Appositive in this sentence

[Eddie88]

You have two nouns, each with its own finite verb


Each (pronoun) is an appositive renaming 'nouns' correct?


So is this just an appositive phrase modified by the prepositional phrase, that is, a resumptive modifier?


Thanks.

Edd

[OddThomas]

The phrase might be a resumptive modifier, albeit trivial--trivial in the sense that it actually does not occur after the sentence appears complete, and really does not take the sentence in a new and unexpected direction (such as this resumptive modifier :)). Each is, though, an appositive.

[Eddie88]

Agreed.

Cheers.

[Marius Hancu]

I am reluctant to declare this an appositive, as

nouns is plural
each is singular

I see the equivalent meaning as:

You have two nouns, and each has its own finite verb.

or:

You have two nouns. Each has its own finite verb.

which is not strict appositiveness.

More: nouns possess are possessed/had (by you) in the first part, each possesses/has something in the 2nd part. Clearly not the same syntactic role.

[OddThomas]

Marius, you may be right, but here's an exercise:

This is an appositive--I'd like you to meet my friend, the artist.
This should be an appositive--I'd like you to meet my friends, the artist and the singer.
This should be an appositive also--I'd like you to meet my friends, each of whom is an artist.
I should think that this is also an appositive--You have two nouns, each with its own finite verb.
If the last is not an appositive, please explain where the analysis breaks down.

[Marius Hancu]

I exercised enough on the original, and I said my piece:-)

It's all about the turn each brings to the sentence.

[Eddie88]

I see where you are coming from...

What do you suggest it is?

Would you say that it is a new complete thought, and thus it should be puncutuated and changed as such:

I have two nouns, and each has its own finite verb.

?

Cheers

Edd

[Eddie88]

Two things have happened. One, I have recalled something I learned a few years ago; 2, I re-read the topic to ensure I get it right:

The structure is that of a noun absolute.

As you may know, a noun absolute is a structure, usually with its own subject, that modifies a whole sentence. The subject of the absolute is a noun or pronoun that generally specifies something within the main clause. For instance, the hands of John:

Hands shaking slightly, John walked up on stage.

Often, the subject of the absolute is modified by a participle phrase. However, as you can see with the the sentence we are dealing with, the subject can be modified by any phrase that modifes a noun, in this case, a prepositional phrase, which is, of course, functioning adjectivally.


Cheers.

[OddThomas]

That said, I don't see how your last comments apply to your initial inquiry. In the spirit of furthering intellectual flower, however, I offer this helpful link: http://sharepoint.niles-hs.k12.il.us/west/danqui/Lecture%20Notes/Grammar%20Packets/Noun%20Absolutes.pdf

[Eddie88]

My initial question was asking if 'each' was an appositive. We established that it wasn't, so I wanted to know what it was.

From here, I learned the phrase was an absolute phrase, and thus the pronoun 'each' is not an appositive, but a new subject.

The site you provided was reasonable. I have read many discussions on this. However, this one has a sentence example that seems incorrect to me because a conjunction precedes a second absolute in the same sentence, and from what I've read, conjunctions do not precede this structure.

Cheers

Edd

[OddThomas]

Here is the problem sentence with the absolute resolved. Thank you for your persistence. I stand corrected, and will triple check the tricky ones before I write up an answer.You have two nouns, each [is] with its own finite verb.
I am not sure what you are referring to with this comment: this one has a sentence example that seems incorrect to me because a conjunction precedes a second absolute in the same sentence.

[Eddie88]

This is the sentence example from the site you provided to which I was referring:

The evening grew ominous, the breeze gusting strongly, and whitecaps giving the lake a frothy, sinister appearance.


Here, the second absolute has a conjunction preceding it. But, from what I've read, they are not preceded by conjunctions. Most sites do not actually say this, but all their examples show no conjunctions. However, here is one site which states that they do not use conjunctions.

The defintion it provides right at the top asserts this:

http://www.testmagic.com/grammar/explanations/phrases/absolute-phrases-introduction.asp


I find these constructions very useful. They join two very similar thoughts, so that a period doesn't ruin this relationship. For example,

Only write down the key points that the lecturer writes down, the key points being what is tested in the exam and what is included in assignments.


Cheers

Edd

[OddThomas]

I believe that your authority (http://www.testmagic.com/grammar/explanations/phrases/absolute-phrases-introduction.asp) (a) wants you to understand that absolutes are not commonplace clauses, innocent structures worried over fruitlessly, bearers of glaring conjunctions staring you in the face; and (b) has given you an example using a conjunction himself (see bullet three).

Notice that the conjunctions being used are not subordinating conjunctions, nor coordinating conjunctions connecting independent clauses, but coordinating conjunctions connecting items in a series (series conjunctions, if you will) in this manner: a, b, and c. I believe this is a legitimate use of the conjunction with the absolute, one overriding the no-conjunction rule.