Multi-word nouns and noun phrases

Noun Phrases

Grammar plus: noun phrases


1
A noun phrase gives information about a noun. We can combine nouns in the three ways shown in the table below.
Look at the different pairs of words in the table and match each one to the appropriate use:

EXAMPLE: l b)
  1. when we name a particular thing and it is a well-known combination
  2. when we say what things are made of
  3. when the second noun is produced by the first noun (often an animal)
  4. when we describe a container and its contents
  5. when we describe measurement
  6. when we describe a certain quantity of something
  7. when we talk about parts of inanimate objects
  8. when we indicate possession
  9. when the first noun is a user of the second noun
  10. when the nouns do not refer to a well-known/typical combination


noun + noun
  1. a 14-year exile, a five-mile run
  2. a firework display, mineral water
  3. a gold ring, a silk scarf
  4. a table leg, a car door

    noun + 's + noun
  5. America's birthday, Simon's brother
  6. a women's sauna, a children's pool
  7. goat's cheese, duck's eggs

    noun + preposition + noun
  8. a piece of bread, a pack of cards
  9. a symbol of wealth, a book about indoor plants
  10. a box of chocolates, a glass of wine
  1. When we describe measurement
    A 14-year exile , a five-mile run. (measurement)

  2. used for well known noun phrases. A firework display, mineral water. public performance.
    When it gets dark we'll UK let off/US set off (= light) the fireworks.
    What time do the fireworks start?

  3. indicate possession - Who or what does it belong to.

  4. When we name a particular thing and it is a well-known combination
    A gold ring , a silk scarf

  5. Describing what things are made of.
    A table leg, a car door.

  6. parts of inanimate (adj) objects
    Simon's Brother , John's biscuits

  7. Indicate possession
    A woman's sauna , a children's pool

  8. When the first is a user of the second
    plural or singular first noun?
    goat's cheese , duck's egg
    Second noun is produced from/by the first (Often animals)

  9. Describing measurement
    a piece of bread, a pack of cards, A symbol of wealth , a book about indoor plants
    When the nouns do not refer to a typical combination. We often use 'of'

  10. When we describe containers and contents - Often used to count uncountable verbs
2
Listen to these pairs of sentences. What difference does the position of the stress make to the meaning of the sentences?
  1. That's Simon's brother.
    That's Simon's brother.
  2. Do you have a book about indoor plants?
    Do you have a book about indoor plants?
  3. I'd like to buy my girlfriend a gold ring.
    I'd like to buy my girlfriend a gold ring.
  4. I love goat's cheese.
    I love goat's cheese.

Practice

Which of these sentences are correct?


  1. The hair of Susan needs cutting. (n)
    Susan's hair needs cutting (y)
  2. Could I have a spoonful of sugar in my coffee. (y)
  3. There is an excellent shoes shop in the high street. (n) shoe shop
  4. There was a very good documentary about Indian tigers on TV last night. (y)
  5. We need an 18-years old girl to play this part. (n) 18-year old
  6. Tom was involved in a minor (not so serious) car's accident at the weekend. (n) car accident (y)
  7. This car's top speed is over 250 km per hour.
  8. The car door (y)
  9. The car driver (y)
  10. Police divers searched along the river bed but they couldn't find the missing knife.


Make single sentences containing all the information



  1. There was a delay at the airport (three hours , Rome , technical reasons)
  2. He has a painting in his study (100 years old , oil , Williamson is the painter)
  3. She has been a teacher ( Maths, local secondary school , 25-years)
  4. We did a walk for charity ( 20 miles , the charity is for children, the weekend)
  5. There was a three-hour delay at Rome airport for technical reasons. His study = room
  6. He has a 100-year old Williamson oil painting in his study
  7. She has been a local secondary school Maths teacher for 25-years.
  8. Charity = Collecting money for a good cause
    We did a 20-mile walk at the weekend , for a children's charity. We did a 20-mile weekend walk for charity. (n)
  9. They had a meal ( three-course, a bottle of wine , under 35 pounds)
    They had a three-course meal with a bottle of wine for under 35 pounds.( less than)
  10. A girl was awarded a medal ( 13 years old , gold, she was brave, the mayor gave the award)
    A 13-year old girl was awarded a gold medal for her brave by the mayor.
    A 13-year old girl was awarded a gold medal by the mayor for her bravery. major - mayor

Four of the following sentences are incorrect. Find the mistakes and correct them.

  1. The hair of Susan needs cutting.
  2. Could I have a spoonful of sugar in my coffee?
  3. There is an excellent shoes shop in the high street.
  4. There was a very good documentary about Indian tigers on TV last night.
  5. We need an 18-years old girl to play this part.
  6. Tom was involved in a minor car's accident at the weekend.
  7. Police divers searched along the river bed but they couldn't find the missing knife.

Expand these sentences with the information in brackets.

EXAMPLE: They live in a house (£250,000; the house is in Scotland; an amazing view of the countryside)
They live in a £250,000 house in Scotland with an amazing view of the countryside.
  1. There was a delay at the airport, (three hours; Rome; technical reasons)
  2. He has a painting in his study. (100 years' old; oil; Williamson is the painter)
  3. She has been a teacher. (Maths; local secondary school; 25 years) i
  4. We did a walk for charity. (20 miles; the charity is for children; the weekend)
  5. They had a meal, (three-course; a bottle of wine; under £35)
  6. A girl was awarded a medal. (13 years old; gold; she was brave; the mayor gave the award)


Watch Out! containers

What's the difference between the phrases in italics?

  1. We need another wine glass for the table.
  2. Can I get you another glass of wine?