English Noun Phrases - Simple Explanations and Examples (2024)

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What is anoun phrase?

A noun phraseisa word or group of words in a sentence that acts like a noun.

For example:

You could say, "I met Joan."

In this sentence the word Joanis a noun.

You could replace Joanwith a group of words (a phrase) and say, "I metyoursister."

Your sisteris a phrase (a group of words without a finite verb),and itfunctions as a noun in the sentence.

So we call it anounphrase.

Additional noun phrases examples (the noun phrase is in bold):

• Allthe kids were sleeping.
• Theboy in the blue jeans says he'll do it.
• Hebought her a beautiful red dress.
• Mom baked tastychocolatecookies.
• Julia was thinking about her friends back home.
• Will you talk with these rude people?
• You are atrue hero.
• My dog is mybest friend.