Essential vs. Nonessential Appositives

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What is an appositive?

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An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or further describes another noun.

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What is the purpose of an appositive?

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To further describe a noun.

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What is an essential appositive?

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An essential appositive provides information that is necessary to understand the noun it describes.

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What is a nonessential appositive?

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A nonessential appositive adds extra information that can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.

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Example of an essential appositive: The Avenger Iron Man was one of the first team members. Identify the appositive.

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Iron Man.

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Example of a nonessential appositive: Steve Rodgers, also known as Captain America, was the first Avenger. Identify the appositive.

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also known as Captain America.

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How do you punctuate a nonessential appositive?

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Nonessential appositives are set off by commas.

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How do you punctuate an essential appositive?

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Essential appositives are not set off by commas.

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Identify if the appositive is essential or nonessential: Spiderman, a teenage boy, lives with his aunt.

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Nonessential.

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Identify if the appositive is essential or nonessential: The god of thunder Thor is from Asgard.

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Essential.