English grammar: Noun phrases

What this grammar point covers

A noun phrase is a group of words in English that acts like a noun. It usually has a noun and words that describe or give more information about the noun.

When to use it

Use noun phrases to talk about people, places, things, or ideas with more detail. Noun phrases can be the subject or object in a sentence.

Key forms

• article + noun (the book)
• adjective + noun (big house)
• article + adjective + noun (a beautiful garden)
• possessive + noun (my friend)
• noun + noun (chicken soup)

Examples

Tips

• Remember, a noun phrase can be just a noun or a noun with more words.
• Adjectives usually come before the noun in English.
• Don't forget to use 'a', 'an', or 'the' when needed.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some noun phrases can have more than one adjective. The order of adjectives is important in English.
• Sometimes, a noun phrase can include a prepositional phrase (for example: 'the book on the table').