Question

Identify the appositive in the below sentence:
The Blessed Mary, mother of Jesus, was married to Joseph.

• A. mother of Jesus
• B. married to Joseph
• C. Blessed Mary
• D. Jesus

Answer 1

The correct option is A mother of Jesus

Appositive is a noun/ a noun phrase, which follows another noun/ noun phrase. The appositive noun/ noun phrase, describes/ renames the first noun. It usually is preceded by a comma or a hyphen. Sometimes, it follows the first noun and is given within brackets.

In the given sentence, the first noun phrase "The Blessed Mary" is a proper noun indicating name of a person. This noun is followed by a comma and a noun phrase viz. "mother of Jesus". This noun phrase describes the first noun phrase. Hence, this second noun phrase is the appositive. Option A is correct.

Option B is incorrect as this phrase viz. "married to Joseph" is preceded by a verb "was". Also, it does not immediately follow the noun phrase being described.

Options C and D are incorrect as these do not describe the first noun phrase.