Today we’ll be talking about noun phrases.
A noun phrase is a group that consists of two or more words that function together as a noun. A noun phrase consists of a head, which is a noun, and one or more modifiers that modify the head. Modifiers that go before the head are called premodifiers, those that go after the head are postmodifiers.
Table of Contents
Premodifiers
Here are some examples of noun phrases with premodifiers. The head of each noun phrase is the noun CAT, which is in red. As you can see, the premodifiers may be articles, possessive adjectives or adjectives. They all precede the noun.
a cat
the cat
my cat
a wild cat
the terrifying wild cat
Postmodifiers
Here are some examples of noun phrases with postmodifiers. The head of each noun phrase is the noun TREES, which is in red. The postmodifiers are usually prepositional phrases, subordinate clauses or participles. They all follow the noun.
trees planted in my garden
trees with big leaves
trees that I planted long ago
Premodifiers and Postmodifiers
There may be both premodifiers and postmodifiers in one noun phrase.
the wild cat with black stripes
a tiger born in the zoo
a hungry tiger looking for prey
Nested Noun Phrases
Noun phrases may be nested inside other noun phrases.
the trees with leaves situated near the top
some trees planted in a garden with a wooden fence
