Apposiivne

Apposiivne, in linguistics often called an appositive, is a relationship between two noun phrases in which they refer to the same entity. The second noun phrase renames, identifies, or elaborates on the first. The construction is common across languages and is typically realized as an adjunct that follows the main noun.

Examples include: “My sister, an engineer, will visit.” and “Paris, the capital of France, attracts many visitors.” In English, appositive phrases are usually set off by commas when they provide extra information, but they can also appear without punctuation in some identifying uses. Apposition can involve a full noun phrase or a smaller descriptor, and it may also occur with titles or proper names.

Appositive constructions are often described as non-restrictive (explanatory) or restrictive (identifying). A non-restrictive appositive adds information that could be left out without changing the fundamental reference, and is typically enclosed by commas. A restrictive appositive is used to identify a particular referent and may have different punctuation rules depending on the language.

Punctuation and use vary by language. Some languages prefer additional punctuation marks such as dashes or parentheses, and others permit tighter, punctuation-free forms in certain identifying contexts. Apposition is a common tool in discourse to avoid repetition while supplying clarifying or supplementary information about a referent.

Etymology: the term derives from Latin appositus, “placed near.” In linguistic descriptions, apposiivne or appositive denotes this near-renaming relationship between noun phrases.