DEFINITIONS
- a noun or noun phrase that renames (describes) another noun right beside it. The appositive can be a short or long combination of words.
Examples:
The insect, a cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table.
The insect, a large cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table.
The insect, a large cockroach with hairy legs, is crawling across the kitchen table.
Punctuation Rules
Rule: When an appositive is essential to the meaning of the noun it belongs to, don’t use commas. When the noun preceding the appositive preceding the appositive provides sufficient identification on its own, use commas around the appositive.
- Example without commas:
in-class practice
homework
Directions: Set off the appositives by adding a comma or commas in the following sentences.
1. A huge fan of the Beatles Bob owns all of their albums
2. Otto the Hungarian alligator wrestler has a hairy back
3. Kiandra loves to eat her favorite snack apple slices
4. Madge the cutest cat in the entire world can speak a foreign language
5. Kandace has the coolest English teacher the one and only Mrs. Demos.
6. Corey made the sandwich peanut butter and jelly with sardines and mayonnaise for Mrs. Green.
7. Martha gave me a great birthday gift fingernail clippers
8. An avid reader Peter finished the book in three hours.
9. Manny’s favorite sport lacrosse was invented by Native Americans
10. “Demeter and Persephone” an explanatory myth tells why the seasons change.
Directions: Write three sentences using appositive phrases. Be sure to punctuate the sentences correctly.
1.
2.
3.
1. A huge fan of the Beatles Bob owns all of their albums
2. Otto the Hungarian alligator wrestler has a hairy back
3. Kiandra loves to eat her favorite snack apple slices
4. Madge the cutest cat in the entire world can speak a foreign language
5. Kandace has the coolest English teacher the one and only Mrs. Demos.
6. Corey made the sandwich peanut butter and jelly with sardines and mayonnaise for Mrs. Green.
7. Martha gave me a great birthday gift fingernail clippers
8. An avid reader Peter finished the book in three hours.
9. Manny’s favorite sport lacrosse was invented by Native Americans
10. “Demeter and Persephone” an explanatory myth tells why the seasons change.
Directions: Write three sentences using appositive phrases. Be sure to punctuate the sentences correctly.
1.
2.
3.