Appositive Phrase in English
Appositive Phrase: Definition, Types and Examples
Appositives or appositive phrases play a crucial role in English sentences. Therefore, it is essential for you to know what appositive phrases are, how many types they have and how they are used in sentences. In this article, we've discussed appositive phrase definition, types, rules and examples with clear explanation.
What is an Appositive Phrase?
An appositive or appositive phrase is a noun or noun phrase (a noun phrase contains a noun and its modifiers such as my sister) that gives more information about the noun or noun phrase used before it. An appositive is also called a noun or noun phrase in apposition (noun in apposition, appositive and appositive phrase are all same.
From the definition, we knew that:
1. Apposition is a grammatical structure in English.
2. An appositive or appositive phrase is a noun or noun phrase.
3. There will be two nouns or noun phrases.
4. The second will give more information about the first one.
5. An appositive is also known as noun in apposition.
Examples:
(a) My brother, John, wants to talk to you.
(b) Fowler, our teacher, was not present in the meeting.
(c) My sister Sofia is here.
In example (a), the proper noun John clarifies the common noun phrase, my brother. Therefore, the grammatical function of John here is appositive role or noun in apposition that gives more information about my brother by answering what my brother’s name is. In this example, a noun is in apposition to a noun phrase.
In example (b), our teacher is an appositive phrase that does the same thing as John: providing more information about Fowler by answering who Fowler is. In this example, a noun phrase is in apposition to a noun.
In example (c), Sofia is noun in apposition that clarifies my sister by answering what my sister’s name is. In this example, a noun is in apposition to a noun phrase.
If you look at the examples given above with meticulous attention, you’ll notice the below-given two points.
1. John and our teacher are surrounded by commas.
2. Sofia is not surrounded by commas.
This difference is because of restrictive and non-restrictive information given by the appositive phrase. Therefore, we discuss what restrictive and non-restrictive are in the types of appositive phrases below.
Types of Appositive Phrases
Based on the information given by an appositive phrase, an appositive phrase has the following two types.
1. Restrictive appositive
2. Non-restrictive appositive
A restrictive appositive phrase gives essential information about the noun or noun phrase mentioned before it. An appositive phrase is restrictive when the meaning of the sentence changes on its omission or removal.
Look at the below-given example in which the appositive phrase is restrictive.
Example: My friend John likes chocolate very much.
In the example, the noun John is a restrictive appositive, because by using the name John, I’m restricting and confining my sentence to one of many friends of mine whose name is John. So the use of the name John here says that I’m not talking of other friends of mine; I’m talking about John only.
A non-restrictive appositive phrase, on the other hand, is an appositive phrase that gives non-essential information about the noun or noun phrase mentioned before it. An appositive phrase is non-restrictive when the meaning of the sentence does not change on its omission or removal.
Look at the example below carefully in which the appositive is a non-restrictive appositive.
Example: John, my friend, is an army officer.
In above-mentioned example, my friend is a non-restrictive appositive phrase, because it does not restrict or confine my sentence. By using my friend, I’m just giving additional information or non-essential information that John is my friend. The use of my friend is not essential to recognize who John is because we know the name.
Restrictive Vs Non-restrictive Appositives
1. Both restrictive and non-restrictive appositives give more information about a noun or noun phrase.
2. A restrictive appositive gives essential information, while a non-restrictive appositive gives additional information.
3. On the removal of a restrictive appositive, the meaning of the sentence changes, while on the removal of a non-restrictive appositive, the meaning doesn’t change.
4. A restrictive appositive is not separated by commas, while a non-restrictive appositive is separated by commas.
How to Use Appositive Phrases?
To use appositive phrases in English, follow the below-given steps.
1. Make sure that you want to give more information about a noun or noun phrase.
2. Use a noun or noun phrase to clarify the already mentioned noun or noun phrase.
3. See if the information is essential or non-essential.
4. Don’t separate the appositive phrase with commas if it gives essential information.
5. Separate the appositive phrase with commas in case it gives non-essential information.
FAQs – Appositive Phrase Definition and Examples
What is an appositive?
An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that gives more information about the noun or noun phrase already used before it.
What is the best definition of an appositive?
The best definition of an appositive is that an appositive phrase is a noun such as John or noun phrase such as my sister which gives either essential information or non-essential information about the noun or noun phrase mentioned before it.
Appositive phrases examples
why do writers use appositives and appositive phrases in their writing?
Writers use appositives and appositive phrases in their writing for the purpose of clarification and enhancement.
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