Appositives
An appositive is a noun or noun phrase placed next to another noun to rename, identify, or describe it. Appositives are a hallmark of sophisticated, information-dense writing.
What is an appositive?
An appositive is a noun phrase that immediately follows another noun and provides additional information about it. Both noun phrases refer to the same person, place, or thing.
My neighbour, a retired surgeon, grows roses.
The city of Vienna is famous for its music.
We spoke to Dr Chen, the lead researcher.
Non-restrictive appositives (with commas)
A non-restrictive appositive adds extra information that is not essential to identify the noun. It is set off with commas — or dashes for added emphasis.
London, the capital of England, has a population of nine million.
Her first novel — a sweeping family saga — won the Booker Prize.
Restrictive appositives (no commas)
A restrictive appositive is essential to identify the noun — removing it would change or lose the meaning. No commas are used.
The poet Emily Dickinson rarely left her home.
My brother Jack is a chef. (I have more than one brother)
| Restrictive | Non-restrictive | |
|---|---|---|
| Commas | No | Yes (or dashes) |
| Essential? | Yes | No |
| Can remove? | Changes meaning | Sentence still complete |
| Example | The painter Vermeer… | Vermeer, a Dutch master,… |
Test: Try removing the appositive. If the sentence still clearly refers to the right person or thing, it is non-restrictive — use commas. If removing it creates ambiguity, it is restrictive — no commas.