Name: Date: Period:

G9-12.ECRS.B13-A: Parenthetical Phrases and Relevancy

Introduction:
You can add depth to your writing by using parenthetical phrases. In this unit, well go over a few common types
of parenthetical phrases, learn how to punctuate them, and begin using them to add supporting details to our
writing.
Link to the ECRS: Use commas to set off simple parenthetical phrases (COP.20A)

Key Information:
Commas can be used to add supporting details to a sentence. We call this kind of information that isnt
essential (but is relevant) a parenthetical phrase. In writing, always use commas to offset parenthetical
phrases.

Parenthetical phrases add relevant, nonessential details to your writing. If the parenthetical phrase has nothing
to do with the immediate topic in the sentence, it is likely irrelevant.

Relevant Parenthetical Information

EXAMPLE: VCU, an 11
th
-seeded team, has
pulled off two upsets in the 2011
NCAA mens basketball
tournament.

WHY?: The information about the team
being seeded 11
th
gives the reader
more information about the scale
of the upset.
Irrelevant Parenthetical Information

EXAMPLE: VCU, a school with cutting-edge
medical center, has pulled off two
big upsets in the 2011 NCAA
mens basketball tournament.

WHY?: The information about the
schools medical center has
nothing to do with basketball.

Define the following terms in your own words:

Relevant

Nonessential


The Basics:
The following sentences contain parenthetical phrases. If the information is relevant, mark the sentence with the
word relevant. If the information is irrelevant, re-write it using a relevant clause.

1. The bus, which I take to school every day, often makes me late to first period.
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. The principal, who loves basketball, is not happy when I am late to school.
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Consequently, I will catch an earlier bus to school.
___________________________________________________________________________________


Practice:
Identify the information contained between the commas as essential or non-essential. If the phrases are
essential, re-write the sentence without the commas. If the phrase is nonessential, explain why.

1. Fish tacos, by the way, are my favorite food. ESSENTIAL / NONESSENTIAL

___________________________________________________________________________________

2. I do not like flautas, which are deep-fried. ESSENTIAL / NONESSENTIAL

___________________________________________________________________________________


3. My brother, however, prefers flautas. ESSENTIAL / NONESSENTIAL

___________________________________________________________________________________

4. On the other hand, my mother doesnt like either. ESSENTIAL / NONESSENTIAL

___________________________________________________________________________________

5. People, who dont like tacos, are crazy. ESSENTIAL / NONESSENTIAL
___________________________________________________________________________________

How it looks on the EPAS (EXPLORE, PLAN or ACT):
Certain words and/or phrases below are underlined and numbered. In the
right-hand column, you will find alternatives for the underlined part. If the
original version is best, choose NO CHANGE.

Whitney Houston was an American recording artist, actress, producer,

and model. Houston, the most awarded female act of all time, was one
[2]
of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million

albums, singles and videos worldwide. She released seven studio

albums and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have

diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification. She starred in

movies such as The Bodyguard and The Preachers Wife, which had

the best-selling gospel album in history.
[2]


1. A. NO CHANGE
B. Houston the most awarded female act of
all time, was
C. Houston, was
D. OMIT



2. A. NO CHANGE
B. which had the
best-selling gospel album in history
C. which, had the best-selling gospel album
in history
D. OMIT the underlined phrase

Whats the Rule?
Parenthetical phrases include information that _______________________ to the overall meaning or
understanding of a sentence.