The Apposition in grammar is considered as a construction of two elements linked together. Where the second specifies the first. This is part of the proper terminology of grammar. In particular, the apposition is one of the elements of the subject of a sentence.
According to the case, it can be a noun, an adjective, a pronoun or another kind of word. Sometimes articles or prepositions are used between elements.
Appositions also allow linking a generic noun to a proper noun: “Lago Nahuel Huapi” (“lake” + “Nahuel Huapi”). In addition to what has already been indicated so far, we can underline the existence of two fundamental types of apposition:
Explanatory Apposition: it is a complement of the name (CN) that contains additional information, it is like a clarification. It must be taken into consideration that when it goes in the middle of a sentence, it is usual for it to be set between commas, if it appears inside the sentence. For example:
- Lisbon, capital of Portugal, is on the banks of the Tagus
- Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, will preside over the act of homage to Cervantes
- The meeting is held in Stockholm, in the capital of Sweden
Specific Aposition: it is a complement of the name (CN). Add information to the name to differentiate it from others.
In conclusion it can be said; appositions that are unnecessary since the proper noun is defined by itself. If someone says that a sporting event will take place in “the city of Lisbon”, they are using an apposition (“city” + “Lisbon”). However, it is not necessary to add the generic noun "city" to "Lisbon" since, precisely, "Lisbon" is a "city". It would be the same to point out that the sporting event will be held in “Lisbon”, without the inclusion of the “city” element.
