The Use of Articles with Nouns in Apposition

Exercise 1. Explain the use of articles with nouns used in apposition in the following sentences.

1. The girl he loved was Laura Merton, the daughter of a retired colonel who had lost his temper and his digestion in India.

2. It wouldn’t be hard to make up a story for Uncle Philip.

3. For some days Hotchkinson, the solicitor to whom Eden had deputed the case, sent me no news.

4. He had been to the tomb of Hafiz the poet.

5. Two men, two passengers, came along the gangway, and she amused herself by trying to guess whether they were single or married.

6. Charles was dancing with his cousin, a good-looking, strappling girl.

7. Even Mr March, the most realistic man there, could not forgive me.

8. He now arranged with Spender, editor of “The Times Literary Supplement”, to write articles on current French literature.

9. The drove up to the terminal, a brightly lighted and air-conditioned building.

10. I was chatting with the man’s wife, a lady in purple trousers, when he was called to the telephone.

11. He accepted the post of secretary to a diplomatic mission.

12. In the rear of the car, Margaret Howden, wife of the President of the firm, said to her husband: “You look tired”.

13. He’s Doctor Evans, the nephew of your host tonight.

14. The principal of the school decided to send the boy Chalmers back home.

15. That evening I was introduced to Captain Riley.

Exercise 2. Supply the required articles for nouns in the following sentences, paying special attention to those used in apposition.

1. Then Rudy saw … Professor Denton, … head of … History and Economics department.

2. The sun was hanging over the hill behind them, … large red ball which had lost its fierceness.

3. … Philip’s wife, … biggest snob in … family, invited me to tea.

4. Then we were joined by … two women, … acquaintances of Charles and Ann.

5. Across from her sat Delaney, … producer of the picture.

6. I said: “This is Mary Summers, … old school friend of mine.”

7. I have got … job of … secretary to our new MP.

8. … figure 5 is … same for … Russian or … American while … word “five” is not.

9. … Admiral Lacey was … red-faced man.

10. They sat in … drawing-room round the portable wireless, … present from Fleur.

11. Then he walked down Broadway, … main street of … town.

12. She was … daughter of … well-known theatrical manager, … willowy, wispy, fair-haired girl with … colourless eyes.

13. He assumed … role of … breadwinner for … family.

14. … General Holt withdrew his plan.

15. They had lunch at Hexley, … small village on … coast.

16. He was their favourite nephew, … son of their dead elder sister.

17. Grant got little information from Andy, … mail-car driver.

18. He introduced me to … girl Patricia, and I was glad of an opportunity to look at her face.

19. Peter hit so hard that he broke my arm. I fell to … ground yelling. Waters, … gym teacher, carried me off … field.

20. We spoke to … Philip’s secretary, … youngish man called Williams.

21. Within a short time, Gregory married Zalia Phelps, … daughter of Angus Phelps, … planter in Georgia.

22. Sam, … man who ran … elevator, didn’t like Peter.

23. Smiley, … captain of … team, got up on … bench and told them of his plan.

24. … nurse Everett, … bony woman of fifty, herself opened … door.

25. He would be given … post of … Minister of Justice.

Exercise 3. Use the proper article. Pay attention to the use of the article with the noun in apposition.

1. After my mother died, my father, … travelling man, sent me to live with his cousins.

2. Hautin, … lawyer by profession, had business dealings in the town.

3. Maidenhead, … river resort, is one of … loveliest reaches of … River Thames.

4. His father, … missionary, was killed in … uprising.

5. Here is Doctor Sheppard, … close friend of poor Roger’s.

6. Hopkin’s car, … black Cadillac five years old, was driven by … ageing Negro chauffeur.

7. I’ve arranged for you to call tomorrow on a friend of his, … editor.

8. They live in Lynton, … small village in Devonshire.

9. On … way across … river he chatted to … boatman, … local man.

10. After … weeks of … worry with … servants Christine chanced on Mrs Bennett, … widow of forty, clean and hard-working, who because of her daughter, … child of seven, had found it almost impossible to find … job.

11. Sunday came fine, as she had hoped, … soft spring day.

12. He rushed into … little back yard of … house, … small well of … darkness beneath … stars.

13. Then … second case came in, … woman of forty-five, Miss Basden, one of … most faithful of his followers.

Exercise 4. Insert articles where necessary.

1. Clyde thought that he, … nephew of the wealthy Griffiths, should be admitted into high society.

2. Quincey Taylor was … New Englander, … professor of English and … Chairman of the English Department at a small California college.

3. … Curie, husband and wife, were jointly awarded the Noble Prize for physics in 1903.

4. Sir Christopher Wren, … great British architect, is … creator of St. Paul’s Cathedral and many other wonderful buildings in London.

5. George Washington, … first president of the United States, was … strong opponent of the British Government’s policy, and at the outbreak of war was chosen … commander-in-chief of the revolutionary army. After the war, from 1789 to 1797, he was … president for two terms.

6. Democritus, … Greek philosopher, was known ho his contemporaries as … laughing philosopher.

7. The old cemetery of the Novodevichy Convent contains the graves of Anton Chekhov, … famous writer, of Sergei Solovyov, … distinguished historian, and his son Vladimir, … philosopher.

Exercise 5. Translate into English.

1. Эрнест Хемингуэй, великий американский писатель, проявлял большой интерес к русской литературе.

2. Джордж Вашингтон, главнокомандующий революционной армией, был избран президентом в 1789 г.

3. Профессор Стефан Ликок, известный канадский …., является также автором ряда книг по вопросам политики и экономики.

4. Беранже, знаменитый французский поэт, родился в 1780 г. В детстве он жил с дедом, бедным парижским портным. Когда началась революция, его отправили в провинцию к тетке, содержательнице гостиницы.

5. Озеро Байкал, чудо природы, находится в Сибири.

6. Крупнейшее озеро в Центральной Европе — Балатон — находится в Венгрии.