Noun Phrase
Noun Phrase: Definition, Types, Functions and Examples
Noun phrase is so common and essential in English that almost all proper English structures contain noun phrase within them. Therefore, mastering noun phrase and its types should be given priority when learning English.
This article explains noun phrase meaning, definition, types and functions with examples in a clear, easy and understandable manner. Without any further delay, let's jump into the topic.
Noun Phrase: Meaning and Definition
Cambridge Dictionary defines noun phrase as "A noun phrase consists of a noun or pronoun, which is called the head, and any dependent words before or after the head. Dependent words give specific information about the head."
YourDictionary defines noun phrase as "A group of words that function like a noun. Also known as nominals, noun phrases act as subjects or objects in a sentence. Noun phrases can't function as a complete sentence."
British Council defines as "Often a noun phrase is just a noun or pronoun. But noun phrases can also include pre-modifiers such as determiners, quantifiers, numbers and adjectives and post-modifiers such as prepositional phrases, ing phrases, relative clauses, etc."
From the above-mentioned definitions, we knew that:
- A noun phrase contains a noun or pronoun and other dependent words know as modifiers.
- A noun or pronoun in a noun phrase is called its head word.
- A noun phrase functions like a noun: being the subject or object in a sentence for example.
- A noun phrase is a phrase which can't function as a complete sentence because it doesn't contain a subject and a predicate at the same time.
- Just a noun or pronoun can be called a noun phrase
- A noun phrase contains pre-modifiers and post-modifiers which give specific information about it.
Noun Phrase Examples:
(a) John is happy.
(b) Ten students are available there.
(c) A happy man makes you happy.
(d) The bird sitting on the tree flew away.
(b) Ten students are available there.
(c) A happy man makes you happy.
(d) The bird sitting on the tree flew away.
Explanation: In example (a), John is a noun phrase; in example (b), ten students is a noun phrase which is modified by the numeral adjective ten; in example (c), a happy man is a noun phrase which is modified by the attributive or qualitative adjective happy; in example (d), the bird sitting on the tree is a noun phrase which is modified by the prepositional phrase on the tree.
How to Identify a Noun Phrase?
To identify a noun phrase in a sentence, you'll want to examine the following points. If the points given below are satisfied, you can call it a noun phrase.
1. Look if there's a noun in the phrase in a sentence.
2. Look for the components of the phrase in a sentence.
3. Carefully look at the functions of the phrase in a sentence.
2. Look for the components of the phrase in a sentence.
3. Carefully look at the functions of the phrase in a sentence.
Noun in a Phrase
To recognize a noun phrase, you'll first want to see if there's a noun in the phrase in a given sentence. From the definitions of a noun phrase given above, it's clear that every noun phrase contains a noun or pronoun. So the presence of a noun or pronoun indicates that it's a noun phrase.
For example, in the sentence, "He's a good student.", a good student is a noun phrase because the phrase contains a noun, student.
Components of Noun Phrase
To call a phrase a noun phrase, you'll next want to look at the components of the phrase in a sentence. In the definition of noun phrase given by British Council, it's clear that a noun phrase is modified by pre-modifiers such as articles (a, an, the), numbers (one, two, first, second), quantifiers (few, a few, little, a little), adjectives (happy, long, small), by post-modifiers such as prepositional phrases (on the tree, under the tree), ing phrases (standing at the door), relatives clauses (the man who is there is my friend.)
So the following are the structures or components of a noun phrase.
1. Only a noun or pronoun as in John or he goes.
2. Pre-modifier plus a noun as in A happy man.
3. A noun plus post-modifier as in John sitting under the tree.
4. Pre-modifier plus a noun plus post-modifier as in A happy man sitting under the tree.
2. Pre-modifier plus a noun as in A happy man.
3. A noun plus post-modifier as in John sitting under the tree.
4. Pre-modifier plus a noun plus post-modifier as in A happy man sitting under the tree.
Functions of Noun Phrase
The final thing you'll take into consideration to identify a noun phrase is that you'll look at the functions of a phrase used in a sentence. According to the definition given by YourDictonary, it's clear that a noun phrase acts:
1. as a subject as in "John goes."
2. as a direct or indirect object as in "He gave John a pen." and "He gave a pen to John"
3. as an object of a preposition as in "The dog is under the tree."
4. as a subject complement as in "He's John."
5. as noun in apposition as in "John, my friend, is here."
2. as a direct or indirect object as in "He gave John a pen." and "He gave a pen to John"
3. as an object of a preposition as in "The dog is under the tree."
4. as a subject complement as in "He's John."
5. as noun in apposition as in "John, my friend, is here."
Types of Noun Phrase
Noun phrase have the following three types based on functions:
1. Infinitive Phrase: to plus verb as in to eat. An infinitive noun phrase acts as a subject, object or subject complement. (learn more about infinitive phrase here.)
Infinitive noun phrase as subject
Example: To err is human.
Infinitive noun phrase as object
Example: I like to eat fruits.
Infinitive noun phrase as subject complement
Example: Our goal is to improve.
2. Gerund Phrase: verb plus ing as in eating. A gerund noun phrase acts as a subject, object or subject complement.
Gerund noun phrase as subject
Example: Swimming is the best exercise.
Gerund noun phrase as object
Example: Everyone likes going on holidays.
Gerund noun phrase as subject complement
Example: My pass time is reading novels.
3. Appositive Phrase: noun in apposition to another noun as in my friend John. An appositive phrase gives more information about a noun mentioned before it. (learn more about appositive phrase here.)
FAQs- Noun Phrase
What is noun phrase?
Cambridge Dictionary defines noun phrase as "A noun phrase consists of a noun or pronoun, which is called the head, and any dependent words before or after the head. Dependent words give specific information about the head."
What are the four structures of a noun phrase?
The following are the four structures or components of a noun phrase.
1. Only a noun or pronoun as in John goes.
2. Pre-modifier plus a noun as in A happy man.
3. A noun plus post-modifier as in John sitting under the tree.
4. Pre-modifier plus a noun plus post-modifier as in A happy man sitting under the tree.
2. Pre-modifier plus a noun as in A happy man.
3. A noun plus post-modifier as in John sitting under the tree.
4. Pre-modifier plus a noun plus post-modifier as in A happy man sitting under the tree.
How to identify a noun phrase?
Step 1. Look if there's a noun in the phrase in a sentence.
Step 2. Look for the components of the phrase in a sentence.
Step 3. Carefully look at the functions of the phrase in a sentence.
Step 2. Look for the components of the phrase in a sentence.
Step 3. Carefully look at the functions of the phrase in a sentence.
What are the functions of a noun phrase?
1. as a subject as in "John goes."
2. as a direct or indirect object as in "He gave John a pen." and "He gave a pen to John"
3. as an object of a preposition as in "The dog is under the tree."
4. as a subject complement as in "He's John."
5. as noun in apposition as in "John, my friend, is here."
2. as a direct or indirect object as in "He gave John a pen." and "He gave a pen to John"
3. as an object of a preposition as in "The dog is under the tree."
4. as a subject complement as in "He's John."
5. as noun in apposition as in "John, my friend, is here."
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