Noun Phrase

What is a noun phrase?

Definition:  A noun phrase is a phrase whose headword is a noun or a pronoun accompanied by modifiers. In the respect, there are two types of modifiers Pre modifiers and Post modifiers.

1.Pre modifiers are adjective and/ or articles.
2.Post modifiers are generally adjective phrase and/ or adjective clauses.

Possible noun modifiers

A noun phrase may optionally contain noun modifiers. If these modifiers are placed before the noun they are called pre-modifiers. However, if they are placed after the noun, they are called post-modifiers. Possible noun modifiers include the following:

1. Determiners:

  •articles (the, a),
  •demonstratives (this, that)
  •Numerals (two, five, etc.)
  •Possessives (my, their, etc.)
  •Quantifiers (some, many, etc.).

In English, determiners are usually placed before the noun;

   2. Adjectives (the delicious food)
   3. Complements, in the form of a prepositional phrase (such as: the student of physics), or a That-clause (the idea that the world is a small village)

Functions of a noun phrase

Noun phrases can function as subjects, objects:

Example:
   1.That sophisticated woman is beautiful. (That sophisticated woman is a noun phrase that functions as a subject.)
   2.I like the book that you bought. (The book that you bought is a noun phrase that functions as an object).

Form Of Noun Phrase

•Pre modifier+ Noun
•Pre modifier + Noun + Post modifier

    1.Pro modifier +Noun

Pro modifier +Noun is referred to as an article and/ or adjective, and a noun is called ‘Headword’

  Example:

   -I’d like to buy a car.
   -He’s an architect.
   -The price is reasonable.

2.PRE MODIFIER + NOUN + POST MODIFIER

Post modifier is referred to an adjective phrase and/ or adjective clause, and again a noun is called ‘Headword’
Example:
   -The student who study abroad have better opportunities.
   -These residents use the water from the stream.
   -The news which I have just received is very shocking.

POSITION OF NOUN PHRASE

The position of the noun phrase are not different from those of noun or noun clause.
Generally, there are seven positions.

    Position of Noun phrase:

1.Subject of a Verb
2.Direct object of a Verb
3.Indirect object of a Verb
4.After (also object of a Preposition )
5.Possessive case
6.Subject Complement
7.Phrase in apposition

1-SUBJECT OF VERB

Form: Noun phrase + Verb + (Object)

Example:
  -The three outstanding students will be awarded tomorrow.
  -The dog in the garden are chasing the sparrows.
  -Some staff didn’t receive the notification yesterday.

2-DIRECT OBJECT OF A VERB

Form: SUBJECT + VERB + NOUN PHRASE

Example:
   -I bought a leather belt yesterday.
   -Our center will recruit ten more staff.
   -We hate a long journey.

3-INDIRECT  OBJECT OF A VERB

Form: SUBJECT + VERB +DIRECT OBJECT + NOUN PHRASE

Here are the common verbs which usually take two object –indirect object (person) and direct object (here, noun phrase).

Bring, Buy, Send, Give (grant), Pass, Promise, Leave, Show, Offer, Tell, Write, Find, Provide, Award.

Example:

  -Please bring me some cold water.
  -My dad will buy me an expensive car.
  -I’ll send Cheata this love letter.

4-AFTER A PRPOSITION

Form: PREPOSITION + NOUN PHRASE

Example:

  -I’m very worried about our next trip.
  -Are you bored with his long speech?
  -He was apprehended on suspicion of attempted murder.

5-POSSESSIVE CASE (‘s)

Form: NOUN PHRASE + ‘S + NOUN

Example:
  -My math teacher’s wife had an accident this morning.
  -We need the suspect’s profile.
  -The six immigrants’ country is Vietnam.
  -Let’s contact these injured passengers’ relatives.

6-SUBJECT COMPLEMENT

Form: TO BE / BECOME + NOUN PHRASE

Noun phrase are placed after ‘To be’ or ‘Become’

Example:

   -She is a chemistry teacher.
   -He has become a famous singer since he was 10.
   -How long have you been a staff here?

7-PHRASE IN APPOSITION

Form: NOUN + NOUN PHRASE

  If two noun groups referring to the same person or thing are in apposition, one is placed immediately after the other with no conjunction joining them.
  Generally, only two commas are needed. We use them to add more information into sentences and give more information about someone or something that have already been named or mentioned about.

Example:

   -Mrs. Ney Mey, our school principle, has been demoted.
   -I walk Dalis, my little puppy to the beach every evening.
   -Dalis, the most generous lady, is the founder of this center.

                        Useful tip
  To infinitive and gerund phrase can also function as the noun phrase. They have the same positions as that of the noun phrase.
-To drive at night is very hazardous. (Used as a noun phrase/subject of verb)
-I don’t want to drive at night. (used as a noun phrase/ object of verb)
-Driving at night is very hazardous. (used as a NP/ subject of verb)
-I hate driving at night. ( used as a noun phrase/ object of a verb)