An appositive phrase is a noun phrase inserted into a sentence that gives extra meaning or identifying information about the nouns in the sentence. “My school, Brooklyn Tech, is in Fort Greene.” “When I get home I play League of Legends, my favorite game.” “This summer I read The Hunger Games, a book about a violent dystopian future.” “Sometimes my dad, a quiet and unassuming man, makes weird jokes.”

Add an appositive phrase to each: Yesterday my best friend threw snowballs at my head. We went to Rockaway Beach on Wednesday. The musicians yelled at the crowd and refused to play.

Participles are verb forms ending in –ing or –ed that can serve as adjectives. “My favorite food is fried fish.” (verb: to fry) “The running boy left us all behind.” (to run) “His story was chilling and disturbing.” (to chill, to disturb) “They are too obsessed with Hotline Bling and never get any work done.” (to obsess)

A participial phrase contains a participle and is also inserted into a sentence to add information about a noun in that sentence. “Whistling a tune, Janie skipped down Penny Lane.” “We all saw him sitting there alone, dejected and depressed.” “Thinking that the test was on Tuesday, Alan had not studied over the weekend.”

Add a participial phrase: Jack did not know what day it was. Beth showed everyone else that she was the best employee. Beyonce dazzled the audience.