Question

Identify the appositive in the sentence given below:
Sham, the university topper, is also a talented pianist.

• A. the university topper
• B. talented pianist
• C. Sham
• D. topper

Answer 1

The correct option is A the university topper

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 "Sham" is a proper noun indicating name of a person. This noun is followed by a comma and a noun phrase viz. "the university topper". 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. "talented pianist" is preceded by a verb "is". 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.