The Noun Phrase

Chapter 2 introduced the basic definition of a noun as a person, place, or thing. In this chapter we will examine in more detail what constitutes the word class noun with a view to expanding our understanding of what a noun encompasses. We will also discuss different types of nouns and various noun signals, word classes that are closely associated with nouns and that help us identify what words are functioning as nouns. The chapter is divided into four parts. Section 1 discusses identifying nouns. Section 2 examines different types of nouns. Section 3 considers some of the structure classes that signal nouns; and Section 4 reviews pronouns, that is, words which substitute for nouns.