Introduction to Noun Phrases

The internal Structure of Noun Phrases
NNP (det) (AP) N(-pl) (PrepP)

The NP can be expanded:

•as a noun with plural inflection: books, children
•as a noun with up to three determiners: all his other money
•as a noun with a preceding adjective phrase: a very blue sky
•as a noun with various combinations of the above options: the famous city of New York

The determiner slot can take up to three words:
All the other my other two the first four

Notes:

AP= adjective phrase
Det = determiner
NP= noun phrase
PrepP= prepositional phrase
-pl= plural

Noun Phrases function in one of three ways in English: as subjects, as objects, and as predicates.

1- Noun phrases function as objects:

Direct object – Jim read a book.
Indirect object – Sara gave me some flowers.
Objects of prepositions – Sam lives in a big house.

2- NP as predicates

A] Predicate of subjects - when they occur after a copular verb.
Subject noun predicate – Jane is a teacher.

B] Predicate of objects - when an object noun phrase is expanded to include an object noun predicate:
Object noun predicate – We elected Sam treasurer.
The determiner slot consists of three subcategories:

1. predeterminers - (words like all and both)

2. core determiners - (articles like a and the, demonstratives like this and that, and possessives like my and his)

3. postdeterminers - (quantifiers like three and comparative reference terms like other, both of which may occur in either order)

Determiners are modifiers of nouns.

« There are some determiners that occur only with singular count nouns like a, one, another ;
« Many determiners that occur only with plural count nouns: these, those, many, both, two, three, and so on.
« A few determiners occur only with uncountable nouns: much, (a) little;
«Some determiners occur with either plural nouns or uncountable nouns: some, all, no, other.
« The optional prepositional phrase accounts for those prepositional phrases that cannot have a predicate relationship with the head noun (eg. A man of honor, the city of Chicago, two pounds of sugar, etc.)


Noun Phrases function as predicates of subjects when they occur after a copular verb. They function as predicates of objects when an object noun phrase is expanded to include an object noun predicate:


Subject noun predicate – Jan is a teacher.
Object noun predicate – We elected Sam treasurer.

From: Celce-Murcia, M & Larsen-Freeman, D. The Grammar Book. Heinle & Heile Publishers, 1999.

Travelling by train 

Travelling by train has many advantages. First of all, there are no stressful traffic jams, and trains are fast and comfortable. Also, you can use the time in different ways. For example, you can just sit and read, or watch the world go by. You can work, or you can have a meal or a snack in the buffet car.

Travelling by train also has some disadvantages. It is expensive and the trains are sometimes crowded and delayed. You have to travel at certain times and trains cannot take you door to door. You need a bus or a taxi to take you to the railway station.

I prefer travelling by train to travelling by car. I feel more relaxed when I reach my destination.