Noun Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

Above: Some types of noun phrases with examples.

A noun phrase 

is a phrase 

which as a noun or an indefinite noun as its head word.

Some examples of phrasal verbs.

A phrasal verb

is a verb with

a particle and/or a preposition

forming a single

semantic unit. 

- Noun Phrases:

A noun phrase or nominal phrase is a phrase which has a noun or indefinite pronoun as a head word, or which performs the same grammatical function as such a phrase. Remember: in English, a phrase is not the same that a sentence (see http://essengl.blogspot.com.br/search/label/5%20-%20Language%20Idiom%20Sentence%20and%20Phrase). Noun phrases are the most frequently occurring phrase type. 

Noun phrases are a very common cross-linguistically. "Cross-linguistically" is term used to refer to linguistic interferences and cross meanings. It refers to speakers and writers applying knowledge from their native language to another language. It occurs, for example, when someone does not have a native-level command of a language, as when translating into a second language. 

In the most recent theories of English grammar, noun phrases with determiners are analyzed as having the determiner rather than the noun as their head. In this case, they are also called "determiner phrases". In the examples bellow, the noun phrases are underlined and the head noun are in blue. 

• The election year politics are very important to some people.
• Almost every animal has a specific behavior.

Sometimes, noun phrases are identified by the possibility of pronoun substitution.

• They love you.
• The last weekend I passed in that city was wonderful. 

- Phrasal Verbs:

As you can see in the illustration above, the term "phrasal verb" is applied to at least two words: a verb and a particle. Sometimes there are also a preposition. In both the cases, the two or three words forms a single semantic unit that cannot be understood based upon the meanings of the individual parts in isolation. It always must be taken as a whole. As the meaning is non-compositional, is is unpredictable. 

A phrasal verb can be a prepositional phrasal verb or a particle phrasal verb. Off course it is  a prepositional phrasal verb when it includes a preposition, and it is a particle phrasal verbal when it includes a particle.

Here are some examples of prepositional phrasal verbs:

• They are looking after the kids. 
• I am waiting for you.
• Shirley will come on tomorrow.

Examples of particle phrasal verbs:

• They brought that up twice. 
• Could you think it over?

A phrasal verb can be also a particle-prepositional phrasal verb. It happens when it has a verb, a particle and a preposition. Examples:

• I can put up with that.
• She is looking forward to a rest. 

It is important to observe that the difference types of phrasal verbs lies with the status of the elements that are used in addition to the verbs. When the element is a preposition, it is the head of a full prepositional phrase. In this case, a phrasal verb is a prepositional phrasal verb. 

When the element is a particle, it cannot be construed as a preposition. If this is a particle, it cannot be used as a complement. As a complement is used with different meanings, it is difficult to give a single precise definition. A complement can be used as a word, phrase or clause that is necessary to complete the meaning of a given expression.

Illustrations: Google Archive. 

In the next post: "The Compounds".