November 5, 2007

Writing Tip of the Week

Correct Use of the Comma—Part 3

Ø Use a Comma to Set Off Nonrestrictive Appositives

Appositives are nouns or noun substitutes that follow another noun to identify it or further describe it.

The prosecution called Waylon Smither, Mr. Bush’s personal secretary, to the stand.

Most appositives are nonrestrictive and need to be set off with commas. However, restrictive appositives, like restrictive phrases and clauses, add information that restricts or limits the preceding noun and should not, therefore, be set off with commas.

The defendant’s brother Joseph contradicted the story another brother Daniel told to the police.

The defendant has more than one brother, so the noun phrases “defendant’s brother” and “another brother” must be restricted by the brothers’ names.

Some appositives are introduced by the word “or,” which is used as a restatement of or explanation for the preceding noun.

You may designate an attorney-in-fact, or agent, to make your health care decisions in the event you are unable to do so.

In the above sentence, the “or” introduces the noun “agent” which restates the preceding noun “attorney-in-fact.”

Note: You must be sure to distinguish the appositional “or” from the disjunctive “or,” which is used to introduce an alternative to the preceding noun and should not be set off with commas.

The girl’s father or uncle always accompanied her to the playground.

Adapted from:

The Legal Writing Handbook—Oates, Enquist, & Kunsch

Prepared by Chris Dunn