A restrictive<span> modifying </span>clause<span> (or essential </span>clause<span>) is an adjective </span>clause<span> that is essential to the meaning of a sentence because it limits the thing it refers to. The meaning of the sentence would change if the </span>clause<span> were deleted. Because</span>restrictive clauses<span> are essential, they are not set off by commas.</span>
