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Apposition Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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apposition

[æpəˈzɪʃən ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

grammar usage

Apposition is a grammatical construction in which a noun or noun phrase is placed next to another noun or noun phrase to explain or identify it. It typically involves two elements that refer to the same person or thing. For example, in the phrase 'My brother, a doctor, lives in New York,' 'a doctor' is in apposition to 'my brother.' Apposition can provide additional information and clarity to sentences, making them more informative. This construction is common in English and can enhance the descriptive quality of language.

Synonyms

appositive, juxtaposition.

Examples of usage

  • The city of Rome, the capital of Italy.
  • Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States.
  • My friend Sarah, a talented musician.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'apposition'

The term 'apposition' originates from the Latin word 'appositio', which is derived from 'appositus', the past participle of 'apporere', meaning 'to place near'. The concept has been a part of grammatical studies since ancient times, with early references to apposition seen in Latin grammar texts. As the English language evolved, the term was adopted to describe similar constructions found in English, where nouns are placed adjacent to one another for explanatory purposes. The use of apposition can be traced back to classical literature and remains a fundamental aspect of syntactic structure in modern English.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,699, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.