q_sharon
02/13/08, 07:54 PM
An appositive is a noun placed next to another noun to explain or identify it. It is considered as a nonessential information and is set off by commas.
1. We boarded the plane, a 747, for the trip to Saipan.
2. My two dogs, Dora and CK, are both hirsute.
When the appositive adds essential information or is needed to identify the noun, the commas are omitted.
1. The figure 8 is difficult to execute for a beginning skater.
2. My friend Claire owns a talking mynah.
1. We boarded the plane, a 747, for the trip to Saipan.
2. My two dogs, Dora and CK, are both hirsute.
When the appositive adds essential information or is needed to identify the noun, the commas are omitted.
1. The figure 8 is difficult to execute for a beginning skater.
2. My friend Claire owns a talking mynah.