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Noun phrases

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.

Examples of noun phrases:

dependent word(s)headdependent word(s)

love

him
themoon
a goldring
the redone
goodfood
my own personalwebsite
thathousethere
the longestriverin the world
afeelingof isolation
the tall, blondewomanwe met at Joanna’s house

Noun phrases can refer to a particular example of something or to a whole class of people or things.

Compare

particular examplewhole class
my motherwomen
the red star in the southern skythe stars
New Yorka big city
See also
  • Noun phrases: complements
  • Noun phrases: determiners (a, the, my, his, some, this, etc.)
  • Noun phrases: premodifiers (big, good, red)
  • Noun phrases: postmodifiers