Basic structure of Phrase

II. SYNTAX
[Premodifier(s)] + HEAD + [Postmodifier(s)]
- PHRASES -
Nguyen Ngoc Nhat Minh, UFLS-UD, 2019

■ The Head is the most important part of a phrase,

and defines the syntactic category of the phrase.
For example
➢ Noun phrase (NP) => Head is a noun. E.g. that fabulous
dress
➢ Adj phrase (Adj.P) => Head is an adj. E.g. extremely useful
➢ Adv phrase (Adv.P) => Head is an adv. E.g. pretty quickly.
➢ Preposition phrase (PP) => Head is a prep. E.g. for the
children
➢ Verb phrase (VP) => Head is a verb. E.g. have been
cleaning
Noun phrase (NP)
■ Pre-modifiers can include Determiner, Adjective,
and/or Noun (not the Head)
■ Post-modifiers can be Preposition, Adjective,
Adverb, Finite clause, or Non-finite clause
■ More detail (see textbook)
FINITE clause vs. NON-FINITE clause Types of Non-finite clause
■ Finite clause: Verb is marked for tense
1. To – Infinitive & Bare infinitive
Example: The inspector is standing there.
■ Non-finite clause: Verb is NOT marked for tense. A
2. Gerund (V-ing / present participle)
non-finite clause might or might not have a subject. 3. Past participle
Example: (1) The inspector standing there is mainly
responsible for this case.
(2) Find the books placed on the top shelf.
More detail (see textbook)

Object: Direct (Od) vs. Indirect (Oi)

Functions of a NP

■ Subject
■ Object*
■ Complement*
1. Direct object: the one which receives the action
■ Adverb
2. Indirect object: the one TO/FOR which the action was
done
 Complement Practice: Find out NPs and identify their functions

■ Subject Complement (Cs): the part (which is usually a

noun, an adjective, … or even a clause) that follows a 1. The woman wearing a plastic nose is our history professor.
linking verb and defines/characterizes the Subject.
E.g. That mountain range is the most majestic in the
region.
■ Object Complement (Co): the part (which is usually a 2. Opinions expressed here are not those of the editors.
noun, an adjective , … or even a clause) that follows and
modifies/characterizes the (direct) Object.
E.g. We can make him the CEO of the company this year.

Adjective Phrase Adverb Phrase

■ Structure: ■ Structure (similar to Adjective.Ph):
o Head: adjective (simple, comparative, or superlative) o Head: adverb (simple, comparative, or superlative)
o Premodifiers: Adverb o Premodifiers: Adverb
o Postmodifiers: Adverb Preposition, Finite clause, Non-finite o Postmodifiers: Adverb Preposition, Finite clause, Non-finite
clause clause

■ Function: (1) modifier of NP; (2) Complement (Cs, Co) ■ Function: Adverbial (A)

■ More detail (see textbook) ■ More detail (see textbook)

 Practice: Identify types of the underlined phrases, analyse
Practice: Find out Adj.Ps and identify their functions them, and indicate their functions in the following sentences.
1. They are only concerned about profits.
1. That is a bit premature, isn’t it?
2. For the holiday, they chose a small resort on the north coast.

3. Her parents were downstairs, and she could hear a little of

2. I found it rather tight. what they were saying.

4. You’ll be shown how to handle your huskies by an

3. I’d be quite keen to try anything like that really. experienced guide.