Page 55 - English Grammar - 7

In the above sentences, the addition of modifiers transform the status of nouns in the
sentences. The words goat and leaves in the first sentence are common nouns which get
changed into the black goat and all the tender leaves after the addition of the modifiers.

As these are made out of nouns, these 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.

R
Rememberemember
Noun phrases act as both subjects and objects of verbs. For example:
• My best friend from Mumbai is coming to meet me. (subject)
• I wish them a great success. (object)

Practice Time 1

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.

Let’s Learn Adjective Phrase

phrase, there isn’t any noun. Therefore, the adjective is the head (main) word in the phrase.
For example:

They had a beautiful house. (noun phrase)
O
The house is very beautiful. (adjective phrase)
O
In the first sentence, beautiful is an adjective and a beautiful house is a noun phrase. In the
An adjective phrase is a group of words that does the work of an adjective. In an adjective Phrases
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.
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