appositive
/əˈpɒzɪtɪv/
a noun phrase that renames or explains another noun
appositive in a sentence
“My brother, a doctor, lives in Boston. Set off by commas if non-essential.”
Origin of appositive
Latin apponere (to put near)
Related Words
semicolon
joins independent clauses without a conjunction; signals close relationship
em dash
sets off parenthetical content with emphasis—like this—or signals a break
en dash
indicates ranges or connections between items
Oxford comma
the comma before 'and' in a list of three or more
colon
introduces what follows—a list, explanation, or elaboration
ellipsis
indicates omission, trailing off, or suspense