked-seeing the photo of a dangerous sex offender-to realize that he was her
next door neighbor!
Kate raced home-averaging 90 mph-and was pulled over for speeding.
Pattern #5: That ............... VC. SVC who ............... . Necessary or Essential Clauses
Essential clauses add necessary information that should not be set off by commas.

Essential clauses are not surrounded by commas.
S V C
The man who is standing next to George ran in the Boston Marathon.

The who clause is an essential part of the subject because it identifies the man.
S V C
Heather opened the door that led to the garage.

The that clause is an essential part of the completer because it identifies the door.
Differences between essential and nonessential clauses:
In the first sentence, we need the essential clause to identify the subject and tell us which woman.
Essential
The woman who just drove past owns the newest restaurant in town.
In the second sentence, the subject's identity is clear, and the clause provides additional
(nonessential) information about him.
Nonessential
My uncle George, who lifts weights every day, ran in the Boston marathon.

The word that often begins an essential clause:
He bought the car that had the lowest mileage.
The car that had the lowest mileage was the most expensive.
The word which often begins a nonessential clause:

He bought the red car, which I didn't like, for less than $1,000. (Pattern #4)
He bought the car for $1,000, which was a good deal for him. (Pattern #6)
Pattern #6: SVC, ....................... SVC: ....................... SVC-- ....................... .
Often, nonessential words, phrases, and subordinate clauses are added after the SVC and set off
with a comma, dash, or colon.
SVC, ....................... . Using Commas after the SVC
A comma sets off nonessential words after the SVC.

Henry was happy with his new car, naturally.
His parents' checking account was now very low, however.
A comma sets off nonessential phrases that follow the SVC.
Jane started to dance, whistling softly.

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