Question

Identify each of the underlined phrases as restrictive or nonrestrictive.

Her porcelain doll, a rare collector’s item, was sold at auction.


Chris went to Seattle to visit his aunt, a professional chef.


The boy with the baseball cap would like to have a turn.

Answer 1

1. "a rare collector’s item" — nonrestrictive.
(It's an appositive set off by commas; it adds extra information about the doll but doesn't identify which doll.)

2. "a professional chef" — nonrestrictive.
(Also an appositive with a comma; it gives extra information about his aunt rather than specifying which aunt.)

3. "with the baseball cap" — restrictive.
(No commas; the prepositional phrase identifies which boy and is essential to the meaning.)