Mastering Appositive Phrases

Mastering Appositive Phrases

An appositive phrase is a noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. It can be essential (restrictive) or nonessential (nonrestrictive). Nonessential appositive phrases are set off by commas. Complete the following exercises to demonstrate your understanding of appositive phrases.

Identify the appositive phrase in each sentence:

1. My brother, a talented musician, is performing tonight.

2. The famous author, J.K. Rowling, wrote the Harry Potter series.

Complete each sentence by adding an appropriate nonessential appositive phrase, remembering to use commas.

3. My best friend,  , always knows how to make me laugh.

4. The Eiffel Tower,  , is a famous landmark in Paris.

5. The dog,  , barked loudly at the mailman.

6. Combine the following two sentences into one sentence using an appositive phrase:

Sentence A: Dr. Evans is our science teacher. Sentence B: He has a Ph.D. in astrophysics.

7. Write two original sentences that each contain a nonessential appositive phrase. Underline the appositive phrase in each sentence.

Determine if the following statements are true or false.

8. An appositive phrase always begins with a verb.

9. Nonessential appositive phrases are set off by commas.

10. Read the following paragraph. Identify and circle all appositive phrases. Then, rewrite the paragraph, adding at least two new appositive phrases to enhance the descriptions.

The old house stood on a hill. Its windows, dark eyes, stared out over the valley. A lone oak tree, a sentinel, guarded the front yard. The wind, a constant companion, whispered through the branches. Many people avoided the house, a place of local legend.