Commas in Appositives

Front

What is an appositive?

Back

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or explains another noun right beside it.

Front

How do you punctuate an appositive?

Back

An appositive is punctuated with commas if it is non-restrictive (not essential to the meaning of the sentence).

Front

What is a restrictive appositive?

Back

A restrictive appositive provides essential information about the noun it modifies and is not set off by commas.

Front

What is a non-restrictive appositive?

Back

A non-restrictive appositive adds extra information about the noun and is set off by commas.

Front

Example of a sentence with a non-restrictive appositive.

Back

My brother, a skilled chef, cooked dinner.

Front

Example of a sentence with a restrictive appositive.

Back

The author Mark Twain wrote many famous novels.

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in appositives?

Back

Commas clarify the sentence structure and indicate that the appositive is additional information.

Front

Identify the error: 'My sister a talented artist painted a mural.'

Back

The sentence is missing commas around the appositive 'a talented artist'.

Front

Correct the sentence: 'My sister Jane is a doctor.'

Back

The sentence is correct as it is; no commas are needed because 'Jane' is a restrictive appositive.

Front

Identify the error: 'My sister, who is a doctor loves to travel.'

Back

The sentence is missing a comma before 'loves'.