grammar - Does the appositive in this sentence need to be set off with commas?


On the freelancing website Upwork, there is a US Punctuation and Mechanics test one can take to boost credibility on one's profile for potential clients. These tests are administered by third-party companies that often hire non-native English speakers, so they're known to have some inaccuracies. Unfortunately, because you're allowed to retake the exams after a certain period passes, the correct answers are never revealed.


One of the questions on this exam is the following:



Richard’s wife(A) Abigail(B) is an incredibly talented cook(C) and gardener.


Comma at (A)


Comma at (B)


Comma at (C)


Comma at (A) and (B)


No commas needed



I answered "No commas needed", but I suspected afterwards that the answer key was looking for the answer choice above it, "Comma at (A) and (B)". After searching this question online, I found a website with answers for the various questions on the test, and the site claims that "Comma at (A) and (B)" is in fact the correct answer for this particular question.


Is the answer key wrong? I feel like there's really no need for any commas, but on the other hand, the appositive Abigail isn't restrictive because it doesn't offer terribly "essential" information, suggesting it could be set off by commas.



Answer



Commas are used to set off an appositive when the appositive can only refer to a specific item. (The Chicago Manual of Style, 5:21,123; 6:22-24)


Examples:


Mary's son, Jesus, is thought by many to be the Messiah.


Dostoevsky's book Crime and Punishment is considered one of the great books of all time. [Dostoevsky wrote more than one book]


My only brother, Scott, is a great dude.


My brother Scott is one of eight boys in my family.


My favorite newspaper, the Chicago Tribune, is going downhill in a big way.


The magazine Newsweek is going downhill in a big way. [There are many magazines, perhaps others going downhill as well.]


So let's look at your example:


Richard's wife (A) Abigail (B) is an incredibly talented cook (C) and gardener.




  1. Commas are used at A and B because Richard has only one wife. I suppose you could argue there are still places on earth where men can be polygamous .. but it would be a weak argument.




  2. Item C does not have a comma because two objects do not make a series. Serial commas require at least three items. Such as: Richard's wife, Abigail, is a talented cook, gardener, and lover.




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