Appositive phrases are a type of phrases that provide more information in the sentence.Â
In this article, you will learn what appositive phrases are, how to use them, and provide your examples to better understand their use and importance in the English language.
An appositive phrase is a group of words that provides more information in the sentence about a noun or pronoun. Appositive phrases are usually placed next to the noun they modify or describe and these phrases make sentences more informative.
Examples:
- Leonardo Da Vinci, a talented artist, painted the Mona Lisa.
- My friend Sarah loves to cook.
- The Eiffel tower, a famous landmark in Paris, attracts millions of visitors each year.
How to Identify Appositive Phrases in Sentences
To identify appositive phrase in a sentence, look for the following points:
- Find the noun
First of all, identify the noun or pronoun in the sentence.
- Look for extra information
Second, check if there is a phrase next to the noun that provides more detail about the noun.
- Check the relationship
lastly, make sure that the extra information renames or describe the noun.
For example;
- Albert Einstein, a genius in physics, developed the theory of relativity.
Let’s break this sentence to identify an appositive phrase.Â
- Noun = Albert Einstein
- Extra information = a genius in physics
- Relationship = The phrase describes Albert Einstein