Grammar rule video: ”Appositives-Restrictive and Non-restrictive Phrases”

My partner for the grammar video project is Alexandra https://myriverside.sd43.bc.ca/alexandraz2019/. We were assigned the topic of Appositives: Restrictive and Non-Restrictive. This assignment allowed me to dig deeper into this grammar rule and helped me have a clearer understanding of  Appositives. I learned about how and when they are used, and the importance they make in writing. I was surprised about how often Appositive are incorporated into my writing and how crucial of a skill they are to provide more information and detail to the readers.  Our video includes visuals, examples and a lesson plan to help readers learn about Appositives in an educational and engaging way.

Grammer rule paragraph:

An appositive phrase consists of a noun or a whole phrase that helps redefine the noun beside it. Appositives are used to give more description to a specific thing and help the reader have a better understanding of the context. Appositives can be found in the middle, front or end of a sentence depending on the structure of the sentence and can be separated with commas.

Examples:

1. My friend Daniel is coming to my house this weekend.

Explanation: ”Daniel” is the appositive in this phrase because it is redefining the noun  ‘’friend’’ with more information.

2. My dog, a chocolate Labrador, gets excited when I take him for walks.

Explanation: ‘’a chocolate Labrador’’ is the appositive because it is describing the noun ”dog” and supplying further detail about the animal.

3. Alexandra and I saw sea turtles, relaxing by the shore, in Mexico.

Explanation: ‘’relaxing by the shore’’ is the appositive because it is helping describe the  noun ‘’sea turtles’’ with an adjective.

Restrictive Appositives:

Restrictive appositives are necessary for the appositive phrase; without them the sentence would not be complete and give the reader enough information. Restrictive appositives narrow down the noun it’s redefining and do not have commas around it.

Non – Restrictive Appositives:

Non-Restrictive appositives are not necessary for the appositive phrase and are used to add extra detail and information. You could still understand the sentence without non-restrictive appositives, and they have commas surrounding them on both sides.

Examples:

1. A) Samantha’s final volleyball game was played against a tough opponent, a former national champion.

Explanation: ‘’a former national champion’’ is a non-restrictive appositive phrase because without it you can still understand that the opponent is tough and hard to beat. It provides extra non-essential information to the phrase. It also has commas surrounding it.

1. B) Our team’s final volleyball match is being played in Calgary.

Explanation: ‘’Calgary’’ is the restrictive appositive phrase because without it the sentence wouldn’t make sense. It is essential to the phrase and has no commas surrounding it.

2. A) Canada, located in the northern part of North America, is famous for their maple syrup.

Explanation: ‘’located in the northern part of North America’’ is a non-restrictive appositive phrase because there is only country named Canada and we can understand the sentence without the added information. It gives extra detail and is surrounded with commas.

1. B) My family is visiting the country Canada to try their maple syrup.

Explanation: ‘’Canada’’ is a restrictive appositive because without this word the sentence would be lacking important information. There are no commas surrounding the phrase and it is essential.

Test Questions:

1. Identify the appositive in each of these sentences listed below.

a) Jackie who is from Canada doesn’t like to go swimming.
b) My sister Chloe doesn’t like reptiles.
c) The neighbour who is 29 years old slipped on a banana.
d) My brother Fred is turning 11 this year.
e) The Queen of Canada Queen Elizabeth 11 has owned over thirty corgis in her lifetime.

2. Identify whether or not this is a restrictive or non-restrictive sentence.

a) The spider an eight-legged arachnid is crawling up my window.
b) My brother Rob has been to the desert.
c) My cousin who lives by the park is an exceptional soccer player.
d) Only people who went to university can become a doctor.
e) A brilliant scientist Lindsay is going to the park to observe the nature around her.

3. True or False: Is this a non-restrictive sentence?

“My brother, who is ten years older than me, is going fishing on the weekend.”

4.  True or False: Is this a non-restrictive sentence?

“My brother Fred is going to the Olympics.”

5. True or False: Is this a restrictive sentence:

“My cousin Rob, who is an exceptional soccer player, hangs out at the beach.”

Answers:

1. a) who is from Canada
b) Chloe
c) who is 29 years old
d) Fred
e) Queen Elizabeth 11

2. a) non-restrictive
b) restrictive
c) non-restrictive
d) restrictive
e) non-restrictive

3. True

4. False

5. False