Appositives

WHAT IS IT? An appositive is a word that follows a noun and helps identify it or adds more information about it. An appositive is a word that follows a noun and helps identify it or adds more information about it. An appositive names the same person place thing or idea as the noun it explains. An appositive names the same person place thing or idea as the noun it explains.

For Example: Sara, a member of a large family, has several cousins in the teaching profession. Sara, a member of a large family, has several cousins in the teaching profession. Who is the subject of the sentence? Sara What additional information are we given about Sara?

Restrictive Appositives An appositive is restrictive when it is necessary for understanding the subject. An appositive is restrictive when it is necessary for understanding the subject. Example: Example: The famous musician Louis Armstrong was the leader of the Hot Fives, a jazz band. The famous musician Louis Armstrong was the leader of the Hot Fives, a jazz band.

Nonrestrictive Appositives Nonrestrictive appositives are set off by comma (s). Nonrestrictive appositives are set off by comma (s). Nonrestrictive appositives are used to give additional information, but are not necessary in the understanding of the subject. Nonrestrictive appositives are used to give additional information, but are not necessary in the understanding of the subject. For Example: The famous musician Louis Armstrong was the leader of the Hot Fives, a jazz band For Example: The famous musician Louis Armstrong was the leader of the Hot Fives, a jazz band

Jazz, an American invention, is a popular type of music today

One important quality of jazz is improvisation, the creation of new music on the spot.

Often jazz is performed by a combo, a small group of musicians. Often jazz is performed by a combo, a small group of musicians.