Question

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

My youngest brother, Julian, is already taller than I am.

Answer 1

“A nonrestrictive modifying clause (or nonessential clause) is an adjective clause that adds extra or nonessential information to a sentence. The meaning of the sentence would not change if the clause were to be omitted. Nonrestrictive modifying clauses are usually set off by commas.”

http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/restrictiveclauses/

Answer 2

So from that, since phrase modifying the subject does not give essential information, it is considered a nonrestrictive rather than restrictive