Appositives and Appositive Phrases Ms. Marshall-Krauss 8th Grade English HCMS

Appositive a noun that is placed NEXT to another noun to identify it or add information about it. Example: Chuck’s friend, John, picks his nose.

Appositive Phrase A group of words that includes an appositive and other words that modify the appositive. Example: John, the gross kid in school, picks his nose everyday. The words gross and in school modify the appositive kid. The phrase the gross kid in school is an appositive phrase. It identifies the noun John.

Commas and Appositive Phrases Commas are needed if the information the appositive adds is NOT needed. Example: John’s father, Mr. Choose, wishes he would stop. Commas are needed if the information the appositive adds is a phrase. Example: Mr. Choose, John’s caring father, wishes he would stop.

Commas Continued Commas are not needed when the information is needed. Or, often, not comma is needed if it is a short name. Example: John’s friend Chuck thinks his habit is gross. John has lots of friends so it's NEEDED in this sentence to identify which one.