Question

Read this sentence from “Letter From Birmingham Jail.”

If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work.

Which phrase from the sentence is an essential relative clause?
A. all the criticisms
B. that cross my desk
C. other than such correspondence
D. of the day

Answer 1

B. "that cross my desk"

Explanation: "that cross my desk" is a relative (restrictive) clause modifying "criticisms" — it specifies which criticisms and is essential to the meaning.