Structure: Noun Phrases.

Content: Definition, Identification, and Functions.

Recall that a phrase is a group of words without a finite verb and is used as a single part of a speech or sentence.

A noun phrase is a phrase that has the noun as its headword and which performs any of the six functions of a noun – subject, object, complement, etc. 

Examples

1. The fat woman with a tiny voice took ill shortly after the exercise.
2. The new English teacher called John a lazy student.
3. She is a woman of virtue.

Other Types of Noun phrases.

• Gerundial Phrase.

This is a phrase introduced by a gerundial (verb ending in –ing)

Examples

1. The government has banned smoking in public.
2. Fixing that computer should not be a problem for him.

• Infinitive Phrase

This phrase is identified by an infinitive (i.e the basic form of verb preceded by to)

Examples:

1. It is an offence to smoke in public.
2. To fix that, the computer should not be a problem.

Functions of Noun Phrases

1. Subject of the verb

The young woman in a pink gown is watching us.

2. Object of the verb

The girl bought a big brown bag (direct)

3. Noun phrase as subject complement.

Our principal is a hard-working woman.

4. Noun phrase as object complement.

The infamous leader calls himself an evil genius.

5. Noun phrase as complement of preposition

The man died after a prolonged illness.

6. Noun in apposition

Roberts’s fiancée hails from Ondo, a town in the west of Nigeria.

EVALUATION

State the grammatical functions of nouns or noun equivalents with examples.

• Topic: Comprehension: Peptic Ulcer, 

Content: Review

This passage deals with peptic ulcers, which occur when parts of the stomach lining and the duodenum are attacked by protein–digesting enzymes, such as pepsin and hydrochloric acid. The acid of these enzymes gives rise to internal bleeding and pain which can only be relieved by taking food in small quantities at frequent intervals.

EVALUATION

Read the passage again and answer the questions that accompany it (See Effective English,Pg 48)

• Vocabulary Development: Words Associated with Health.

Contract – To get a disease or to be infected.

A syndrome – A pattern of illness that go together.

Chronic – Long-lasting disease or illness.

Convalescence – A resting period after recovery from an illness.

Transfusion(Blood)  – This is giving a person blood that has been supplied by someone else.

Viruses – Tiny organisms, smaller than bacteria which cause disease.

Contagious – Spread by having contact with a patient suffering it (disease).

Coma – State of unconsciousness.

Anesthesia – This is given when an operation is about to be carried out.

Intravenous – Given through the vein.

Debilitating – Weakening.

Relapse – Fall back into the illness after recovery.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVIEW

1. Explain the duties of the following in a hospital setting;

a pathologist, a dermatologist, an obstetrician, a gynecologist, a physician.

2. What is the function of each underlined noun phrase in the sentences below:

• Mr. Kola needed to see the principal
• To err is human.
• He remembered to clean his shoes.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT 

SECTION A

1. I saw my car __ from the park:  A. been driven B. driving C. being driven
2. I saw ten naira note __ ta my feet A. laying B. lying C.lieing
3. It is too expensive; we had better __ A. not buying B. not bought itC. not buying it
4. Oil is a(n) __resourceA. finishedB. infinite C. finite
5. He did apply for the job?      A. isn’t itB. didn’t heC. hadn’t he