What Is an Appositive? - (With Definition, Examples And Types)

Definition of Appositives in English

In English grammar, an opposition is a noun, a noun phrase or a series of nouns placed next to another word or phrase. So that it can be identified or renamed. The word "negative" comes from the Latin "given." Nonrestrictive adjectives are usually set by commas, parentheses or dashes. A word or phrase such as, for example, or by which an apostrophe may be introduced.

What Is An Appositive?

In the world of grammar, an inspired is a single word that refers to two or more grammatically parallel units that indicate the same thing where one unit helps to identify the other, e.g. My dog ​​Lucy. In this case, the word "Lucy" is an appositive because it further identifies the noun "dog". Think of appositive as extra layers of description that may appear at the beginning, middle, and end of a sentence.

What Are The Three Types Of Appositives?

1. Nominative in Appositives
2. Objective in Appositives
3. Possessive in Appositives

1. Nominative in Appositives: In this case Appositives sit after the Subject.

Example: Mr. Smith, Principle of our college, is a good administrator.

Note: Case-in-Appositives provides additional information about its previous noun. Here also the principle of our college, the noun phrase is its previous noun - Mr. Smith then sat down and provided additional information about him. So the principle of our college - Appositives or case in Appositives.

2. Objective in Appositives: In this case Appositives sits after the object and provides additional information about the object.

Example: We invited Mr. Alex, a great physician of USA.

Note: The appositives "a great physician" in the above sentence provides additional information about the "Mr. Alex" object sitting next to it. So a great physician of USA Appositives.

3. Possessive in Appositives: In this case, the appositive is possessive and indicates the possessiveness of its previous noun.

Example: I have read Nazrul, the poet's work.

Note: In the above sentence "the poet's work" - Appositive because the poet has the possessive mark ('s) and it indicates possession over the works of his previous noun Nazrul.

Many times the appositive can sit at the beginning of the sentence. In this case, the appositive sits at the beginning of the sentence and precedes the noun that provides additional information.

Examples:

• A famous novelist, Michael has consented to attend our function.
• The famous novel, Michael Copperfield, is a classic.

What Is An Example Of Appositives?
Appositives is the noun or noun phrase that sits next to the main noun. It describes, helps to identify, explains or gives more information about that main noun. For example: My cat, Bengal, is bigger than you expected. For example, "my cat" versus "Bengal". This is because "my cat" is describing or "Bengal" is defining what.

In each of these appositive examples, the appositive appears in the middle of the sentence next to the noun whose name is changed. Appositive are similar.

In Closing

The next time you want to improve the flow, clarity or descriptive quality of your writing, try using an apostrophe. If you have any other great similar examples, feel free to comment below!

FAQs - Definition of Appositives in English

What is an appositive?

Answer: An appositive is a phrase that defines a noun or noun phrase. Although it is not the same as an adjective. Appositives still function as nouns and usually include complete phrases. They can come before or after the noun or pronoun they modify. And can be placed at the beginning, middle and end of a sentence. Placement usually depends more on the writer's choice.

What is an appositive phrase?

Answer: An appositive phrase is a group of words that contains an appositive and its modifier. Similar to a single word, appositive phrases next to the noun or pronoun they are naming.

How to use appositive phrases?

Answer: Using a appositive phrase can improve your writing. It even makes it easier to convey additional information.

​​Is there an appositive sentence?

Answer: No. As we saw above, an appositive is not a verb. However, appositives can easily be turned into relative simple sentences depending on the writer's or speaker's style and preferences.

What does the word appositive mean?

Answer: In grammar textbooks, you'll usually find that an appositive phrase is a noun phrase that stands with the noun it describes. It basically means, that an inflected word or phrase is related to the noun. This is about more details gives details. It enriches a sentence and reveals more about its subject or object.