Question

Identify the appositive in the below sentence:
When he fell sick, he was treated by Dr. Thomas, the family doctor.

• A. he fell sick
• B. Dr. Thomas
• C. the family doctor
• D. Dr. Thomas, the family doctor

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

the family doctor

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 immediately follows the first noun and is given within brackets.

In the given sentence, we have to search for 2 nouns/ noun phrases where the second noun/ noun phrase describes the first one. Dr. Thomas is a proper noun, which is followed by a comma and another noun phrase viz. "the family doctor". This second noun phrase which describes Dr.Thomas is called the appositive. Option C is correct.

Option A is incorrect as it does not speak about Mr. Thomas, but some other person who fell sick and was treated by Dr. Thomas.

Option D is incorrect as it refers to both the first and second noun phrases.