The Noun Phrase

Lesson 1
 The NOUN PHRASE (NP) is a syntactic unit with a
structure that can range from very simple to very
The Noun Phrase complex (Biber et al., 1999; Payne, 2011). Also, it can
have several different functions in the sentence. The
underlined chunks in the sentences below illustrate the
complexity continuum.

He slunk away.

The man slunk away.

The old man slunk away.

The old man in brown slunk away.

The old man in brown that was sitting at the front slunk
away.

The old man in brown that was sitting at the front when
I was teaching slunk away.
Obligatory and Optional Obligatory Elements:

Elements in a Noun The HEAD

Phrase ●
●
Noun
Noun Equivalent
○ PRONOUNS

Optional Elements

MODIFIERS

● PRE-MODIFIERS
● POST-MODIFIERS
Nouns They are the largest category in terms of number of
dictionary entries.

They are used for the purpose of identification.

They can be defined notionally (i.e. semantically).

They can also be defined in terms of grammar (i.e. according

to their morphological and syntactic behaviour).

Examples of NOUNS

chair, flower, pencil, Tuesday, Spain, advice, army freedom,

nature
Classification ● Countable nouns
● Uncountable nouns
● Proper nouns
● Collective nouns
Countable Nouns They have both singular and plural forms.

Those nouns that are preceded by “a / an” are always

countable and are always singular.
Characteristics of countable nouns:
A singular countable noun is usually preceded by a, an,
1. We can use a/an as determiners (a pen, the or some other determiner.
an umbrella)
2. They have a plural form and can be
used in the question how many.
3. We can use a numeral as a determiner: an apple three apples
(one tree, two trees, etc.)
a book some books

the cup the cups

my car our cars

Uncountable Nouns There are two types of uncountable nouns: mass nouns (they
cannot be easily counted or divided) and abstract nouns (they
refer to general concepts and ideas).

Characteristics of uncountable nouns:

1. We do not normally use a/an as

determiners
Ø Love is important in life.
2. They do not normally have a plural form;
they can be used in the question how much.
3. We cannot use a numeral as a determiner.
 Mass Nouns
Category Nouns Example sentence

Liquids water, wine, tea I’d like some tea

Food flour, butter, bread I need little flour to make a cake.

Natural elements rain, snow, heat We haven’t had much rain or snow this month.

Material wood, paper, gold They use a lot of wood for construction.

Games / Sports tennis, baseball, football I like playing tennis.

Diseases mumps, measles, arthritis, flu She suffers from arthritis.

Subjects of study physics, medicine, history Betty studies medicine.

Languages French, Italian, German She speaks French.

Miscellaneous items luggage, money, vocabulary, We should carry some better equipment.
equipment, furniture, blood, advice,
news, information
 Abstract Nouns

NOUNS SENTENCE EXAMPLES

happiness, anger, freedom, love, beauty, friendship, I wish you all the happiness you so deserve.
comfort, peace, warmth, strength These boots provide warmth and comfort in the
coldest temperatures.

SOME OTHER COMMON MASS AND ABSTRACT NOUNS ARE:

rubbish advice dirt information machinery sunlight anger

education knowledge money thunder behaviour fun laughter
moonlight transport length furniture leisure news underwear
china harm lightning permission violence courage housework
luck photography weather luggage progress happiness poetry
 Uncountable Countable

Nouns with light a light

truth a truth
dual class membership hair a hair

education an education

crime a crime

sound a sound
Some nouns are uncountable when we talk
about the abstract concept, but they are beauty a beauty
countable when we talk about one specific or iron an iron
individual instance of a state, quality or
understanding an understanding
concept.
strength strengths
 Nouns with dual class membership
UNCOUNTABLE USE
● Crime has increased in our city in the last few years.
● She had beauty in her youth.
● Light travels faster than sound.
● We’ll never learn the truth.
● They have received kindness, thoughts and good wishes
from total strangers.
● I appreciate your kindness and understanding.
● Swimming is a sport which requires strength and
endurance.
COUNTABLE USE
● More and more crimes happen every year.
● She was a beauty in her youth.
● There are bright lights and harsh sounds.
● I’ve told him a few truths about himself.
● It would be a “cruel kindness” to uphold the
country court order.
● After lengthy discussions, both sides in the
negotiation reached an understanding.
● Your plan has both strengths and weaknesses.
 wood

Nouns with paper

dual class membership iron

cloth

rock

Some nouns which are uncountable when we

talk about the material become countable
when we refer to a specific thing that has a
particular meaning.
 Nouns with dual class membership

UNCOUNTABLE USE COUNTABLE USE

● Wood burns more easily than coal. ● We got lost in a wood.

● How much paper do you need to wrap up the ● She bought the paper last Sunday.
present? ● There is no way to tell you how old a rock is
● Rock is defined as the inorganic mineral material merely by looking at its minerals.
covering the earth’s surface.
 Uncountable Countable

Nouns with wine an excellent wine

dual class membership cheese a strong cheese

fruit a very sweet fruit

melon a water melon

Many substances, drinks and food stuffs are

uncountable when they are thought of as a
mass, but can be countable when they refer
to a unit, a piece of specimen or a particular
variety. In informal English, drinks and some
types of food which are normally
uncountable can be counted, especially when
we are making an order in a café or
 Nouns with dual class membership
UNCOUNTABLE USE
● We usually drink wine for dinner.
● Would you like some cheese for breakfast?
● Would you like some fruit for dessert?
● I rarely drink beer.
● I’m going to have some tea after lunch.
● Sarah usually has a little coffee after dinner.
● They don’t eat chicken very often.
COUNTABLE USE
● She brought an excellent wine for dinner.
● I had never tasted such a strong cheese before.
● Some fruits from tropical areas are very expensive in
the U.S.
● Could you give me a beer?
● Two teas, please.
● Sarah usually has three coffees a day.
● That farmer doesn’t raise chickens.
 Nouns with
clothing a garment
dual class membership
laughter a laugh

luggage a case, a bag

poetry a poem
Some mass nouns cannot be used to refer to
a single item, so a different word must be money a coin, a note

used. work a job

 Nouns with a cow / beef

dual class membership a deer / venison

a pig / pork

a sheep / mutton

Nouns for animals are count nouns; nouns for

meat are mass nouns