Appositive vs. Adjective Clause — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on December 20, 2023
An appositive renames or explains a noun, while an adjective clause describes a noun. Both provide more information about nouns.
Difference Between Appositive and Adjective Clause
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or explains another noun or noun phrase in a sentence. It provides more specific information or clarification about the noun it refers to. For example, in the sentence "My brother, the engineer, is coming," "the engineer" is an appositive that gives more information about "My brother."
An adjective clause, on the other hand, is a dependent clause that functions as an adjective. It provides descriptive information about a noun, just as a single-word adjective does. In the sentence "The man who wore a blue shirt left," "who wore a blue shirt" is an adjective clause that describes "The man."
When we talk about appositives, it's important to remember that they are essentially renaming devices. They give another name or identity to the noun they follow. On the contrary, adjective clauses don't rename nouns; instead, they offer additional information that describes them.
It's interesting to note that while appositives are usually set off by commas (especially if they're non-essential), adjective clauses might or might not be, depending on whether they provide essential or non-essential information. For instance, "My sister, who is an artist, is talented" has a non-essential adjective clause, so it's set off by commas.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Noun/noun phrase renaming another noun.
Dependent clause functioning as an adjective.
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Punctuation
Often set off by commas.
Might or might not be, depending on essentiality.
Function
Renames or explains a noun.
Describes a noun.
Example
My friend, the doctor, is kind.
The girl who sings is my friend.
Essentiality
Can be essential or non-essential.
Can be essential or non-essential.
Compare with Definitions
Appositive
A grammatical construction that renames a noun.
The insect, a large cockroach, scurried away.
Adjective Clause
A phrase providing additional information about a specific noun.
The book, which is on the table, is mine.
Appositive
A clarifying element placed next to a noun.
The author, a renowned journalist, wrote a new article.
Adjective Clause
A dependent clause that describes a noun.
The man who wore glasses read a book.
Appositive
A modifier that provides specific information about a noun.
The car, a red sedan, was parked outside.
Adjective Clause
A type of subordinate clause acting as an adjective.
I met the lady who is a famous actress.
Appositive
An explanatory word or phrase positioned beside another noun.
The planet, Mars, is the fourth from the sun.
Adjective Clause
A group of words with a subject and verb that provide descriptive details.
The cake that she baked is delicious.
Appositive
A noun or noun phrase that gives another name for a nearby noun.
My friend, the captain, arrived.
Adjective Clause
A construction beginning with relative pronouns to describe nouns.
The city where I was born is beautiful.
Appositive
Of, relating to, or being in apposition.
Appositive
A word or phrase that is in apposition.
Appositive
Of or being in apposition
Appositive
(grammar) a word or phrase that is in apposition
Appositive
Of or relating to apposition; in apposition.
Appositive to the words going immediately before.
Appositive
Relating to or being in apposition;
An appositive noun
Common Curiosities
What is the primary purpose of an appositive?
An appositive's main purpose is to rename or provide more specific information about a noun.
What is an appositive?
An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or explains another noun.
Why are adjective clauses important?
Adjective clauses provide descriptive information, making sentences more detailed and informative.
Can appositives be removed from a sentence?
Yes, non-essential appositives can be removed without changing the main meaning of the sentence.
How do I identify an adjective clause?
Adjective clauses often start with relative pronouns like who, whom, which, whose, and that.
Are appositives always set off by commas?
Not always. Essential appositives aren't typically set off by commas, but non-essential ones are.
Can a sentence have both an appositive and an adjective clause?
Yes, for example: "My friend, the doctor, who graduated last year, is moving."
In "the girl who danced," what is "who danced"?
"Who danced" is an adjective clause describing "the girl."
How is an adjective clause different from an appositive?
An adjective clause describes a noun, whereas an appositive renames or explains it.
Can an adjective clause be essential to a sentence?
Yes, some adjective clauses provide essential information and aren't set off by commas.
Can appositives be long phrases?
Yes, appositives can be a single word or extended phrases.
Do adjective clauses always follow the nouns they modify?
Typically, yes. They provide details about the noun they immediately follow.
How can I practice identifying appositives and adjective clauses?
Reading and underlining or highlighting appositives and adjective clauses in texts can be a good practice.
Is "my brother, a lawyer" an example of an appositive?
Yes, "a lawyer" is an appositive that renames "my brother."
Are there any other types of clauses similar to adjective clauses?
Yes, there are also adverbial and noun clauses that serve different functions in sentences.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
