Which statements describe characteristics of a nonrestrictive clause? Select three options. It is set off by commas. It contains a subject and a verb. It is not set apart by punctuation. It is essential to the meaning of the sentence. It adds nonessential information to the sentence.

The correct answers (simplified) are:

A.) It is set off by commas. (1)

B.) It contains a subject and a verb. (2)

E.) It adds nonessential information to the sentence. (5)

A nosrestrictive clause functions as a modifier to a noun (that is an object, person or concept). These clauses can be described by the following three options: it is set off by comas, it contains a subject and a verbs and it adds nonessential information to the sentence.

For example, in "Here is Bill Gates, who cofounded Microsoft software company" we can identify "who cofounded Microsoft software company" as a nonrestrictive clause modifying the noun BIll Gates. This clause can be describes as a nonrestrictive clause because it is separated by a comma, it adds nonessential information to identify who Bill Gates is and it must contain both a subject (who) and a verb (cofounded).