Question

Which clauses in these sentences are restrictive? The girl who owns a red car is the one we are looking for. The dog that ate my homework is called Henry. I’m saving the muffins that have cherries for my sister. The smile that she gave them was beautiful.

Answer 1

The clauses in these sentences that are restrictive are:

1.who owns a red car

2.that ate my homework

3.that have cherries

4.that she gave them

All these clauses are modifying the noun that precedes them.

Restrictive clauses limit or identify such nouns and cannot be removed from a sentence without changing the sentence’s meaning.

Restrictive clauses are usually introduced by the relative pronouns that, who, whom, or whose. A restrictive clause can have an identifying function. A  restrictive clause can have a limiting function. as well.

Answer 2

The restrictive clause provides the meaning of a noun phrase and a noun. It provides information about a noun which is necessary and is not separated by commas in the sentence. It is also referred to as an essential phrase or clause.

Hence, the sentences which are restrictive are,

'Who owns a red car.'

'That ate my homework.'

'that have cherries.'

'that she gave them.'

In the above-restricted clauses, it restricts the meaning of the subject.