Appositives
By: Devin Barzallo
Breanne Rosario
What is it?
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An appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames the noun or
pronoun that it follows.
Appositives can either start in the beginning, middle or end of the sentence.
How to recognize it?
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It is set off by commas unless closely tied to the word that it identifies or renames
"Closely tied" means that it is needed to identify the word.
My son Carl is a medical technician. (no commas)
Badger, our dog with a missing leg, has a love for cats. (commas needed)
Why Use Appositives?
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The function of appositive is to provide information, which is either essential or additional.
Gives meanings to different sentences in literary texts, and helps in identifying other nouns.
Defines, explains and clarify the meanings of a sentence.
Helps to combine sentences to avoid choppy and short sentences.
Give variety to a literary work by using sentences of varied lengths
Allows the writers to use interesting details with smooth flow of reading experience.
Non-restrictive appositives
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Non-restrictive appositives are not crucial to the meaning of the sentence.
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ie) "Alan, the chief executive of the project, has just called for a meeting ",
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"the chief executive of the project" doesn't narrow down the first element "Alan".
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It rather provides additional information about it.
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Non-restrictive appositives are put between commas.
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Restrictive Appositives
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In a restrictive appositive, the second element limits or clarifies a word in some crucial way.
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ie) "my friend Leila writes good poems "
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The name " Leila" tells us which friend the speaker is talking about and is thus restrictive.
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Restrictive appositives don't need to be set off with a pair of commas.
Restrictive or Nonrestrictive?
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Appositives can sometimes be either restrictive or nonrestrictive depending on the contex
○ My little sister Ella will escort you to your seat.
this sentence would be correct if the writer has two or more little sisters, but would be incorrect if they only
have one.
Appositives can be long or short...
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The beast, a lion, was starting to show interest in our party.
a. (In this example, the appositive is a noun.)
The beast, a large lion with a mane like a bonfire, was starting to show interest in our party.
a. (In this example, the appositive is a noun phrase.)
The beast, a large lion with a mane like a bonfire which was looking hungry, was starting to show
interest in our party.
a. (In this example, the appositive is a noun clause.)
What to avoid!
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Don’t use too many commas, or unnecessary commas.
Avoid unnecessary appositives
○ While they are useful, they can sometimes make sentences confusing.
CONFUSING: By 1705, ten years after the Press Act, numbers had risen again, and there were about 62 [print
houses], not including the royal printers.
LESS IS MORE: By 1705, numbers had risen again, and there were about 62 [print houses]
Now it’s your turn
Identify the appositive
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During the dinner conversation, Clifford, the messiest eater at the table, spewed mashed potatoes like an
erupting volcano.
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My 286 computer, a modern-day dinosaur, chews floppy disks as noisily as my brother does peanut brittle.
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Genette's bedroom desk, the biggest disaster area in the house, is a collection of overdue library books, dirty
plates, computer components, old mail, cat hair, and empty potato chip bags.
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Reliable, Diane's eleven-year-old beagle, chews holes in the living room carpeting as if he were still a puppy.
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My mom, who is a nurse, drives a red car.
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The boy who painted this picture is named Kevin.
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Sarah's dog Rover is a golden retriever.
Correct Answers
During the dinner conversation, Clifford, the messiest eater at the table, spewed mashed potatoes like an erupting
volcano.
My 286 computer, a modern-day dinosaur, chews floppy disks as noisily as my brother does peanut brittle.
Genette's bedroom desk, the biggest disaster area in the house, is a collection of overdue library books, dirty plates,
computer components, old mail, cat hair, and empty potato chip bags.
Reliable, Diane's eleven-year-old beagle, chews holes in the living room carpeting as if he were still a puppy.
Does The Following Sentence Need A Comma? No More
Commas ? Or Needs To Get Rid Of A Comma?
1.
That ladybug, an insect, just landed on the, rose bush.
2.
Mr. Harrison the principal at my school, wears a tie every day.
3.
I like spaghetti, an Italian dish with noodles and sauce.
4.
Marcus, my sister's hamster, likes to run, in a wheel.
5.
The play was brilliant, and I enjoyed Mary, the best actress in our school.
6.
I really like my grandfather's horse, Chester. (her grandfather has many horses)
7.
My sister, Jane is 27 years old ( she only has 1 sister)
Correct answers
1. That ladybug, an insect, just landed on the rose bush.
2. Mr. Harrison, the principal at my school, wears a tie every day.
3. I like spaghetti, an Italian dish with noodles and sauce.
4. Marcus, my sister's hamster, likes to run in a wheel.
5. The play was brilliant, and I enjoyed Mary, the best actress in our school.
6. I really like my grandfather's horse Chester.
Real life examples
https://youtu.be/eHLRr8sayls
Jeopardy Review Game!
http://www.superteachertools.us/jeopardyx/jeopardy-reviewgame.php?gamefile=1514855#.VhXhoOxVhBc