Legal Writing

Restrictive Appositives

By Maeve Maddox

Bob asks:

Could you please explain restrictive appositives (Like, Have you read the novel
a Separate Peace). Where you don’t use commas. I find it a bit confusing.

Nouns are said to be “in apposition” when a noun or noun phrase is used to identify, define, or tell more about a preceding noun.

When the appositive noun (the second one) is essential to the meaning of the sentence, it is said to be “restrictive.” In that case, no comma is used:

Have you read the novel A Separate Peace?

“A Separate Peace” specifies which novel is meant. It is necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

When the appositive noun provides additional information that can be omitted without altering the sentence’s main thought, it is said to be “nonrestrictive.”

George Clooney, the actor, is a social activist.

“The actor” is additional information. A comma is used to separate it from the main thought.

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Full post as published by Daily Writing Tips on August 18, 2010 (boomark / email).