Noun phrases: dependent words

In a noun phrase, dependent words before the head are either determiners (e.g. the, my, some) or premodifiers (e.g. adjectives). Dependent words after the head are either complements or postmodifiers.

Noun phrases: determiners (a, the, my, his, some, this, etc.)

Determiners come first in a noun phrase (e.g. the big black car). They include:

• articles: a/an, the
• demonstratives: this, that, these, those
• possessive determiners: my, your, his, her, etc.
• quantifiers: some, any, all, enough, no, every, etc.
• numerals: one, two, three, etc.
• interrogative words: which, what, whose

Determiners show the type of reference the noun phrase makes. The reference may be definite (the), indefinite (a/an), demonstrative (this, that, these, those), possessive (my, our, their, etc.). Determiners can also indicate number or quantity (e.g. seven, all, some, no). (Determiners are in bold; heads are underlined.):

• This room is the guest bedroom*.*
• Your sister rang while you were at the shop*.*
• Every time I see him he’s wearing no shoes*.*
• Which box do you want?

See also

• Determiners (the, my, some, this)

Noun phrases: premodifiers (big, good, red)

Premodifiers consist of single adjectives, adjective phrases, single nouns and noun phrases which are used before the head in a noun phrase.

Adjective premodifiers

Adjectives describe the qualities or features of a noun. Common adjectives include nice, big, bad, happy, black, beautiful, new. (Adjectives and adjective phrases are in bold; heads are underlined.):

a nice day	my new armchair
a very happy life	that big, black umbrella

See also

• Adjectives
• Adjective phrases

Nouns acting as premodifiers

Nouns can act as premodifiers in noun phrases. They specify particular aspects or features of the noun, such as type, material, etc. (Premodifier nouns are in bold; heads are underlined.):

a university education	two 18th-century solid silver cups
a fur coat	the post-war economy
a recent government report

Nouns which act as premodifiers are singular, even when the head is plural:

• Four metal cylinders were attached to the machine.
• Not: Four metals cylinders were attached to the machine.
• You can get really good, cheap leather jackets in Marrakesh.

Noun phrase modifiers indicating time or measurements are singular in form even when their meaning is plural. Hyphens are normally used in the modifying expression:

• an eight-hour flight a three-day tour of Amsterdam a two-litre bottle
• Not: an eight-hours flight

Noun phrases: complements

Complements come immediately after the head in a noun phrase. They are prepositional phrases or clauses which are necessary to complete the meaning of the noun. Without the complement, we wouldn’t understand what the noun was referring to.

pre-head	head	complement	type
a	rise	in inflation	prepositional phrase
a	feeling	of fear and loneliness	prepositional phrase
the	idea	that schools should control their own finances	clause
the	fact	that the planet is getting warmer	clause

A rise in inflation is likely in the coming months.

The idea that schools should control their own finances is not a new one.

The fact that the planet is getting warmer is no longer disputed.

See also

• Prepositional phrases
• Relative clauses

Noun phrases: postmodifiers

Postmodifiers come after the head in a noun phrase. They consist of adverb phrases, prepositional phrases and clauses. Postmodifiers give extra or specific information about the noun (e.g. place, possession, identifying features). Unlike complements, they are not necessary to complete the meaning.

pre-head	head	postmodifier	type
an old	cottage	nearby	adverb phrase
a tall	man	with grey hair	prepositional phrase
that antique	table	she bought last year	clause
the	parcel	on my desk that Philip left for you	prepositional phrase (on my desk) + clause (that Philip left for you)
the	woman	in the black dress talking to Marcus	prepositional phrase (in the black dress) + clause (talking to Marcus)

Postmodifiers usually come after any complement in the noun phrase.

pre-head	head	complement	postmodifier
the	claim	that he was a car thief	which appeared in several newspapers
a	feeling	of hope	that everyone shared

See also

• Prepositional phrases

Noun phrases: complements or postmodifiers?

Complements are necessary to complete the meaning of a noun. Postmodifiers are not necessary; they give extra information about the noun which helps to identify it or locate it in some way. (The complement and the postmodifier are underlined below.)

Compare

complement	postmodifier
We all felt a sense of despair.	The tall woman in the red skirt talking to Paula is a colleague of mine.
The head sense needs more information to complete its meaning. If we only said We all felt a sense, the meaning would not be complete; we need the complement.	The postmodifiers in the red skirt and talking to Paula help us to identify the woman but they are not necessary. The meaning (The tall woman is a colleague of mine.) would be complete without them.