A noun phrase is a group of words that serves the same purpose as a noun. We have already learned that a noun can be the subject or object of a verb. It can also be the object of a preposition.
A noun phrase will always consist of a noun which is the headword. It may also contain adjectives, articles, determiners, quantifiers, prepositional phrases, ing phrases or infinitive phrases.
Examples of noun phrases are given below.
- A tall boy (This phrase consists of an article and an adjective besides the headword boy.)
- Any child (This noun phrase consists of the determiner any and the headword child)
- The monkey sitting on a branch (headword: monkey; ing phrase: sitting on a branch)
- Books to read (headword: books; infinitive phrase: to read)
Noun phrases worksheet for class 8
Underline the noun phrases in the following sentences and identify the headword.
1. The eruption of Old Faithful is a major attraction of Yellowstone Park.
2. His latest experiment was painting the walls black.
3. My former friend refused to lend me the money.
4. Please erase the notes in the margins.
5. The Supreme Court must judge each case with complete equity.
6. The birth of Christ ushered in the Christian era.
7. The skiers barely escaped the avalanche.
8. Winning the scholarship was a great event in the boy’s life.
9. My father bought a country house for his retirement.
10. The teacher evaluated the performance of each student.
Answers
1. The eruption of Old Faithful is a major attraction of Yellowstone Park. (headwords: eruption, attraction)
2. His latest experiment was painting the walls black. (headword: experiment)
3. My former friend refused to lend me the money. (headword: friend)
4. Please erase the notes in the margins. (headword: notes)
5. The Supreme Court must judge each case with complete equity. (headwords: court, case)
6. The birth of Christ ushered in the Christian era. (headwords: birth, era)
7. The skiers barely escaped the avalanche. (headwords: skiers, avalanche)
8. Winning the scholarship was a great event in the boy’s life. (headwords: scholarship, event)
9. My father bought a country house for his retirement. (headword: house)
