Indefinite article with the appositive phrase

Question

"The kitten, *a* black two-month old, was hiding in the wheel well."
How to explain the use of the indefinite article in the appositive phrase, given that we already know which kitten is being referred to?

Wouldn't we also say "The kitten was hiding in the wheel well. The black two-month old...."? What's the difference? Is there a rule here?

Thanks for your help!

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Anonymous*a* black two-month old

Because the description is one in a universe of black two-month-old kittens.
It is not referring to this specific kitten, but its characteristics.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousHow to explain ... ?

The kitten, a black two-month-old, was ... contains within it The kitten was a black two-month-old.

That's the same basic idea you see in The main character was a criminal or The boy was a fine swimmer or The puppy was a beagle. It is a means of placing the subject into a category. The subject is identified by saying it's a member of a certain class of entities.

Anonymousgiven that we already know which kitten is being referred to?

But you don't know yet how old it is or what color it is.

CJ

Indefinite article with the appositive phrase

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