Phrase Definition and Types: Noun, Adjective, Adverb, Verb
Phrase Definition and Types
A phrase is a functional unit, i.e., one or more words that play a role within a sentence. There are several types of phrases, distinguished by their core element (nucleus):
- Noun Phrases (NP): Nucleus is a noun.
- Adjective Phrases (AdjP): Nucleus is an adjective.
- Adverbial Phrases (AdvP): Nucleus is an adverb.
- Verb Phrases (VP): Nucleus is a verb.
Noun Phrase Structure
Like every phrase, the NP is part of a larger unit, but it is also constituted by smaller units. Some phrases consist of a single element, but often they have several. In addition to the core, a noun phrase can have determiners (Det) and adjuncts (Adj).
- Determiners (Det): Articles, indefinites, demonstratives, possessives, numerals, interrogatives, exclamatives, and whose.
- Core (N): Noun, pronoun, substantivized segment, or noun clause.
- Adjuncts (Adj): Adjectives, adjective phrases, appositions, prepositional phrases, adverbial phrases with prepositions, participle clauses, and relative clauses.
The function of determining can be performed by articles, indefinites, demonstratives, possessives, numerals, interrogatives, exclamatives, and whose. The maximum number of determiners that can attach to the nucleus is four, but more often, zero or one precedes it.
The core function of a noun phrase is necessarily played by a noun or a pronoun. However, many kinds of words that are not inherently nouns (i.e., not listed as nouns in the dictionary) can function as nouns in speech and, therefore, play the core role of the noun phrase. These are substantivized words. In fact, any word (adjective, verb, conjunction, etc.) can be substantivized: Do you like blondes or brunettes?, I signed a promissory note of a thousand euros, In the School Board, they will put many buts, To err is human. As seen below, subordinate noun clauses also function like nouns and can therefore perform the functions of this category: It is unlikely that Angela will marry this year.
Adjunct is the role of the adjective itself, and therefore, of the adjectival phrase. However, other structures can play the same role: appositional NPs, prepositional phrases (traditionally known as complements of the noun), adverbial phrases with prepositions, participle clauses, and relative clauses. Some grammarians even believe that, by complementing the nucleus of a noun, any structure becomes adjectival, i.e., it is adjectivized.
Functions of the Noun Phrase
- Without preposition: Subject, Direct Object, Attribute, Adjunct, Vocative, Circumstantial Complement.
- With preposition: Adjunct, Adjective Complement, Adverb Complement, Direct Object, Indirect Object, Circumstantial Complement, Supplement, Agent Complement.
The Adjective
Morphologically: Almost all adjectives vary in gender and number. Their origin can be:
- Primitive: red
- Derived: reddish
- Compound: red-and-white
Degrees of Adjectives
- Positive: interesting
- Comparative: more interesting, less interesting, as interesting as
- Superlative:
- Absolute: interesting, very interesting
- Relative: the most interesting of the class
Stylistic Value of Adjectives
- Specifying Adjectives: Restrict and select the noun’s meaning. Example: Give me the red pen.
- Explanatory Adjectives: Simply express a quality of the noun, sometimes inherent to it (Epithets). Example: The majestic birds.