Have you ever come across a group of words in a sentence that functions as a single big noun. That big noun is called a noun phrase. A noun phrase add more information in the sentence by modifying the noun and works as a single noun.Â
In this article, you will learn what noun phrases are, how they work in sentences, what role they play, and lastly how to use them in your writing.
A noun phrase is a group of words that functions as a single unite in a sentence. The structure of a noun phrase include a noun and modifiers. These modifiers could be adjectives, determiners or some other words that modifies the noun and provide more information about the noun in the sentence. For example;
- The red car is parked outside.Â
In this sentence, “the red car” is a noun phrase because it functions as the subject and provides more information about the car in the sentence. Instead of just saying “car”, noun phrase helps us to know more about the car such as what type of car etc.
Functions of a Noun Phrase in Sentences
As a noun performs different functions in the sentence, similarly a noun phrase play several roles in the sentence.
Here are the most common functions of a noun phrase in the sentences.
- SubjectÂ
- ObjectÂ
- Complement
1. Acting as the Subject
A noun phrase acts as a subject in the sentence and tells us who or what the sentence is about by providing more information about the noun.
For example;
- The old man with a cane walked slowly.
As you can see, “the old man with a cane” is a noun phrase and acts as a subject in the sentence. Instead of just saying “the old man”, a noun phrase gives us more detail about the noun (the old man).
2. Acting as an Object
3. Acting as a Complement