This document defines and provides examples of appositives and appositive phrases. It explains that an appositive is a noun or pronoun that identifies or provides information about another word, usually coming directly after it. An appositive phrase includes an appositive and any modifiers. The document distinguishes between essential appositives, which are not set off by commas and are needed for sentence meaning, and nonessential appositives, which are set off by commas and not needed for sentence meaning.

1. Appositive & Appositive
Phrases
Today is really a comma lesson, so
get ready…

2. Appositive
• An appositive is a noun or pronoun that
usually comes directly after another word in
a sentence to identify or provide further
information about that word.
– The teacher Mrs.Vogt loves to teach grammar.
– Mrs. Vogt, a Harry Potter addict, reads lots of
books.

3. Appositive Phrase
• An appositive phrase is made up of an
appositive and all of its modifiers. The
modifiers may be single words, phrases, or
clauses.
– Harry Potter, an only child, fought He-Who-
Must-Not-Be-Named.
– The uncle of a famous wizard, Vernon hated
magic.
– The character Hermione studied all the time.

4. Essential Appositive
• An essential appositive must be in the
sentence for the sentence meaning to be clear.
– It is not set off with commas!
– The guidance counselor Mrs. Zipprich is very
knowledgeable about colleges and the ACT.

5. Nonessential Appositive
• A nonessential appositive is one that is not
needed to make the meaning of a sentence
clear. If it were omitted from the sentence, the
basic meaning of the sentence would still be
clear.
– Commas are required!
– The guidance counselor for seniors and juniors,
Mrs. Zipprich, knows a lot about the ACT and
college.