Nominal (noun) phrases

💡 Notice how nominal phrases may embed within other nominal phrases.

• A nominal phrase is a group of words that can function as a noun. A nominal phrase can be the subject of a sentence (or clause) and can be an object (e.g., direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition, object of a gerund, participial, infinitive, etc.) phrase.

  • The girl in the red dress is drinking red wine. - subject

  • The waiter gave the girl in the red dress a glass of red wine. - indirect object

  • The waiter gave the girl in the red dress a glass of red wine. - subject

  • The waiter gave the girl in the red dress a glass of red wine. . - object of the preposition

  • The waiter gave the girl in the red dress a glass of red wine. - direct object

  • The audience noticed the girl in the red dress. - direct object

  • The waiter was with the girl in the red dress . - object of the preposition

  • Seeing the girl in the red dress reminded him of his past. - object of the gerund phrase

  • Seeing the girl in the red dress, the waiter was reminded of his past. - object of the participial phrase

  • Seen as the girl in the red dress, Sarah felt like a cliché. - object of the preposition

  • To see the girl in the red dress brought back memories. - object of the infinitive phrase within the subject, “To see the girl in the red dress…”