what is an appositive phrase

An appositive phrase is a noun or noun phrase that renames or gives extra information about another noun right next to it. For example, in “My cat, an adorable silver tabby , sleeps all day,” the phrase an adorable silver tabby is the appositive phrase because it describes the cat.

Quick Scoop

• Purpose: It adds clarity or detail about a noun.

• Placement: It usually appears beside the noun it explains.

• Punctuation: If it is extra, nonessential information, it is often set off with commas.

Easy Example

• Sara, the class captain, led the meeting.
  Here, the class captain is the appositive phrase because it renames Sara.

Simple Rule

If you can remove the phrase and the sentence still makes sense, it is probably nonessential appositive information and usually needs commas.

Bottom Line

An appositive phrase is basically a “rename-and-explain” phrase for a noun.