A phrase is a collection of words without a subject or predicate. The phrase is the fundamental building block of English grammar.
A noun phrase is a group of words that perform the function of a noun.
Noun Phrase Definition
A noun phrase is a group of words that function as nouns. It can be a subject or object/complement of a verb.
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Noun Phrase Examples
- The big, red apple on the table looks delicious.
- The old, rusty bicycle in the garage needs to be fixed.
- The tall, green trees in the forest provide shade on a hot day.
- The glass half full is a more positive way to look at things.
- The sound of music is soothing to the soul.
- The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is just a myth.
Nouns and Noun Phrases
Nouns | Noun Phrases |
Football is a good game. | Playing football is a good game. |
Reading is a good habit. | Have you enjoyed reading this novel? |
Your bed is ready. | Early to bed is a healthy habit. |
Uses of Noun Phrases
Noun Phrase as the subject of a verb
- The idea of travelling to space excites me.
- A group of students are studying in the library.
- Making a cake from scratch takes time and effort.
- The decision to move to a new city is a big one.
- The thought of starting a business is daunting but exciting.
- The prospect of winning the lottery is unlikely but exciting.
- A herd of cattle is grazing in the meadow.
- A collection of antique cars is on display at the museum.
- The fact that she had forgotten her keys was a major inconvenience.
- A swarm of bees is buzzing around the flowers in the garden.
Noun Phrase as the object of a verb
- I enjoy reading mystery novels.
- He hates eating vegetables.
- She loves watching romantic comedies.
- They dislike studying for exams.
- He is considering taking a vacation.
- They are considering adopting a dog.
- He has started taking yoga classes.
- She needs to buy a new phone.
- They enjoy hiking in the mountains.
- She has decided to quit her job.
Noun Phrase as the Subjective Complement
- The movie was a huge success.
- The cake tastes delicious.
- The weather seems nice today.
- The concert was a complete disaster.
- The painting looks beautiful in this light.
- The news was a shock to everyone.
- The cookies taste too sweet.
- The novel seems like a good read.
- The water feels cold.
- The car looks brand new after the wash.
Noun Phrase as the Objective Complement
- They named him the winner of the contest.
- The judge declared him guilty of the crime.
- We elected her president of the organization.
- The company appointed him as director of the department.
- They made him captain of the club.
- We elected him chairman of the board.
- She considers him a good friend.
Noun Phrases by Adding ‘and‘ between two Nouns
- Food and water are essential for human survival.
- The company is experiencing a shortage of employees and funds.
- Strength and endurance are required to complete this challenge.
- Light and shadow play key roles in photography.
- The museum houses a collection of art and artefacts from around the world.
- The relationship between teachers and students is important for academic success.
- The balance between work and play is crucial for a healthy lifestyle.
- Honesty and integrity are valued traits in any profession.
- The concert features a variety of music and dance performances.
- Health and wellness are becoming increasingly important in today’s society.
When Preposition sits between two Nouns to form a Noun Phrase
- The doctor gave a diagnosis of pneumonia to the patient.
- The politician has a reputation for honesty.
- The student received a grade of A on her paper.
- The company is looking for a candidate with experience in marketing.
- The author wrote a book on the topic of environmentalism.
- The musician composed a song about the theme of love.
- The teacher gave a lecture on the subject of history.
- The company is seeking candidates with knowledge of computer programming.
- The child has a fascination with the world of insects.
- The artist created a painting of the scenery of the countryside.
- The doctor prescribed treatment for the illness of the patient.
- The chef added a dash of spices for the flavour of the dish.
When Two Nouns are Placed Side by Side to Form a Noun Phrase
- The computer screen is cracked.
- His office desk is cluttered.
- The baby’s diaper is dirty.
- She wore a silk dress.
- The new car has leather seats.
- The kitchen table is made of oak.
- The dog’s leash is too short.
- The movie theatre is crowded.
- The beach sand is hot.
- The park bench is broken.
- The city streets are busy.
- The hotel room is spacious.
- The mountain trail is steep.
- The ice cream cone is melting.
- The flower garden is blooming.