Appositives Examples

Remember that nouns are words that name a person, a place, a thing, or an idea.

Nouns can function as appositives. An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun that comes right before it.

When the appositive is nonessential, you set it off with commas. Nonessential means that you don't need the appositive to completely understand the sentence.

When the appositive is essential, you do not use commas.

Examples of appositives with explanation:

My teacher Mrs. Jones is very nice.

Mrs. Jones renames teacher.

The book Black Beauty is about a horse.

Black Beauty renames book.

Karen, the girl sitting behind me in class, is wearing a green shirt.

The girl sitting behind me in class renames Karen.

Examples of an essential and a nonessential appositive with explanation:

The book Black Beauty is about a horse.

This appositive is essential-you need it to understand the sentence.

Karen, the girl sitting behind me in class, is wearing a green shirt.

This appositive is nonessential-you don't need it to understand the sentence.

More examples of appositives (underlined in each sentence) are below.

1) My mom, a nurse at the hospital, has to work late sometimes.

2) The red shirt, a gift from grandma, has a heart on the front.

3) My friend Lisa is an excellent dancer.

4) Did you leave your bag, a pink purse, on the bus?

5) My pet lizard Spike likes to eat flies.

6) The cake, a chocolate puppy, is for Russ' first birthday.

7) The jeans, my favorite pair, need to be washed.