Commas in Appositives

Front

What is an appositive?

Back

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or provides additional information about another noun right beside it.

Front

How is a non-restrictive appositive punctuated?

Back

A non-restrictive appositive is punctuated with commas, as it adds extra information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Front

What is a restrictive appositive?

Back

A restrictive appositive provides essential information about the noun it modifies and is not set off by commas.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with a non-restrictive appositive.

Back

My brother, a skilled chef, is opening a new restaurant.

Front

Provide an example of a sentence with a restrictive appositive.

Back

The author Mark Twain wrote many famous novels.

Front

What is the purpose of using commas with appositives?

Back

Commas are used to clarify the sentence structure and indicate that the appositive is providing additional, non-essential information.

Front

Identify the error in this sentence: 'My friend the doctor is coming over.'

Back

The sentence lacks commas around the appositive 'the doctor,' which provides additional information about 'my friend.'

Front

What is the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive appositives?

Back

Restrictive appositives are essential to the meaning of the sentence and do not use commas, while non-restrictive appositives add extra information and are set off by commas.

Front

How do you determine if an appositive is restrictive or non-restrictive?

Back

If removing the appositive changes the meaning of the sentence, it is restrictive; if the meaning remains the same, it is non-restrictive.

Front

What is an example of incorrect comma usage with an appositive?

Back

My sister, Jane is a doctor. (The comma before 'Jane' is incorrect because 'Jane' is a restrictive appositive.)