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Appositives. How can you stay positive when dealing with appositives ?. What is an appositive?. Appositives rename noun phrases and are usually placed beside what they rename or explain. Ex.) Dr. Ison, our principal , explained the rules for prom.
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Appositives How can you stay positive when dealing with appositives?
What is an appositive? • Appositives rename noun phrases and are usually placed beside what they rename or explain. • Ex.) Dr. Ison, our principal, explained the rules for prom. • We met at our favorite restaurant, Burger Bistro.
How do you spot them? • Ask yourself whether or not it restates or gives more information about a noun phrase. • Is “Dr. Ison” another name for “our principal?” • Yes, therefore it is an appositive. • Is “Burger Bistro” another name for “our favorite restaurant”? • Yes, therefore it is an appositive.
How do we punctuate appositives? • If the information in the appositive is essential to the meaning of the sentence, do not place commas around the appositive; just leave it alone. • If the sentence is clear and complete without the appositive, then commas are necessary. Source- OWL at Purdue
Comma or No Comma? • The popular US president John Kennedy was known for his eloquent and inspirational speeches. • No comma because the specific president’s name is essential to the sentence in order for it to make sense. Therefore, no comma is needed.
Comma or No Comma cont… • John Kennedy the popular US president was known for his eloquent and inspirational speeches. • Yes, we need a comma because this is additional information (“the popular US president) that is not necessary to understand the sentence.
Now for some practice… Choose the appositive phrase in the following sentences and indicate whether or not a comma is necessary. • Adelle our neighbor mowed our lawn for us when we went on vacation. • The popular playwright William Shakespeare grew up in Stratford Upon Avon. • My teacher the one with the long skirt graduated from Miami University.
Answer Key • Adelle, our neighbor, mowed the lawn for us while we were on vacation. • The popular playwright William Shakespeare grew up in Stratford Upon Avon. • My teacher, the one with the long skirt, graduated from Miami University.