Appositives (comma usage)

An appositive is a word or phrase that explains or describes a

preceding noun.

Example:

• His latest book, China Off Limits, is a best seller.

Exercise

• We expect our assistant Mr. Lloyd to be on time every day.

• Claude Monet the impressionist painter was French.

• One street in town Park Drive is closed for a crafts fair.

• I ordered a birthday cake for my cousin Moira.

The month and date are set off by commas when they follow the day of the week

• Your taxes are due on Tuesday, April 15, at midnight

The year is set off by commas when it follows the month and date.

• Kitty was married on May 1, 1997, and has two sons.

• However, a comma is not used between the month and year when the date is omitted.

• I graduated in June 2001

• The state is set off by commas when it follows the name of a city.

• We left Houston, Texas, and drove to Rapid City, South Dakota.

• When expressing a complete address in a sentence format, separate each line of the address with a comma.

• I work at Longo and Sons, 149 Shrub Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612

Exercise

• February 1996 is the date on which Amelia Aponte began teaching at our school.

• Arturo Tozzi conducted the orchestra on Saturday January 5 at 8 p.m.

• Jermaine has been living at 6 Glen Oaks Road Parkersburg West Virginia

Direct Address

• Direct address occurs when the person being communicated with is called by name or title. Names and titles are set off by commas. When a direct address occurs at the beginning or end of a sentence, only one comma is used to set it off

• Your presence is requested, Colleen. • I believe, sir, you are correct• Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.

Exercise

• Captain the soldiers are awaiting your orders.

• I am late Deb because my car would not start.

• Please spend the weekend with us Uncle Bob.

• Let’s eat Grandpa