Front

What is an essential element in a sentence?

Back

An essential element provides necessary information to the meaning of the sentence and does not require commas.

Front

What is a non-essential element in a sentence?

Back

A non-essential element adds extra information but can be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning; it requires commas.

Front

Identify the punctuation rule for essential clauses.

Back

Essential clauses do not use commas because they are crucial to the sentence's meaning.

Front

Identify the punctuation rule for non-essential clauses.

Back

Non-essential clauses are set off by commas because they provide additional, non-crucial information.

Front

Example of a sentence with an essential clause.

Back

The book that I borrowed from you is fascinating.

Front

Example of a sentence with a non-essential clause.

Back

My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting this weekend.

Front

What is an appositive?

Back

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

Front

How do you punctuate an appositive?

Back

An appositive is usually set off by commas if it is non-essential.

Front

Example of a sentence with an appositive.

Back

My friend, a talented musician, is performing tonight.

Front

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

Back

Essential appositives are necessary for identifying the noun they modify, while non-essential appositives add extra information and are set off by commas.