The appositive phrase
Let’s practice!
Directions: Underline the appositive phrase. Add the punctuation you feel
it deserves.
*An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right
beside it. The appositive can be a short or long combination of words. Look
at these examples:
The insect, a cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table.
The insect, a large cockroach with hairy arms, is crawling across the kitchen
table.
1. A hot-tempered tennis player Robbie charged the umpire and tried
to crack the poor man's skull with a racket.
2. John Kennedy the popular US president was known for his eloquent
and inspirational speeches.
3. The popular US president John Kennedy was known for his eloquent
and inspirational speeches.
* Dashes can also be used like commas or parentheses to set off part of a
sentence that is an aside. When you use dashes to set off a parenthetical
element, you’re using the strongest method possible to draw attention to it,
so be sure it merits the drama.
Frank—Ed’s evil twin brother—now had the upper hand.
You can also use dashes when you write long appositives that have many
commas.
My brother—the one with red hair, clown shoes, baseball hit, plaid
shirt, and striped pants—really likes you.
Take heed! Don’t overuse the dash. If you do, it will be like crying wolf.
Readers may stop believing that everything you say is so vitally important.
4. Mr. M. glanced surreptitiously at his watch his gold diamondencrusted watch and suggested the meeting might adjourn for the
day.
5.
Road biking sometimes a dangerous endeavor is the transportation
of choice for many commuters.
6.
Because of the dangers I would never ride without my most
important piece of equipment my helmet.
7. Have you ever read The Red Pony a novel by John Steinbeck?
Directions: WITH A PARTNER: Rewrite each sentence (on your desk with an
EXPO marker), adding punctuation as needed. OTHER GRADE
1. Materialism always wanting something more, something different is
good for the economy but bad for the soul.
2. People are summed up largely by the roles they fill in society wife or
Find an example from your independent reading book:
husband soldier or salesperson student or scientist and by the
______________________________________________________________
qualities that others ascribe to them.
______________________________________________________________
3. The king my brother has been murdered.
______________________________________________________________
4. Chemistry Sue's favorite subject is easy for her.
5. John blood dripping from his nose stepped into the room.