1-3. noun phrase constituent: modifier

1-3-1. noun + finite relative clause

  1. Descriptions
    • A finite relative clause follows the head noun phrase, and are always missing a constituent (corresponds in meaning to the head noun)
    • Relativizers are one of:
      • Relative pronoun: which, who, whom, whose, that
      • Relative adverb: where, when, why
      • Zero relativizer: relativizer is ommited
    • Nominal postmodifiers are different from NP complement clauses (p. 644, see the next section on noun phrase constituent: complement)
  2. Tag
    • finitecls+rel is tagged on the main verb of the that- of wh- relative clause (also include the relative clause with deleted relative pronoun).
  3. Examples
    • The lowest pressure ratio which will give an acceptable performance is always chosen. (p. 608)
    • There are plenty of existing owners who are already keen to make the move. (p. 608)
    • There was a slight, furtive boy whom no one knew. (p.608)
    • It was good for the fans, whose support so far this season has been fantastic. (p.608)
    • Well, that's the only way that this can be definitively assessed.
    • Zero relativizer:
      • The next thing [that] she knows, she's talking to Danny. (p.609)
      • Gwen gave the little frowning smile [that] she used when she was putting something to someone. (p.609)

Complex noun phrases

Complex noun phrases typically consist of a sequence of elements: a determiner, any premodifiers, the head noun, and then any postmodification or complementation elements (See Table, adapted from p. 574 and modified).

Determiner Premodifiers Head Noun Postmodifiers
a sprawling urban landscape which is dotted with parks
an ancient oak tree that has witnessed centuries
the last remaining specimen of a rare species
some innovative teaching methods designed for online learning
several handcrafted artifacts from local artisans
every major breakthrough in medical research

This section focuses on postmodifiers.

Postmodifiers

Postmodifiers come in various forms, primarily:

  • Relative clauses: the proposal she drafted this morning
  • ing-clauses: the dog sleeping on the porch
  • ed-clauses: the message encoded in the document
  • to-infinitive clauses: a plan to renovate the old theater
  • Prepositional phrases: the students from the international program
  • Noun phrases in apposition: the novelist Alice Walker

In this discussion of finite clauses serving as postmodifiers, the focus will be on relative clauses. The remaining postmodifier types will be addressed in subsequent sections.