TSA CBT Practice Test

What function do restrictive phrases and clauses serve?

1. They provide incidental information.

2. They are not essential to the meaning.

3. They provide necessary information to identify what is being described.

4. They always require commas for clarity.

The correct answer is: They provide necessary information to identify what is being described.

Restrictive phrases and clauses are essential in providing necessary information that helps to clearly identify the nouns they describe. They are often critical for the sentence's meaning, as they specify the subject being discussed without which the sentence would become vague or unclear. For instance, in the sentence “The students who study diligently will succeed,” the phrase “who study diligently” is restrictive because it specifies which students are being referred to, distinguishing them from others. The significance of restrictive phrases and clauses lies in their role; they ensure that the information being conveyed is precise and directly relevant to the subject in question. By doing so, they help the reader understand exactly who or what is being talked about, avoiding potential misunderstandings.