Question

Explain why the phrase in this sentence is nonrestrictive, or nonessential to the sentence:

Answer 1

Answer:

Sample response: The name "Julian" is not necessary in the sentence. The writer can have only one youngest brother, so the name "Julian" is extra information.

Explanation:

Answer 2

Julian is a nonrestrictive appositive. An appositive is a noun that renames another noun.

It may be omitted without changing the basic meaning of the sentence. We can say "My youngest brother is already taller than I am." The meaning of the sentence will be the same because it will still be clear "who is already taller than I am."

Julian adds additional information, which is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. That is why it is a nonrestrictive appositive and is set off by commas.