McGraw-Hill Education Handbook of English Grammar & Usage by Mark Lester

Author:Mark Lester
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
Published: 2019-12-02T16:00:00+00:00

Appositives Without Commas

In general, do not use commas to set off words that are essential to the overall meaning of a sentence. The problem is sometimes it seems every word is important. However, as discussed earlier, the key with appositives is to look at the words they rename and consider how confused readers would be without the appositive. An appositive is essential when readers must have it to understand which person, place, or thing you have in mind. In such cases, you must leave out the commas.

X My friend, Jewel, needs a ride. (Confusion: Which friend? We assume you have more than one.)

My friend Jewel needs a ride.

X You need to read the book, The Color Purple. (Confusion: Which book? There must be millions of books available.)

You need to read the book The Color Purple.

Here are more examples of appositives that correctly omit the commas. Note how each appositive eliminates confusion by reducing the various ways readers could interpret each sentence.

The children’s song “Ring Around the Rosie” originated during the bubonic plague.

The country Denmark has had the same national flag longer than any other nation in history.

The French ruler Napoleon Bonaparte knowingly financed his Russian invasion with counterfeit money.

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