Scribd
Upload
308 views

Appositives PDF

This document defines and provides examples of appositives. It explains that an appositive is a noun that immediately follows and renames another noun to clarify or classify it. Appositives can reduce wordiness, add detail, and vary sentence structure. The document provides guidelines for identifying, punctuating, and testing appositives. It distinguishes between restrictive and nonrestrictive appositives and explains their different punctuation rules. Examples are given to illustrate appositive usage and structure.

Uploaded by

nil zafin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
308 views

Appositives PDF

This document defines and provides examples of appositives. It explains that an appositive is a noun that immediately follows and renames another noun to clarify or classify it. Appositives can reduce wordiness, add detail, and vary sentence structure. The document provides guidelines for identifying, punctuating, and testing appositives. It distinguishes between restrictive and nonrestrictive appositives and explains their different punctuation rules. Examples are given to illustrate appositive usage and structure.

Uploaded by

nil zafin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

San Jos State University Writing Center

http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/
Written by Sarah Andersen
Revised September 2012
Appositives

What is an appositive?

An appositive is a noun1 that immediately follows and renames another noun in order to clarify
or classify it.

Why are appositives used?

Appositives are used to reduce wordiness, add detail, and add syntactic2 variety to a sentence.
My teacher is a tough grader.
Mrs. Green is a tough grader.

My teacher Mrs. Green is a tough grader.

How can I identify an appositive?

Appositives immediately follow a noun; an appositive will always help to identify the noun.
One or two words, often including a name: Ms. Wood, Sallys teacher, assigned a research
project.
Three or four words, often including some detail: Ms. Wood, Sallys fifth grade teacher,
assigned a research project.
Four or more words, often including extensive detail: Ms. Wood, Sallys favorite teacher in
the school, assigned a research project.

The previous examples show how an appositive can come after a noun it renames. However,
appositives can also stand as the introductory phrase of a sentence before the noun it renames to
add sentence variety.
After a noun: Ms. Wood, Sallys favorite teacher in high school, is friendly and
approachable.
Before a noun: Sallys favorite teacher in high school, Ms. Wood is friendly and
approachable.

Similarly, an appositive can be found as a phrase at the end of a sentence.


Martha ate lunch at Chilis, her favorite restaurant on the weekends.
My uncle was staying at the Holiday Inn, the most affordable hotel in the neighborhood.

How do I test for an appositive?

To test to see if an appositive is needed, replace the appositive with the noun being modified.
The sentence should make sense if you substitute the appositive for the noun or noun phrase.
Without substitution: Ms. Wood, Sallys favorite teacher in the school, is friendly and
approachable.
With substitution: Sallys favorite teacher in the school is friendly and approachable.

1
A noun can name both concrete objects, such as a person, place, or thing, or abstract ideas, such as a feeling.
2
Syntax is the sequence in which words are put together to form sentences.
San Jos State University Writing Center
http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/
Written by Sarah Andersen
Revised September 2012

How do I punctuate appositives?

Appositives may or may not be crucial to identify the noun or noun phrase.

If an appositive is necessary to understand the identity of the noun or noun phrase that is being
modified, the appositive is restrictive. Restrictive appositives are not set off with commas.

Marks teacher John Smith served in the army.

If we removed the appositive, we would understand that Marks teacher served in the army, but
the sentence loses clarity. Without the appositive, we are unsure which of Marks teachers is
being referred to. Therefore, this appositive is restrictive and has no commas.

If an appositive is unnecessary to understand the identity of the noun or noun phrase it is


identifying, it is nonrestrictive. Nonrestrictive appositives are set off with commas.

Freds biology teacher, Ted Jones, served in the navy.

If we removed the appositive, we would still understand that Freds biology teacher served in the
navy. Although the appositive adds detail to the sentence, the audience already understands
which specific teacher is being referred to; including the name is unnecessary. Therefore, this
appositive is nonrestrictive.

Exercise:
Underline the appositive.
Identify the appositive as restrictive (no commas) or nonrestrictive (commas).
Punctuate the appositive appropriately.

1. One of their favorite baseball players Barry Bonds played for the San Francisco Giants.

2. My third grade teacher Mrs. Brown is now retired.

3. President Obama the popular US president usually presents eloquent speeches.

4. The Lincoln Memorial a beautiful structure is located near the Washington Monument.

5. Sally Bills younger sister is afraid of heights.

6. Your cousin Danielle has beautiful hair.

7. Elvis Presley my favorite musician will be legendary for decades to come.

8. A credible author Stephen King has written many horror novels.

9. My neighbor Ann an elderly woman loves to plant her own vegetables.

10. The famous musician Stevie Wonder is completely blind.


San Jos State University Writing Center
http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/
Written by Sarah Andersen
Revised September 2012

Exercise Answer Key:

1. Restrictive - One of his favorite baseball players Barry Bonds played for the San Francisco
Giants.
2. Nonrestrictive - My third grade teacher, Mrs. Brown, is now retired.
3. Nonrestrictive - President Obama, the popular US president, usually presents eloquent
speeches.
4. Nonrestrictive The Lincoln Memorial, a beautiful structure, is located near the
Washington Monument.
5. Nonrestrictive Sally, Bills younger sister, is afraid of heights.
6. Restrictive - Your cousin Danielle has beautiful hair.
7. Nonrestrictive - Elvis Presley, my favorite musician, will be legendary for decades to come.
8. Nonrestrictive - A credible author, Stephen King has written many horror novels.
9. Nonrestrictive - My neighbor Ann, an elderly woman, loves to plant her own vegetables.
10. Restrictive - The famous musician Stevie Wonder is completely blind.

You might also like