Syntax

Noun phrases examples with Modifiers and functions

Noun phrase

noun phrase is a structure that has a noun , a pronoun , or a noun word as its head or higher-ranking element. For example: The neighbor’s son is very intelligent. In this article we will provide the concept of Noun phrases examples with Modifiers and functions.

A noun phrase can be formed in two ways:

  • By a single noun or pronoun. For example: She left.
  • For a term that functions as a nucleus accompanied by other words that modify it. For example: My grandmother’s house was beautiful.

Noun Phrase Modifiers

The term that functions as the head of the structure is the only mandatory element in a noun phrase. In case it is accompanied by other words that modify it, they can be:

  • Determinants . They are the definite and indefinite articles ( the, the, the, the, some, some, etc.), the demonstratives ( this, that, that, etc.), the possessive pronouns ( his, my, your, ours, etc. ), ordinal and cardinal numerals ( two, seven, fourth, tenth, etc.), indefinite pronouns ( many, some, several, etc.) and exclamatory or interrogative pronouns ( what, how many, etc.). Usually, but not necessarily, determiners appear before the head. For example: The three musketeers left the castle.
  • Adjacent plugins . They are adjectives  that modify the nucleus and can be placed before or after it. For example: The red car is in the garage.
  • Name complements . These are prepositional phrases that complement the nucleus. For example: We sold the kitchen table so we could buy another one.
  • Appositions . They are structures equivalent to the main noun phrase, which specify or explain it. For example: Roberto, my neighbor, was sick all week.
  • adjective propositions . They are subordinate structures that serve to specify certain properties of the noun and are introduced by relative pronouns . They fulfill the same functions as an adjective. For example: The person who serves breakfast is late.

Functions of noun phrases

A noun phrase can fulfill the following syntactic functions:

  • Subject , which is the main function of this type of phrase. The core of the structure must agree in person and number with the verb of the sentence. For example: Winter was late in coming.
  • Direct object , in which case it can be replaced by lo, la, los, las and is not introduced by a linking verb. For example: He kicked the ball too hard and it punctured it.
  • Circumstantial complement , which can be of time or quantity. For example: Next week they will go to the market to look for provisions.
  • Predicative complement , which expresses a quality, property or state of the subject or of the direct object, with which it must agree in gender and number. For example: The commission appointed the former secretary director of the institute .
  • Attribute , in which case it can be replaced by lo and appears with linking verbs , such as to be, to be, to seem, etc. For example: This is the house I’ve dreamed of all my life .

Examples of sentences with noun phrases

  1. The warrior won all his fights .
  2. The young man is eating an apple .
  3. The restaurant will close its doors at midnight.
  4. The rock band presented their latest album in an unforgettable concert.
  5. The dark-haired woman is my mother .
  6. We will buy a huge house for the whole family.
  7. They were together all afternoon and they didn’t want to be apart anymore.
  8. Beach vacations will have to be postponed until next year.
  9. Traffic noise was very disturbing in that neighborhood.
  10. Chivalry novels are out of fashion.
  11. I will send a long letter to my brother to tell him the news.
  12. His capacity for wonder knew no limits .
  13. Juliana has many friends who do not value her enough .
  14. The rain was heavier than usual that morning .
  15. My younger brothers always get what they want.
  16. The chef of the mansion prepared some exquisite dishes for the guests.
  17. Several shots were heard in the distance and the police quickly arrived at the scene.
  18. Coexistence between them is increasingly difficult.
  19. My best friend is a great adventure partner .
  20. I lost the books I borrowed from the library .
  21. The doctor gave the patient all the postoperative indications .
  22. The driver stopped the huge bus on the side of the road.
  23. The cat’s coat has black, white, and brown spots .
  24. The business telephone is broken and calls cannot be received .
  25. Life is not always fair.
  26. The aircraft made an emergency landing .
  27. The crowd acclaimed their idols with shouts and applause.
  28. Maria, the mother of my friend , is an exceptional woman .
  29. Gather all your things and get out of here.
  30. The imperial city was more deserted than ever.

We hope you have understood the Noun phrases examples with Modifiers and functions.

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