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terms are called noun phrases. Moreover, in this example, it should also be noted that the adjectives
like black or tender which are placed before the nouns have the status of just modifiers of the noun. As
these adjectives are not having central determinant position in the sentence, the phrase, with which
it is attached acquires its name by noun, which has the main position. Hence, the phrase is called a
noun phrase.

Remember
Noun phrases act as both subjects and objects of verbs.

My best friend from Mumbai is coming to meet me. (subject)
l
I wish them a great success. (object)
l

Test Yourself

I. In the sentences given below, underline the noun phrases.

1. The teacher wanted many students.
2. The clever magician made the mice disappear.

3. My brother hates picking up his scattered toys.
4. The dogs love eggs in milk.

5. I prefer English grammar books.

6. I don’t want you to jump over that wall.
7. Have you ever tried eating ice cream with coconut paste?

8. The Times from the UK is my favourite newspaper.

Adjective Phrase

An adjective phrase is a group of words that does the work of an adjective. In an adjective phrase,
there isn’t any noun. Therefore, the adjective is the head (main) word in the phrase.

l They had a beautiful house. (noun phrase)
l The house is very beautiful. (adjective phrase)

In the first sentence, beautiful is an adjective and a beautiful house is a noun phrase. In the second
sentence, the adjective beautiful is replaced by the group of words, very beautiful without changing
the meaning of the sentence. There is no noun in very beautiful, and the adjective beautiful is the
head word. Thus, it is an adjective phrase.

Here are some examples of adjectives and adjective phrases.

Adjective Adjective phrase
a silver dish a dish made of silver
a brown dog a dog with brown colour

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