They, that, this, and relative clauses.

Question

The bullet went through the vest, this/that caused fatal injuries. (is the comma correct here -linking a dependent clause) Does the sentence require 'and' or not- is it optional and would it need a comma.

When is this dependent and when is it independent.

For example. Could you not have- This/that was my last time at the event. (independent)

And here: My father, an experienced fisherman, plans to catch dinner everyday.

When is it essential information and when is it not. Logically you need to know he is a 'fisherman' but it's classed as non-essential. So what would be an essential example and why ?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

panda blue 483The bullet went through the vest, this/that caused fatal injuries. (is the comma correct here ~~linking a dependent clause) Does the sentence require 'and' or not~~ is it optional and would it need a comma.

You can do these:

1. The bullet went through the vest and caused fatal injuries.
2. The bullet went through the vest, which caused fatal injuries.
3.  The bullet went through the vest causing fatal injuries.
4. The bullet went through the vest, causing fatal injuries.

3. is OK because there is so little chance of interpreting the sentence to have a reference to a "vest which causes fatal injuries".

panda blue 483When is this dependent and when is it independent?

I have no idea what you're asking.

panda blue 483For example. Could you not have- This/that was my last time at the event. (independent)

Yes. Those are fine, but I don't know what makes you label them "independent".

panda blue 483And here: My father, an experienced fisherman, plans to catch dinner everyday.When is it essential information and when is it not. Logically you need to know he is a 'fisherman' but it's classed as non-essential. So what would be an essential example and why ?

"essential" (also called "restrictive" or "defining") refers to information that helps us find the referent (the thing in the real world that the words refer to).

If the noun phrase itself completely defines the referent, any further information is non-essential.

Essential information is the information without which you could not identify the referent.

my father completely defines an entity in the real world. In fact this example is easy to see because no matter which speaker says it, there is only one person on the planet who can be the referent.

Essential information says of the preceding noun "this one as distinguished from that one".

There is no possible essential example for the reasons given above.

My father who is a fisherman (no comma) chooses from all fathers 1) the one that is mine (and not any who are fathers of others) and 2) that particular father of mine who is a fisherman (and not any of my other fathers who may be carpenters or football champions).

Read 2) carefully and it should tell you why you can't have an essential clause after 'my father'.

CJ

They, that, this, and relative clauses.

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