Writing Appositives

Is this an essential appositive or a nonessential appositive? Clarence, an angel, must accomplish this goal by helping the character George Bailey realize what a wonderful life he has had.

• Essential (or restrictive) appositive

• Nonessential (or nonrestrictive) appositive

True or false?

Eliminating the nonessential appositive changes the basic meaning of the sentence.

• True

• False

True or false?

Nonessential appositives are set off with commas.

• True

• False

If the appositive is important or essential to the meaning of your sentence, do not use commas to off set the appositive.

• True

• False

What is the appositive phrase in the following: Clarence, an angel, must accomplish this goal by helping the character George Bailey realize what a wonderful life he has had.

• Clarence, an angel,

• George Bailey

• , must accomplish this goal by helping the character George Bailey realize what a wonderful life he has had.

• what a wonderful life he has had.

Remember the appositive adds detail. If it is essential information,  no commas are needed. Make sure whatever you see as the appositive is the add on not the important information.

•  My mom, a nurse drives a red car.

• My mom, a nurse, drives a red car.

• My mom a nurse drives a red car.

An appositive provides more information about a noun.

• Yes

• No

An appositive can be set apart by 1 or 2 commas.

• Yes

• No

Choose the appositive in the sentence.
Jada, my sister, is beautiful.

• Jada

• sister

• beautiful

Choose the appositive.
John, where are you moving? I am moving to the best state in America, Texas.

• John

• Texas

• no appositive