Noun phrase modifier
noun + finite relative clause
- Descriptions
- A finite relative clause follows the head noun phrase and contains a relativizer (a relative pronoun or adverb).
- Relativizers are one of:
- Relative pronoun: which, who, whom, whose, that
- Relative adverb: where, when, why, how
- Zero relativizer: relativizer is ommited
- Nominal postmodifiers are different from noun phrase complement clauses (p. 644, see the next section on noun phrase complement.
- Tag
finitecls+relis tagged on the main verb of the that- of wh- relative clause (also include the relative clause with deleted relative pronoun).
- 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)
- 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.