Appositives and Appositive Phrases An appositive is a

Appositives and Appositive Phrases

An appositive is a noun or pronoun that further identifies another noun or pronoun. For example: My music teacher, Mr. Price, studied with Michael Brecker. My friend Roberto is the treasurer of the Drama Club. The band Rezurrection will perform tonight.

An appositive phrase is an appositive plus any words that modify the appositive. For example: My music teacher studied with Michael Brecker, the famous jazz saxophonist. Roberto is the treasurer of the Drama Club, a group of 9 th and 10 th grade students. The band Rezurrection will perform tonight, their only gig this month.

Identify the appositive or appositive phrase. My cousin Tim came to watch me in the play. Cairo, the capital of Egypt, has a hot, dry climate. The teacher assigned a final project, a term paper. Moussake, a Greek dish, is my favorite food.

Some appositives are essential to the meaning of the sentence. For example: His sister Lorena has brown hair and blue eyes. (we must have the name Lorena to know which sister is being described)

Some appositives are nonessential to the meaning of the sentence, and they must be set off with a pair of commas. For example: They crossed the English Channel, the body of water between England France, on Friday. (the sentence’s meaning is perfectly clear without the appositive phrase)

Decide if the appositive or appositive phrase is essential or nonessential. Mr. Okuna our anthropology professor will speak at Thursday’s banquet. The song “Hey Jude” was performed by the choir. The head coach Mr. Jameson will retire next year.

Appositives and appositive phrases are a good way to combine ideas so your sentences are less choppy. On your paper, combine each pair of ideas into one sentence which has an appositive or appositive phrase. 1. Samuel de Champlain was the founder of Quebec. He was a French explorer. 2. Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala is a Latin American country. 3. I was in a play. The play’s title is “Wait Until Dark. ”

Trade papers with your partner. Examine the sentences your partner wrote. Underline the appositive or appositive phrase. Make sure it is properly set off with commas if it is a nonessential appositive or appositive phrase. Return your partner’s paper and check to see if you agree with your partner’s identification of your appositives and appositive phrases. Once you both agree, stand up and shake one another’s hand.

Prove how well you get it! Pick up one of the Appositive and Appositive Phrase Assessment handouts on the black counter and complete it. Your Appositive Assessment is due Friday, March 4.