The following explains the answers to Test Yourself: Relative Clauses in Paragraphs

Correct!

Sentence 1

One of the options that we considered was using indomethacin.

Explanation

In this sentence, the clause "that we considered" is essential. Without this clause, the meaning of the sentence would be unclear: Which option? Answer: the one that we considered using. Because the clause is essential, it requires the relative pronoun "that" and needs no punctuation.

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The following explains the answers to Test Yourself: Relative Clauses in Paragraphs

Correct!

Sentence 2, first clause

Indomethacin, which is one of the most commonly used antiinflammatory drugs, was not successful, so we decided to use piroxicam...

Explanation

The sentence would be clear without this clause. The clause is merely descriptive, indicating that Indomethacin is one of the most commonly used antiinflammatory drugs. It is therefore non-essential and requires the use of the pronoun "which" and is punctuated with paired commas.

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The following explains the answers to Test Yourself: Relative Clauses in Paragraphs

Correct!

Sentence 2, second clause

...so we decided to use piroxicam, which is known to have fewer side effects.

Explanation

If this clause were removed, the sentence would still be clear. The clause is descriptive, indicating this family of drugs is known to have fewer side effects. It is therefore non-essential and requires the use of the pronoun "which" and is punctuated with a paired comma.

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The following explains the answers to Test Yourself: Relative Clauses in Paragraphs

Trick Question! Neither the relative pronoun"that" nor "which" would be correct

Sentence 3: This is not grammatical!

The patient responded well to this treatment, which was a relief to us.

Explanation

Remember to watch for "which" clauses at the end of sentences that do not have a clear reference. Was it the treatment that was a relief? It is more likely that the response of the patient to the treatment was a relief.

Because a "which" clause cannot modify an entire sentence but only a noun, it would be better to revise this sentence. Here is one possible revision:

Revision

The patient responded well to this treatment; her response was a relief to us.

In the revised example, it is now clear what exactly was a relief: it was not the treatment but the patient's response to the treatment. Also see "Which Clauses."

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