C1 · Lesson 10 · 25 min
Complex noun phrases
In this lesson
- I can identify the head of an expanded noun phrase.
- I can use modifiers and possessives while keeping agreement and meaning clear.
Grammar in context
The cost of the new evening language programme is higher than expected. Several applications for travel support are still being checked. A five-day training course will help the new coordinators prepare.
Which noun controls is in the first sentence and are in the second? Why is day singular before training course?
Find the head noun
A complex noun phrase has a head noun with information before or after it. In the cost of three replacement screens, cost is the head; screens belongs to a following prepositional phrase. Agreement normally follows the head, rather than the noun nearest the verb. Be alert to special quantity expressions, such as a number of applicants are waiting, and to collective nouns whose agreement can vary in British English. Use an unambiguous head when precision matters.
- The quality of these recordings is excellent.
- The prices of the replacement batteries are listed below.
Place modifiers clearly
Nouns can modify other nouns before the head, usually in a singular form: a language course, a ticket office. A measurement phrase used before a noun commonly has a singular unit and hyphens, as in a three-week placement. After a linking verb, the ordinary plural measurement returns: the placement is three weeks long. Long strings of modifiers can become hard to interpret; a prepositional phrase or a relative clause may make the relationship clearer.
- We booked a two-hour workshop.
- The workshop lasted two hours.
Show possession and relationships
Use a possessive ending or an of-phrase according to meaning and natural usage. A regular plural noun ending in s takes an apostrophe after that s for a plural possessive. Irregular plurals such as children take apostrophe-s. Some noun complements require a particular preposition, such as access to or an increase in. Preserve who possesses, performs or receives an action when expanding a phrase, rather than relying on a long noun string to communicate every relationship.
- The researchers’ findings changed the plan.
- The children’s room has better access to the garden.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
The cost of the repairs are high.
Use
The cost of the repairs is high.
Cost is the singular head; repairs is inside the of-phrase.
Avoid
We attended a three-days course.
Use
We attended a three-day course.
The unit in this compound modifier is singular and linked with a hyphen.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.