Which form of punctuation is BEST suited for setting off brief nonessential information such as appositives adjective phrases and adverb in more formal writing?

The best punctuation for setting off brief nonessential information like appositives, adjective phrases, and adverbs in more formal writing is commas.

Here's why:

* Clarity: Commas clearly distinguish the nonessential information from the main clause, making the sentence easier to understand.

* Formal Tone: Commas are the standard punctuation for these situations in formal writing.

* Conciseness: While parentheses can also be used, they tend to be more disruptive to the flow of the sentence and are less commonly used in formal writing.

* Emphasis: Dashes can be used for emphasis, but they are generally considered less formal and more intrusive than commas.

Examples:

* Appositive: "My sister, a talented musician, is playing at the festival."

* Adjective Phrase: "The house, painted a vibrant blue, stood out on the street."

* Adverb: "The dog, happily wagging its tail, greeted me at the door."

Note: While commas are the preferred choice, other punctuation marks can be used in specific situations:

* Parentheses: For information that is truly extraneous to the main point of the sentence.

* Dashes: For emphasis or when the nonessential information is lengthy or complex.