Appositives and Appositive Phrases

Front

What is an appositive?

Back

An appositive is a noun or pronoun that identifies or renames another noun or pronoun.

Front

What is an appositive phrase?

Back

An appositive phrase includes the appositive and any modifiers, providing additional information about the noun.

Front

What is the difference between essential and nonessential appositives?

Back

Essential appositives are necessary for the meaning of the sentence and are not set off by commas. Nonessential appositives add extra information and are set off by commas.

Front

When should you use commas with nonessential appositives?

Back

Nonessential appositives should be set off with commas to indicate that the information is additional and not crucial to the sentence's meaning.

Front

Provide an example of an essential appositive.

Back

My brother, a talented musician, will perform tonight. (Here, 'a talented musician' is essential to identify which brother.)

Front

Provide an example of a nonessential appositive.

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My brother, a talented musician, plays in a band. (Here, 'a talented musician' adds extra information about my brother.)

Front

What punctuation is used to set off nonessential appositives?

Back

Commas are used to set off nonessential appositives.

Front

What punctuation is used with essential appositives?

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Essential appositives do not use commas.

Front

Identify the appositive in the sentence: 'My friend Sarah is an excellent cook.'

Back

The appositive is 'Sarah'.

Front

What is the role of an appositive in a sentence?

Back

An appositive provides clarity by renaming or identifying a noun or pronoun.