Module 1

Module 1: Basic Elements 基本元素

Module 2: Formation of Words

2.3 Nouns

Day 3: Noun phrases 名詞短語

1. What is a Noun Phrase?

A Noun Phrase is a group of words that act together as if they were a simple noun. 名詞短句就是一組可以跟名詞的作用一樣的字.

Noun + Modifiers (修飾語)→ Noun Phrase

In a noun phrase, the noun is the heart of the phrase, whereas everything else in the component illustrates or recognizes the noun in some way

在一句名詞短語中, 名詞是整個短語的中心, 而其他成份則有解釋或修飾的作用.

e.g. “serious fault in operation”ß Noun Phrase

“fault”ß head noun

“serious”ßmodifier

“in operation”ßmodifier

2. Heads of Noun Phrases

The Head of a Noun Phrase could be a: 在名詞短語中的中心可以是以下的名詞:

1. Proper Noun 專有名詞

2. Common Noun普通名詞

3. Pronoun 代名詞

4. Numeral 數字

2.1 Proper Nouns專有名詞 : 指人或地方的名稱

Recap: Proper Nouns are nouns that refer to the names of people and places.

e.g.

John and May

are my classmates.

2.2 Common Nouns普通名詞:專有名詞以外的名詞

Recap: We call nouns other than proper nouns common nouns, e.g. happiness, boy

e.g.

The happy children

are playing in the garden.

2.3 Pronouns 代名詞: 用來替代名詞的名詞

Recap: Pronouns like "he," "which," "none," and "you" are used to replace a noun, so as to reduce the bulkiness of the sentence.

e.g.

Those who arrived late

were scolded by the teacher.

[Note: In sentences where the Head of NP is a pronoun, it will have no determiners or adjectives]

2.4 Numerals 數目名詞: 用來表示數量或頻率的

Recap: A numeral is a word, functioning most typically as an adjective or pronoun, that expresses a quantity or frequency.

e.g.

The first one to complete the task

was Peter.

3. Modifiers修飾語

Modifiers occur with nouns to form Noun Phrases. They help to give an identity to the Head Noun by describing it.

修飾語跟名詞一起便組成了名詞短句. 愈多修飾語,愈可幫人準確辨認名詞.

Modifiers can be: 修飾語可以是…

1. 1. Adjectives 形容詞

2. 2. Articles 冠詞

3. 3. Demonstratives 指示詞

4. 4. Quantities 數量詞

5. 5. Possessive Pronouns 擁有代名詞

6. 6. Phrases that give more information about the Head Noun 對主名詞作修飾的短語

Modifiers	Examples
1. Adjectives	A brisk walker An interesting story The charming young lady A gorgeous time
2. Article	The woman in the courtyard A black coat An American driver
3. Demonstrative	This pen These days That naughty cat Those children
4. Quantities	Some members of the Society Many calls Few students Little time
5. Possessive Pronouns	The children’s wants Her handbag My mother’s advice Peter’s home
6.Phrases that give further information	a man in the red car the woman with the rucksack on her back the boy under the tree the old man at the bus stop