Appositive Phrase

The appositive phrase, a particular kind of noun phrase, is a useful grammatical tool.

Sitting between the two commas in that sentence is an example of an appositive phrase! This type of phrase may seem like an abstract concept of grammar, but it plays a large role in everyday communication. When you learn to use them effectively, appositive phrases can be "a positive" addition to your writing.

Appositive Phrase Definition

So, what is an appositive phrase, exactly? Here's the full definition to start:

In other words, an appositive phrase adds extra information to the noun phrase right before or after it. This information can define, specify, and describe the noun phrase.

What's a Noun Phrase, Again?

The definition states that an appositive phrase is a noun phrase modifying another noun phrase. To understand this definition, you have to know for sure what a noun phrase is! Here's a refresher on the noun phrase.

Fig. 1 - The phrase structure of the noun phrase "my friend."

A noun phrase can contain different elements, but it always centers on the noun. In other words, the noun is in the spotlight of the noun phrase.

To take the definition one step further, an appositive phrase and the noun phrase it modifies are parts of a larger noun phrase! You can see this in the phrase structure tree below.

Fig. 2 - The phrase structure of the appositive phrase "my friend the athlete."

As you can see, the noun phrase and appositive phrase are two separate phrases, but they're both parts of a larger noun phrase. The appositive phrase acts as the modifier for the other noun phrase!

Appositive Phrases Uses

Appositive phrases are useful for speaking and writing descriptively. An appositive phrase adds descriptive information to another noun phrase. There are three major uses for appositive phrases:

• Appositive phrases can add bonus information to a noun phrase, without distracting from the rest of the sentence.
• Appositive phrases can help to define a noun phrase.
• Appositive phrases can combine simple sentences and help writing flow naturally.

One appositive phrase can perform more than one of these functions at a time! You'll see specific examples of each of these uses later. For now, keep these functions of appositives in mind. You'll start noticing appositives everywhere!

Types of Appositive Phrases

Appositive phrases fall into two categories: essential and nonessential. Here's a breakdown of both categories.

Essential Appositive Phrase

An essential appositive phrase is exactly what it sounds like. Here's the definition:

This means that an essential appositive phrase helps to define the noun phrase it modifies. Without it, the noun phrase would be non-specific. It's also called a restrictive appositive phrase because it restricts what the noun phrase could reference. This example demonstrates an essential appositive in more detail:

This is the essence of an essential appositive phrase: it has to be there in order to specify the noun phrase it modifies.

Nonessential Appositive Phrase

After that explanation of essential appositive phrases, you can probably guess what a nonessential appositive phrase does.

Nonessential information is information that doesn't rename or restrict the noun phrase it modifies. It just adds a little bonus description. The nonessential appositive phrase can even be removed from the sentence, and the meaning of the sentence won't change.

Unlike essential appositives, nonessential appositive phrases are offset by punctuation. The punctuation marks that signal these appositives include:

• Commas (,)
• Parentheses ( )
• Em-dashes (—)

These punctuation marks make it easy to tell nonessential appositives from essential appositives.

Here's an example of a nonessential appositive:

When you look at an appositive, ask yourself these questions:

• Can the appositive be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence?
• Is the appositive offset by punctuation marks?

If the answer is yes to both of these questions, the appositive is nonessential. Otherwise, the appositive is essential.

Appositive Phrases Examples

Now for a closer look into specific examples of appositive phrases. Remember the three major uses of appositive phrases discussed earlier? These examples explore the major uses in more detail. Don't forget that each of these appositives performs more than one of the major functions, even though the examples focus on one function at a time.

Adding Bonus Information

This example focuses on the first use: adding bonus information to a noun phrase, without distracting from the rest of the sentence.

This first function—adding bonus information without distracting from the rest of the sentence—is always performed by a nonessential appositive phrase, rather than an essential appositive phrase.

Defining a Noun Phrase

Another function of appositive phrases is to help to define a noun phrase. Here's an example:

This function of defining a noun phrase is performed by an essential appositive phrase, rather than a nonessential appositive phrase.

Combining Simple Sentences

What about the third function of appositive phrases? Appositive phrases can combine smaller sentences that would otherwise stand alone. This can help the sentences to flow more naturally. Take a look at the rewritten examples below, and you'll see the difference:

Appositive Phrase Identification

Now you know the ins and outs of appositive phrases, but how can you identify an appositive phrase in the wild? When you're reading a text, and you see a phrase that might be an appositive phrase, ask yourself these questions:

• Is this phrase a noun phrase immediately before or after another noun phrase?
• Does the phrase modify the noun phrase next to it?
• Does the phrase add information that either specifies the noun phrase or provides it with an extra description?

If the answer is yes to every question, you're probably looking at an appositive phrase! Try this out in this example:

And there you have it: the features, rules, and functions of the appositive phrase! Keep an eye out for appositive phrases the next time you read an essay or story, and pay attention to the purposes they serve in the text.