5

THE NOUN PHRASE

NP
Det +N NP Common Noun
Proper Noun Concrete Noun Abstract Noun Pronoun
NP 2
NP

PRONOUNS
(Pro) ( nouns- equivalent )
things, objects, places, concepts, events, qualities (Allen, 1995:5)

(pronouns ) 7
1. Personal Pronoun ( ) I, you, we, he , she ,it, they
2. Possessive Pronoun ( ) mine, yours, his, hers, its,
theirs, ours
3. Reflexive Pronouns ( ) - self myself,
yourself, ourselves
4. Definite Pronoun ( Demonstrative Pronouns ) this,
that, these, those, one, such, the same
5. Indefinite Pronoun ( ) all, some, any, somebody,
something, someone
6. Interrogative Pronoun ( ) Who, Which, What
7. Relative Pronoun ( ) who, which, that

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1. Personal Pronouns ()
2 3
( 5.1 5.2)
(1) He chased him.
(2) She bought her a blouse.
(1) (2) he / she him / her Pronoun Form
he / she Subject him /
her Object Personal Pronoun
Function Form
5.1 Pronoun System

Personal Pronoun

Singular
Form
Function
I
Subject
me
Object

Plural
Form
Function
We
Subject
us
Object

The second person

You
you

Subject
Object

You
you

Subject
Object

The third person

She
her
He
him
It
it

Subject
Object
Subject
Object
Subject
Object

They
them

Subject
Object

The first person

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5.2
Subject
Form
I
we
you
he
she
it
they

Object Form
me
us
you
him
her
it
them

Possessive Form
Adjective
Pronoun
my
mine
our
ours
your
yours
his
his
her
hers
its
its
their
theirs

Reflexive
Pronoun
myself
ourselves
yourself
himself
herself
itself
themselves

5.1 5.2
Pronoun
(3a) I hit her.
(3b) She hits me.
(3c) We smiled at him.
(3d) He stared at us.

(4a) I saw a boy at school. He seemed to recognize me.

He a boy me I
(4b) My friend and her sister like to shop. They go shopping whenever they can.
they My friend her brother
Personal Pronouns

1.1 Personal Pronoun (preposition)

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(5a) Please tell him what you want. ( tell)
(5b) Mr. Wilson talked with him about the project. ( with)
1.2 verb to be

(6a) It was she who came here yesterday. ( she )
(6b) It was her whom you met at the party last night.
( her you met)

Personal Pronoun Noun

she , he, them it
Pronoun Noun Noun
Pronoun Singular Noun Plural Noun
(7) A dog chased that girl.
It chased her.
(8)

Girls hate boys.

They hate them.

(8) Tree Diagram

S
NP
N
Aux
Tense
Girls (pres)

VP
Vgp
[trans]

NP
V

Pro

hate

him

Diagram 5.1 Sentence parser with personal pronoun

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2. Possessive Pronouns ()

mine, ours, yours, his, hers, its, theirs
(9a) The beautiful present is mine.
(9b) That is yours.
(9c) Yours is on the table.
(9d) Theirs will be done next week.
(9e) Ours is the red one at the corner.
(9f) This book is mine.
(9g) Yours is on the table.
possessive pronouns possessive adjectives

(10a) This is my book.
(my possessive adjective book)
(10b) This book is mine.
(mine possessive pronoun complement
is)
(9g) Tree Diagram

S
NP
Pro

VP
Vgp
[intens]

Aux
Tense
Yours (pres)

PP
P
V
is

on

NP
Det

the

table

Diagram 5.2 Sentence parser with possessive pronoun

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3. Reflexive Pronouns ()
-self form of pronoun myself. yourself, yourselves,
himself, herself, ourselves. themselves, itself
3.1
(object)
(11a) She herself doesn't think she'll get the job.
(11b) The film itself wasn't very good but I like the music.
(11c) I spoke to Mr.Wilson himself.
3.2
(12a) They blamed themselves for the accident. (
blamed)
(12b) He is not himself today. ( is)
(12c) She doesn't want him to pay for her. She'll pay for herself.
(12d) Susan had a good trip. She enjoyed herself very much.
(12e) Ken loves himself.
(12f) The children hurt themselves.
wash / shave / dress myself
(12e) Tree Diagram

S
NP
N
Aux
Tense
Ken (pres)

VP
Vgp
[trans]

NP
Pro
V

loves

himself

Diagram 5.3 Sentence parser with reflexive pronoun

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3.3
(13a) Who repaired your car for you? Nobody, I repaired it myself.
(13b) She does it herself.
(13b) Tree structure

S
NP
N

Vgp
[trans]
Aux
Tense

She

VP
NP
Pro

(pres)

NP
Pro

V
does it

himself

Diagram 5.4 Sentence parser with reflexive pronoun

By myself on my own
on (my/your/his/ her/ its/ our/their) own by
(myself/yourself (singular) / himself/ herself/ itself/ ourselves/ yourselves (plural) /
themselves)
(14a) I live on my own / by myself.
(14b) Did you go on holiday on your own / by yourself?
(14c) Children are not allowed to drive on their own / by themselves.
4. Definite Pronouns Demonstrative Pronouns ()
this, that,
these, those, one, ones, such, the same, the former, the latter
(15a) That is incredible! ()
(15b) She will never forgot this. ( )

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(15c) Such is my belief. ()
(15d) This is really pretty.
(15e) That is very ugly.
(15d) Tree Diagram

S
NP
Pro

VP
Vgp
[intens]

Aux
Tense
This (pres)

AP
Adj

AdvP
deg

is

really

pretty

Diagram 5.5 Sentence parser with demonstrative pronoun

5. Indefinite Pronouns ()
5.3
5.3 Indefinite Pronouns
everyone
someone
anyone
no one
more
little

everybody
somebody
anybody
nobody
most
several

everything
all
anything
nothing
enough
more

some
any
either
none
few
much

each
many
neither
one
fewer
less

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(16a) Everybody loves somebody.
(16b) Is there anyone here by the name of Smith?
(16c) One should always look both ways before crossing the street.
(16d) Nobody will believe him.
(16e) Little is expected.
(16f) Some like it hot
We, you, they personal pronoun indefinite
pronoun
(17a) We should prepare ourselves to deal with any emergency.
(We )
(17b) You sometimes don't know what to say in such a situation.
(You )
(16f) Tree Diagram

S
NP
Pro

Vgp
[complex]
Aux
V
Tense
Some (pres)
like

VP
NP
Pro

AP
Adj

it

hot

Diagram 5.6 Sentence parser with indefinite pronoun

6. Interrogative Pronouns ()
Interrogative

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Pronouns Who, Whom, What, Which Whoever, Whomever, Whatever,
Whichever
(18a) Who want to see the dentist first? (who )
(18b) Whom do you think we should invite? ( whom )
(18c) To whom do to wish to speak ? (whom )
(18d) What did she say? (what say)
(18e) Which is your cat? (which )
(18f) Which of these languages do you speak fluently? (which
speak)
(18g) Who is coming to dinner? (who )

(19) What sport do you like?

What (19) Interrogative Pronouns Noun
(What + sport) Determiners
Pre-modifiers
(18g) Tree Diagram

S
NP
Pro

VP
Vgp
[intrans]

PP
P

Aux
V
Tense prog
Who (pres) is coming to

NP
N
dinner

Diagram 5.7 Sentence parser with interrogative pronoun

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which what interrogative adjective who, whom ,
which relative pronoun
7. Relative Pronouns ()

who, whom, which whose ,what, that , indefinite relative pronouns

whoever, whomever, whichever, whatever
(20a) Children who (that) play with fire are in great danger of harm.
(20b) The book that she wrote was the best-seller
(20c) He's the man whose car was stolen last week.
(20d) She will tell you what you need to know.
(20e) The coach will select whomever he pleases.
(20f) Whoever cross this line will win the race.
(20g) You may eat whatever you like at this restaurant.
( Tree diagram Relative Clause)

PRE-MODIFIERS
Noun
Noun
Pre-modifiers (Kies, 2002:2)
Noun
1. Determiners
1 Determiners Articles (a,
an, the) Determiners
1.1 Demonstratives Determiner
Noun this, that,
these, those
(21) That girl is very beautiful.

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Tree Diagram

S
NP
Det

VP
N

Vgp
[intens]

Aux
Tense
girl (pres)

That

AP
Adj

AdvP
deg

is

very

beautiful

Diagram 5.8 Demonstrative determiner pre-modifying NP

1.2 Quantifiers some, any, each, every,
no
(22a) Some people do like those movies.
(22b) Every train comes from Chiangmai.
(22a) Tree Diagram

S
NP
Det

Some

VP
N

Vgp
[trans]
Aux
V
Tense
people (pres) do like

NP
Det

those

Diagram 5.9 Quantifier determiner pre-modifying NP

movies

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1.3 Possessives

my, your, her, his, its, our, their
(23) They loved their house.
Tree Diagram

S
NP
Pro

VP
Vgp
[trans]

Aux
Tense
They (past)

NP
Det

their

house

V
loved

Diagram 5.10 Possessive determiner pre-modifying NP

1.4 Wh determiners Determiner
whose, what, which
(24a) Whose book is this?
(24b) What sport do you like?
(24a) Tree structure

S
NP

VP

Det

Whose

book

Vgp
[intens]
Aux
V
Tense
(pres)
is

Diagram 5.11 Wh-determiner pre-modifying NP

NP
Pro

this

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1.5 Genitive
Possessives Determiners Genitive Apostrophe ( ) s

(25a) This boys clothes are very dirty.

(25b) Johns baby is crying.
NP Apostrophe ( ) s Ns Det + Ns
Possessive Phrase (Poss) Apostrophe
( ) s Determiner Tree
Diagram Determiner
(25) Tree Diagram

S
NP
Det
Poss

VP
N

NP
Det
This

N
boy s

clothes

Vgp
[intens]
Aux
V
Tense
(pres)

AP
AdvP
deg

are very

Diagram 5.12 Genitive determiner pre-modifying NP

Adj

dirty

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S
NP
Det
Poss

NP
N
Kate s

VP
Vgp
[intrans]
Aux

baby

Tense

prog

(pres)

is

crying

Diagram 5.13 Genitive determiner pre-modifying NP

2. Adjective Phrases
Pre-modifiers Adjective Phrase NP
Det + N, Noun Pronoun Adjective Phrase
Noun NP
(26a) The dog
chased a girl.
(26b) The fat dog chased a girl.
(26b) Adjective Pre-modifier
NP Function NP
(26) NP: the dog the fat dog Subject
Adjective Phrase
NP Tree Diagram
Tree Diagram

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S
NP
Det AP N
Adj

VP
Vgp
[trans]

Aux
Tense
The fat dog (past)

NP
Det

girl

V
chased

Diagram 5.14 AP pre-modifying NP

Diagram 5.13 Adjective: fat
Noun: dog
Det + N, deg +
Adv Adj + N Diagram 5.14 Adjective: fat Determiners
Noun ( the fat dog) Determiner Noun
Diagram 5.14 NP NP
the + fat + dog NP Subject
(Single Unit) the fat
dog Single Unit Pronoun
(27) The dog
The fat dog
chased a girl.
It

(27) Pronoun: it NP
the fat dog Single Unit NP
Tree Diagram Diagram 5.14
(Immediate Constituent) AP NP NP
Single Unit

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X-bar (X-bar Theory
N) X-bar 1
NP Noun NP
Tree Diagram

S
NP
Det

VP
N

AP
Adj
The fat

Vgp
[trans]

Aux
Tense
dog (past)

NP
Det

girl

V
chased

Diagram 5.15 X-bar theory parsing NP

Diagram 5.15 NP Adjective 1
Adjective Noun
(28) The fat brown dog chased a girl.
the fat brown dog Single Unit Pronoun
(27)
(28) Tree Diagram

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S
NP
Det

VP
N

AP
Adj

N'

Vgp
[trans]

AP
N Aux
Adj
Tense
The fat brown dog (past)

NP
Det

girl

V
chased

Diagram 5.16 AP pre-modifying NP

Rules to remember
AP
(AdvP) + Adj
Function: 1. sC
2. oC
e.g. 1. The dog is (quite disgustingly) fat.
2. John made Kate angry.
or
Function: Pre-modifier within NP
e.g. The fat brown dog chased a girl.

PRACTICE 5.1 Draw a tree diagram for the following and analyze in terms of function
1. The red hen ate her corn.
2. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.
3. Sues dog seems very happy.
4. The time has come for a huge celebration.
5. This hateful child has given my best coat to Jenny.

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3. Nouns
Determiners Adjective Phrase Noun Pre
modifiers
(29) I bought a new computer game.
Noun Pre-modifier computer Noun
game (N + N) Single Unit

(30) *I bought a computer new game
Tree Diagram (29)

S
NP

VP
Vgp
[trans]

Pro
Aux
Tense
I

(past)

NP
Det
V

bought

N
AP
Adj

N
N

a new computer

N
game

Diagram 5.17 Noun pre-modifying NP

PRACTICE 5.2 Draw tree for the following and analyze in terms of function.
1. The electricity board sent her a nasty letter.
2. This is a tree diagram.
3. My younger sister might become a taxi driver.
4. He has a stone table.
5. My wood box is black.

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POST-MODIFIERS
Pre-modifier
Noun Modifier Post
modifiers 2 Prepositional Phrase (PP)
Relative Clause
1. Prepositional Phrase (PP)
PP PP Adverbial Direct Object
PP Post-modifier (Eiselt &
Holbrook, 1998: 3)
(31) The dog chased the cat with three legs.
Function:
S
P
dO
Adj. AP Pre
modifier PP Post-modifier (31) PP: with three
legs the cat NP Node NP
Post-modifier the cat (N) + with three leg (PP) Single Unit
Pronoun
(32) The dog chased it.
Function:
S
P
dO
(22) Pronoun: it (the cat with
three legs) Single Unit dO

(33) The dog chased the cat up the tree.

Function:
S
P
dO
A

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(33) Pronoun the cat
dO PP: up the tree Adverbial the cat up the tree
Single Unit the cat Form NP up the tree Form PP
(31) Tree Diagram (31)

S
NP
Det

VP
N

Vgp
[trans]
Aux
Tense

The

dog (past)

NP
Det
V

N
N

PP
P

chased

the

cat with

Diagram 5.18 PP post-modifying NP

Rules to remember
PP
P + (NP)
Function:
1. A, 2. iO, 3. sC, 4. oC, 5. pO
e.g. 1. Sally looked up.
Sally looked up the chimney.
2. Lucy gave a jumper to Sandra.
3. Gorge is in the garden.
4. Carol put the car in the garage.
5. The children glance at the photograph.
or
Function: Post-modifier within NP
e.g. The dog chased the cat with three legs.

NP
AP
Adj
three

N
legs

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PRACTICE 5.3 Draw a tree diagram for each of the followings showing the difference
between a PP post-modifying an NP and a PP functioning as adverbial.
1. Life is a bowl of cherries.
2. The man with the wooden leg walks slowly.
3. The old woman hit the man with the wooden leg.
4. The dog bit the man on the nose.
5. The woman on the bus was telling me the story of her life.
2. Relative Clause
Post-modifying Relative Clause Adjective Clause (Jacobs,
1995:304) Subordination Relative
Pronoun who, which, that
(34) The cat which is lying on the mat loves dog.
(35) The girl who was chased by the dog was crying.
(36) He kicked a can that was lying in the road.
(37) I like the table which is made of stone.
(34-37) Main Clause (
S1) Subordinate Clause ( S2) Relative Pronoun which, who,
that which , that Noun who
Noun
Noun Relative Clause NP
Subject Pronoun
(38)

The cat which is lying on the mat loves dog.

* It
which is lying on the mat loves dog.

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(38) Tree Diagram

S1
NP
Det

VP
N

Vgp
[trans]

S2
NP
Pro

VP
Vgp
[prep]
Aux
tense prog

Aux
Tense

PP
P
V

NP
V

NP
Det N

The cat which (pres) is lying on the mat (pres)

loves dogs

Diagram 5.19 Relative clause post-modifying NP

Diagram 5.19 Relative Clause

(Triangle Notation) Diagram

S1
NP
Det

VP
N

S2

Vgp
[trans]
Aux
V
Tense

The cat which is lying on the mat (pres)

loves

NP
N

dog

Diagram 5.20 Relative clause post-modifying NP by a triangle notation

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Rules to remember
NP
(pre-modifiers) + HEAD + (post-modifiers)
Pre-modifiers
Det e.g a game
AP e.g. a new game
N
e.g. a new computer game
Post-modifiers PP e.g. the cat with three legs.
Rel clause e.g. the cat which is lying on the mat.

PRACTICE 5.4
Part 1 Using triangle notation, draw tree diagrams for the following sentences.
1. The face that launched a thousand ships was beautiful.
2. The spy who loved me was gone.
3. She collected the letters that were lying on the table.
4. The typist who was lazy copied the letter on her pad.
5. The lame dog that is following me might be lost.
Part 2 Analyze the following in term of form.
1. It was Leonardo who drew that sketch.
2. The book which she gave me is dog-eared.
3. I know a bank where the wild thyme grows.
4. We visited the hall that Tasha had played in.
5. The man who teaches English is my teacher.