Appositives — Definition, Use, and Examples
What is an appositive?
An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that follows another noun or noun phrase. Appositives clarify or provide additional information that redefines, renames, or modifies the main noun. The two types of appositives are essential (restrictive) and or nonessential (nonrestrictive).
Essential clauses contain necessary information critical to the meaning of the sentence. Removing the phrase would make the sentence too vague as it does not contain enough information.
My friend Diane owes me $10.
The proper noun “Diane” is an essential part of the sentence, as it indicates who owes the speaker money. Without it, the sentence would be too ambiguous.
Nonessential clauses do not contain essential information; therefore, removing the extra information will not change the sentence’s meaning. Nonessential clauses are much more common than essential clauses.
We are leaving for our vacation this Saturday, which is my birthday.
The phrase “which is my birthday” is not essential to the sentence. Removing it would not alter the sentence’s meaning; therefore, it is nonessential.
Appositives and commas
When a sentence includes a nonessential appositive, the clause should be set off between commas when located in the middle of a sentence. If the appositive is at the end of a sentence, a comma should precede it. If it is at the beginning of a sentence, it should be followed by a comma.
My grandmother, who is 90 years old, had a dinner party for her birthday.
My grandmother had a dinner party, which was at her house.
Last Saturday, my grandmother hosted a dinner party.
Nonessential appositives may sometimes also be set off with em dashes, parentheses, or a colon.
How to use an appositive
When using an appositive, the following guidelines apply:
Essential vs. nonessential: Determine if the appositive noun phrase is essential or nonessential within the context of the sentence. To classify the phrase as one or the other, remove it from the sentence. If the meaning of the sentence does not change, then the phrase is nonessential; if the sentence becomes vague or fragmented, the phrase is essential.
Placement: The location of the noun determines the placement of an appositive. Place the appositive after the noun it redefines, renames, or modifies.
Punctuation: Punctuation is unnecessary when using a restrictive phrase, whereas a nonrestrictive appositive clause should be between commas.
Appositive phrase examples
The following sentences incorporate nonessential appositives:
Our new puppy, a beagle, came home today.
Their next-door neighbor, who is never home, has an inground pool.
The tree, which is losing its leaves, has been in the yard since we moved here.
The following sentences incorporate essential appositives:
My brother Michael will be home for the entire summer.
We were going to ask John’s friend Stan to come with us this weekend.
The quarterback Tom Brady is considered the best in the NFL.