Grammar / Noun phrase | Definition / Functions

 

grammar

Noun Phrase

 Forms & Functions:

A Noun Phrase consists of a Noun or Pronoun, which is called the head, also any dependent words, which are called modifiers, before and / or after the head. Sometimes, a noun phrase consists of a noun which appears on its own; more often, it is accompanied by one or more other constituents. These constituents or modifiers are adjectival since they, like adjectives, modify or give specific information about the head.

In a Noun Phrase, a modifier before a noun is called a pre-modifier and the one after a noun is called a postmodifier; these terms indicate both the position and a function of the modifier.

Noun phrases appear in various forms: a noun proceeded by a determiner or by itself, a noun with premodifier(s) and / or postemodifier. 

FUNCTION:

_ In a clause / sentence, NPs act as subject (S), as object (0), or as complement (C

       [ (The house) (is ( (quite) expensive) ) ]      NP = S

               NP-S    VP-P  AdjP-Cs AdvP-M

 _ The Subject Complement (CS) is an Adjective Phrase (AdjP) modified by an Adverb Phrase (AdvP)

[ (They) (have bought) (the house)). ] NP = S ; NP = O

   NP-S      VP-P              NP-O

[ (This) (must be) (the house). ] NP = S ; NP = C 

 NP-S      VP-P      NP-Cs

Sometimes, some NPs (e.g. usually those indicating time) can act as adverbials 2

[(She) (ran) (a marathon) (last week) ] NP = A; NP = O; NP = A

 NP-S  VP-P     NP-Cs

Sometimes, an NP can be postmodified by another NP – the second NP, the postmodifier, is a subordinate NP to the first. This construction, when an NP is postmodified, defined or identified by another, is call APPOSITION and the NP postmodifier is called APPOSITIVE.

[(My classmate, (Joude,) ) (is ( (very) helpful.)) ]

 NP-S  NP-App(ositive)     VP-P Adj.-Cs AdvP-M

My classmate = Joude; this specifies the classmate I have in mind.