Omitting Subject Relative Pronouns

Question

Most textbooks state that subject relative pronouns cannot be omitted, e.g.

A: Alan threatened Brian.

B: Alan was a gangster.

A+B = Alan, who was a gangster, threatened Brian.

However, sometimes I will see the following:

A+B = Alan, a gangster, threatened Brian.

Is this standard usage? If so, is it still a relative clause or something else entirely?

Many thanks in advance.

In the second example, a ganster is an appositive.
– choster
Commented Sep 4, 2015 at 20:38 — choster, Commented Sep 4, 2015 at 20:38

deadrat · Accepted Answer · 2015-09-04 06:37:28Z

3

It's called an appositive, a noun or noun phrase immediately following another noun that renames or identifies that other noun.

answered Sep 4, 2015 at 6:37

deadrat

44.8k2 gold badges61 silver badges101 bronze badges

1

Sorry, I know I shouldn't use a comment to say thank you, but this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much!
– ITI
Commented Sep 4, 2015 at 6:45

Add a comment |

1 Answer 1