Distinguishing between restrictive and nonrestrictive from context

Often it is difficult to tell whether a word group is restrictive or nonrestrictive without seeing it in context and considering the writer’s meaning. Both of the following sentences are grammatically correct, but their meaning is slightly different.

In the example without commas, the phrase made with fresh raspberries tells readers which of two or more desserts the writer is referring to. In the example with commas, the phrase merely adds information about the particular dessert.

The speaker of the first sentence opposes only certain taxes, while the speaker of the second opposes any new tax. Both sentences could be correctly punctuated, depending on the speaker’s meaning.

Exercise: Major uses of the comma 1

Exercise: Major uses of the comma 2

Exercise: All uses of the comma

Related topics:

Commas and restrictive and nonrestrictive elements: Overview

Commas with adjective clauses

Commas with adjective phrases

Commas with appositives