Appositives and Appositive Phrases - Classes

in the United States in 1868 helped with laying the track.
[4] The terrain was difficult to cover, but the laborers
rose to the challenge. [5] Known for their dependability,
the Chinese were strong workers. [6] Complaining was
a problem with some workers, but seldom with Chinese
laborers. [7] It was often necessary to blow up parts of
mountains, and the Chinese workers became experts at
this task. [8] Chinese and Irish workers set a record on
April 28, 1869, by spiking ten miles and fifty-six feet of
track in twelve.hours. [9] The railroad company divided
the Chinese immigrants into working groups, or gangs,
each with twelve to twenty men. [10] Keeping many of
their traditional ways, Chinese workers ate food that was
shipped to them from San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Appositives and Appositive
Phrases
3l. An appositive is a noun or a pronoun placed beside another
noun or pronoun to identify or describe it.
EXAMPLES The sculptor Isamu Noguchi has designed sculpture
gardens. [The appositive Isamu Noguchi identifies the
noun sculptor.]
Eric, a talented musician, plans to study in Europe. [The
appositive musician describes the noun Eric.]
Those, the ones on the right, are on sale. [The appositive
ones identifies the pronoun Those.]
3m. An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and any
modifiers it has.
EXAMPLES Lucy Sánchez, my longtime friend from my old neighborhood,
has a new Scottish terrier.
Dr. Jackson has a degree in entomology, the scientific
study of insects.
NOTE Sometimes, an appositive phrase precedes the noun or pronoun
to which it refers.
EXAMPLE The terror of our block, little Anthony was on the warpath.
Identify and use appositives
and appositive
phrases correctly.
Appositives and Appositive Phrases 135
3
l, m
GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR
Reference Note
For more about essential
and nonessential
phrases, see page 322.
HELP
A sentence
in Exercise 12
may contain more
than one appositive
or appositive phrase.
136 Chapter 3 The Phrase
Appositives and appositive phrases that are not essential to the
meaning of the sentence are set off by commas. If the appositive is
essential to the meaning, it is generally not set off by commas.
EXAMPLES My teacher, Mr. Byrd, trains parrots. [The writer has only
one teacher. The appositive is not necessary to identify the
teacher. Because the information is nonessential, it is set off
by commas.]
My teacher Mr. Byrd trains parrots. [The writer has more
than one teacher. The appositive is necessary to tell which
teacher is meant. Because this information is essential to
the meaning of the sentence, it is not set off by commas.]
NOTE
Commas are generally used with appositives that refer to
proper nouns.
EXAMPLE Linda, the editor, assigned the story.
However, a word or phrase that is commonly accepted as part of
a person’s name or title is not set off by a comma.
EXAMPLE The Roman Army defeated Attila the Hun in A.D. 451.
Exercise 12
Identifying Appositive Phrases
Identify the appositive phrases in the following sentences. Then,
give the noun or pronoun that each appositive phrase identifies or
describes.
EXAMPLE 1. I usually write haiku, poems in a traditional Japanese
form.
1. poems in a traditional Japanese form—haiku
1. Our community has a new organization, a writers’ club called
Writers, Inc.
2. Marquita Wiley,a college.instructor, started the group at the
request of former students.
3. A published author, she conducts the meetings as workshops.
4. The writers meet to read their works in progress, fiction or poetry,
and to discuss suggestions for improvement.
5. The members, people from all walks of life, have varied interests.
6. A mechanic.by trade,J.D..Ellis writes funny poems about his
hobby,bird-watching.
7. My friend Lusita just had a short story about her people, the Zuni,
published in a national magazine.

8. Next week, we’ll meet at our regular time, 3:30.P.M.
9. Our guest speaker is Pat Mora,a Mexican American poet whose
work emphasizes harmony between cultures.
10. Have you read her poem “Bribe”?
Review H Identifying Verbal Phrases and Appositive
Phrases
Find the verbal phrases and appositive phrases in the following sentences.
Identify each phrase as a participial phrase, a gerund phrase, an
infinitive phrase, or an appositive phrase.
EXAMPLE 1. Automobiles have been partly responsible for drastically
changing life in the twentieth century.
1. drastically changing life in the twentieth century—
gerund phrase
1. Developing the automobile was actually the creative work of many
people, but Henry Ford deservedly receives much credit.
2. Ford’s company, using an assembly line and interchangeable parts,
first produced the Model T in 1909.
3. Many people in the early 1900s wanted to buy cars because.of.their
low prices and novelty.
4. By giving people an alternative to mass transit,
automobiles did much to change the social and
business scene of.the United States.
5. No longer dependent on streetcars and trains,
the first motorists used automobiles for going
on recreational and family trips.
6. Clearly overjoyed with their vehicles, many
Americans regarded automobiles as necessities
by the 1920s.
7. One writer, a famous historian, noted that
the automobile industry led to such new
businesses as gas stations, repair garages, tire
companies, and motels.
8. To get a clear idea of.changes in automobile designs over the years,
look at the picture to the right.
9. The photo shows Henry Ford, looking contented and proud, in
his first car.
10. What are some of the main differences between Ford’s car, one of
the most advanced vehicles of its day, and modern cars?
HELP
A sentence in
Review H may
contain more than one
verbal or appositive phrase.
Appositives and Appositive Phrases 137
GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR
HELP
Although several
possible answers are
given in the example in
Review I, you need to
write only one sentence
for each item.
138 Chapter 3 The Phrase
Review I
Writing Appropriate Phrases
Rewrite each of the following sentences, supplying an appropriate
prepositional, verbal, or appositive phrase to fill in the blank. Use each
type of phrase at least twice. Identify each phrase you use as prepositional,
participial, infinitive, gerund, or appositive.
EXAMPLE 1. We have room for only a single passenger .
1. We have room for only a single passenger weighing less
than one-hundred fifty pounds. — participial
or
We have room for only a single passenger in the boat.
— prepositional
or
We have room for only a single passenger, a small one!
— appositive
or
We have room for only a single passenger to come
aboard. — infinitive
1. Only one was left on the plate.
2. Joyfully, she danced .
3. Richard, , is moving back to the town!
4. During the whole trip to Mexico, her goal was .
5. , the new computer still sat in boxes on the floor.
6. At the bottom of the river, a huge old catfish lay .
7. made them strong enough for the race.
8. Navajo dancers stepped lightly into the open circle.
9. became their goal for the rest of the year.
10. All the clothes had been made in the United States.
11. The lace curtains were not for sale.
12. Are these puppies all yours?
13. What a marvelous aroma is rising !
14. , the engine finally started.
15. With a glance at the other runners , Gretchen pulled ahead.
16. Bill Briggs, , greeted the enthusiastic fans.
17. Everyone should move down one seat.
18. was the thought of each student in the class.
19. The children made mud pies.
20. gave them the endurance they needed.