WRITING LESSON: Expanding by Adding Appositive Phrases to a Sentence Base

S -app - V -

S - V - DO - app

DEFINITION

An appositive, which usually follows a noun or pronoun, consists of a noun or nouns that add new information about the noun or pronoun it follows. An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and all its modifiers. An appositive must either follow a dash or a comma, or be enclosed in parentheses.

For example, if this was our sentence base -- "Lily loves the beach" -- we could expand it by adding an appositive phrase: "Lily loves the beach -- that place where sand, sunlight, and surf magically come together."

The appositive phrase (in italics) adds new information about the noun "beach", and makes the sentence more interesting and elegant.

The pattern here is S - V - DO - app.

You can add appositive phrases wherever you have a noun. Simply put a comma or dash after the noun, and stick in an appositive phrase (a noun and some modifiers) that adds new information about the noun or pronoun.

Here's another example:

"The basic writing skills -- good vocabulary, knowledge of grammar, and a sense of style -- can be learned by anyone."

Notice that the appositive was placed directly after the subject, to make this pattern: S - app - V

PRACTICE: Expand these sentences by adding appositive phrases :

* Asia enjoys being naturally cool.

* All the girls like to hang around handsome Morgan.

* Mr. Salsich looked silly when he tried to sing a rap song.