Here's what makes it nonrestrictive:
* It's set off by commas. This visually separates the phrase from the main sentence.
* It doesn't limit the noun it modifies. The sentence makes sense even without the phrase.
Examples:
* "My dog, a fluffy golden retriever, loves to chase squirrels."
* The phrase "a fluffy golden retriever" is nonrestrictive. We already know which dog is being discussed, and the sentence still makes sense without it: "My dog loves to chase squirrels."
* "The car, which was red, was parked in the driveway."
* The phrase "which was red" is nonrestrictive. We know what car is being discussed, and the sentence still makes sense without it: "The car was parked in the driveway."
Contrast with Restrictive Phrases:
* Restrictive phrases are essential to understanding the sentence. They provide crucial information about the noun.
* They are NOT set off by commas.
Example:
* "The dog that chased the squirrels is in the backyard."
* The phrase "that chased the squirrels" is restrictive. It tells us which specific dog is being discussed. Without it, the sentence is unclear: "The dog is in the backyard."
Key takeaway: Nonrestrictive phrases provide extra information without changing the core meaning of the sentence, and they are always set off by commas.