This document provides an overview of nouns and noun phrases. It discusses the classification of nouns based on formation, meaning, and grammatical features. It also examines the number forms of nouns, including regular and irregular plurals, collective nouns, material nouns, abstract nouns, and proper nouns. Additionally, it outlines the general pattern and functions of noun phrases, including the use of nouns as premodifiers and postmodifiers.

1. Lecture 4Lecture 4
Noun and Noun PhraseNoun and Noun Phrase

2. Teaching ContentsTeaching Contents
• 4.1 Classification of nouns and4.1 Classification of nouns and
function of noun phrasesfunction of noun phrases
• 4.2 Number forms of nouns4.2 Number forms of nouns
• 4.3 Partitives4.3 Partitives

3. 4.1 Classification of nouns and function of4.1 Classification of nouns and function of
noun phrasesnoun phrases
• 1) Classification of nouns1) Classification of nouns
• a) Simple, compound and derivative nouns: by word-a) Simple, compound and derivative nouns: by word-
formationformation
• b) Common and proper nouns: by lexical meaningb) Common and proper nouns: by lexical meaning
• C) Countable noun and uncountable nounC) Countable noun and uncountable noun
• This classification is based on the grammaticalThis classification is based on the grammatical
features of nouns instead of whether they arefeatures of nouns instead of whether they are
countable. Regarding grammatical features,countable. Regarding grammatical features,
uncountable nouns cannot have numeral before themuncountable nouns cannot have numeral before them
(*two information), have no plural forms(*two information), have no plural forms
(*informations) and cannot be modified by “how(*informations) and cannot be modified by “how
many” but by “how much”many” but by “how much”

4. • 2) Functions of noun phrases2) Functions of noun phrases
• Nouns can function as all the elementsNouns can function as all the elements
in a sentence except the predicativein a sentence except the predicative
verb.verb.
• e.g. They elected him chairman of thee.g. They elected him chairman of the
board.board.
• He returned last night.He returned last night.
• A photo is taken each time this buttonA photo is taken each time this button
is pushedis pushed

5. • The general pattern of noun phrase isThe general pattern of noun phrase is
(determiner)+(premodifier)+noun+(postmodifier)(determiner)+(premodifier)+noun+(postmodifier)
The premodifier of noun phrase can be noun asThe premodifier of noun phrase can be noun as
well as adj. or participle.well as adj. or participle.
e.g. a table leg, water supply, the life sciencese.g. a table leg, water supply, the life sciences
When noun is used as premodifier, it can beWhen noun is used as premodifier, it can be
either singular, plural, or both.either singular, plural, or both.
(1) Singular noun as premodifier(1) Singular noun as premodifier
e.g. table legs = legs of a table / tablese.g. table legs = legs of a table / tables
a shoe store = a store that sells shoesa shoe store = a store that sells shoes
a car race = a race between carsa car race = a race between cars

6. a kitchen sink = a sink in a kitchena kitchen sink = a sink in a kitchen
When the plural noun in the postmidifier is changed intoWhen the plural noun in the postmidifier is changed into
premodifier, it usually becomes singular.premodifier, it usually becomes singular.
e.g. a cloth for dishes = a dish clothe.g. a cloth for dishes = a dish cloth
decay of teeth = tooth decaydecay of teeth = tooth decay
a station for buses = a bus stationa station for buses = a bus station
a pocket for trousers = a trouser pocketa pocket for trousers = a trouser pocket
a tray for ashes = an ash traya tray for ashes = an ash tray
(2)Singular or plural noun as premodifier a.There is(2)Singular or plural noun as premodifier a.There is
ambiguity here.ambiguity here.
foreign language(s) department= department of foreignforeign language(s) department= department of foreign
languageslanguages

7. • (foreign language department = department of a(foreign language department = department of a
foreign language)foreign language)
soft drinks manufacturer = manufacturer that producessoft drinks manufacturer = manufacturer that produces
several kinds of soft drinkseveral kinds of soft drink
soft drink manufacturer = manufacturer that producessoft drink manufacturer = manufacturer that produces
one kind of soft drinkone kind of soft drink
b. different meaningsb. different meanings
e.g. an art degree = a degree in fine arte.g. an art degree = a degree in fine art
an Arts degree = a degree in the humanitiesan Arts degree = a degree in the humanities
(3) Only plural noun as premodifier(3) Only plural noun as premodifier
e.g. a customs officer, a goods train, clothes hanger,e.g. a customs officer, a goods train, clothes hanger,
sales technique, contents bill, savings banksales technique, contents bill, savings bank

8. • It is more popular to use plural nouns asIt is more popular to use plural nouns as
premodifiers in British English than in Americanpremodifiers in British English than in American
English. Now it tends to increase.English. Now it tends to increase.
• (4) When the head of the noun phrase is(4) When the head of the noun phrase is
collective noun or name of an organization, thecollective noun or name of an organization, the
plural noun as the premodifier can have twoplural noun as the premodifier can have two
forms, but the same meaning.forms, but the same meaning.
e.g. Scientists(’) Institute for Public Informatione.g. Scientists(’) Institute for Public Information
But the singular noun is seldom used.But the singular noun is seldom used.
e.g. Yibin Teachers/ Teachers’/ *Teacher’se.g. Yibin Teachers/ Teachers’/ *Teacher’s
CollegeCollege

9. 4.2 Number forms of nouns4.2 Number forms of nouns
• Number is a grammatical distinctionNumber is a grammatical distinction
which determines whether a noun orwhich determines whether a noun or
determiner is singular or plural.determiner is singular or plural.
• 1) Regular and irregular plural1) Regular and irregular plural
• The regular is formed by addingThe regular is formed by adding –s–s oror
–es–es to the base, while the irregular isto the base, while the irregular is
formed by changing the internal vowelformed by changing the internal vowel
or by changing the ending of theor by changing the ending of the
noun.noun.

10. • Irregular plurals also include some words ofIrregular plurals also include some words of
foreign origin, borrowed from Greek, Latin orforeign origin, borrowed from Greek, Latin or
French. Their plural forms are known asFrench. Their plural forms are known as
“foreign plurals”, e.g. basis—bases, criterion—“foreign plurals”, e.g. basis—bases, criterion—
criteria.criteria.
• Some borrowed words have two plural forms:Some borrowed words have two plural forms:
a foreign plural and an English one.a foreign plural and an English one.
• e.g. medium—media – mediumse.g. medium—media – mediums
• For some, their singular and plural numberFor some, their singular and plural number
share the same form,share the same form,

11. • A) animal namesA) animal names
a)a) Singular form and regular plural coexist:Singular form and regular plural coexist:
Antelope, elk, fish, flounder, herring,Antelope, elk, fish, flounder, herring,
reindeer, shrimp, woodcockreindeer, shrimp, woodcock
（羚羊，麋，鱼，比目鱼，鲱鱼，驯鹿，虾，丘（羚羊，麋，鱼，比目鱼，鲱鱼，驯鹿，虾，丘
鹬（别名山鹬）鹬（别名山鹬）
e.g. He caught several fish/three littlee.g. He caught several fish/three little
fishes.fishes.
They went catching shrimp/shrimps.They went catching shrimp/shrimps.
I shot two elk/elks.I shot two elk/elks.

12. b) Singular form is usually used: bison,b) Singular form is usually used: bison,
grouse, quail, salmon, swinegrouse, quail, salmon, swine
（（野牛野牛 ,, 松鸡，鹌鹑，鲑（大麻哈鱼），松鸡，鹌鹑，鲑（大麻哈鱼），
猪）猪）
e.g. The farmer raises many quail/quailse.g. The farmer raises many quail/quails
and chickens.and chickens.
c) Singular form is always used:c) Singular form is always used: codcod, deer,, deer,
mackerel, troutmackerel, trout, sheep., sheep. （鳕，鹿，鲐鱼，（鳕，鹿，鲐鱼，
真鳟）真鳟） e.g. This is a deer.e.g. This is a deer.
Those are deer.Those are deer.

13. • B). Nationality nounsB). Nationality nouns
Some words ending in sound /z/ or /s/ use singular form:Some words ending in sound /z/ or /s/ use singular form:
Chinese, Japanese, Lebanese, Portuguese,Chinese, Japanese, Lebanese, Portuguese,
Sinhalese, Vietnamese, SwissSinhalese, Vietnamese, Swiss
e.g. I am a Chinese.e.g. I am a Chinese.
There are four Chinese in the training class.There are four Chinese in the training class.
C) Quantitative nouns (hundred/thousand/million/billion)C) Quantitative nouns (hundred/thousand/million/billion)
a) Cardinal numeral + hundred/thousand/million/billiona) Cardinal numeral + hundred/thousand/million/billion
+n.+n.
e.g. two hundred / *two hundred of years agoe.g. two hundred / *two hundred of years ago
That’s going to take hundreds of/*hundreds years.That’s going to take hundreds of/*hundreds years.

14. • Cardinal numeral + million + n.Cardinal numeral + million + n.
• Cardinal numeral + millions of + n.Cardinal numeral + millions of + n.
e.g. three millions of dollarse.g. three millions of dollars
three million dollarsthree million dollars
When the noun is omitted, if it is not monetaryWhen the noun is omitted, if it is not monetary
unit, the singular form is more often used thanunit, the singular form is more often used than
the plural form; if it is, the regular plural form isthe plural form; if it is, the regular plural form is
used.used.
e.g. The population rose to four million / millions.e.g. The population rose to four million / millions.
The firm had to pay three millions.The firm had to pay three millions.

15. b) several/many/a few + singular / plural (of)+ n.b) several/many/a few + singular / plural (of)+ n.
e.g. He has played the part several hundrede.g. He has played the part several hundred
times / several hundreds of times.times / several hundreds of times.
some + regular plural + n.some + regular plural + n.
e.g. He has played the piano some hundreds ofe.g. He has played the piano some hundreds of
times / many, many times.times / many, many times.
(some hundred times = about a hundred times)(some hundred times = about a hundred times)
c) dozen, scorec) dozen, score
e.g. She bought threee.g. She bought three score (of) eggsscore (of) eggs..
I have been there dozens of times.I have been there dozens of times.
He has already asked me several dozens of/He has already asked me several dozens of/
many scores of times.many scores of times.

16. • 2) Number forms of the collective, material,2) Number forms of the collective, material,
abstract and proper nounsabstract and proper nouns
• a) Number forms of the collective nouna) Number forms of the collective noun
• Some are countable, while some are not.Some are countable, while some are not.
Countable nouns behave like individual nouns.Countable nouns behave like individual nouns.
An uncountable one has no plural form; if weAn uncountable one has no plural form; if we
want to count the number, we will use a kind ofwant to count the number, we will use a kind of
individual noun related semantically to theindividual noun related semantically to the
collective, e.g. poetry—poem.collective, e.g. poetry—poem.

17. • Some collective nouns can be used inSome collective nouns can be used in
either singular or plural sense. Theeither singular or plural sense. The
following verb is determined by thefollowing verb is determined by the
singular or plural sense.singular or plural sense.
• b) Number forms of the material nounb) Number forms of the material noun
• Generally they are [U] and have no pluralGenerally they are [U] and have no plural
form. However, some items can be usedform. However, some items can be used
either uncountably or countably.either uncountably or countably.

18. • Some material nouns can take plural endings toSome material nouns can take plural endings to
convey the large quantity or scope ,convey the large quantity or scope ,
e.g. sand/sands, snow/snowse.g. sand/sands, snow/snows
• Sometimes material nouns are [C] to expressSometimes material nouns are [C] to express
“one type of” or “various types of” this material.“one type of” or “various types of” this material.
e.g. Ie.g. In Britain tea is usually drunk with sugar in it.n Britain tea is usually drunk with sugar in it.
I’d like to have a famous tea.I’d like to have a famous tea.

19. • We hardly bought wine at lunch time.We hardly bought wine at lunch time.
• We like wines and liquors.We like wines and liquors.
• Some material nouns become [C] to expressSome material nouns become [C] to express
“packet of ”, “cups of”.“packet of ”, “cups of”.
e.g. How many beers were you wanting?e.g. How many beers were you wanting?
How many tins of beer were you wanting?How many tins of beer were you wanting?
• When referring to the material itself, they areWhen referring to the material itself, they are
[U]; otherwise, they are [C], e.g. stone, rubber[U]; otherwise, they are [C], e.g. stone, rubber

20. • c) Number forms of the abstract nounc) Number forms of the abstract noun
• Mostly they are [U] and cannot take suchMostly they are [U] and cannot take such
determiners asdeterminers as aa//oneone or plural forms. A few areor plural forms. A few are
[C], e.g. victory—victories.[C], e.g. victory—victories.
•
• Some are not [C], although they have pluralSome are not [C], although they have plural
endings, e.g. *several difficulties.endings, e.g. *several difficulties.
• The addition of a plural ending to some canThe addition of a plural ending to some can
change the meaning of the base, e.g.change the meaning of the base, e.g.
experience—experiences.experience—experiences.

21. • Some can only use singular form with “a”,Some can only use singular form with “a”,
some only plural form, some both.some only plural form, some both.
e.g. He has a dislike/dread/hatred/horror/love ofe.g. He has a dislike/dread/hatred/horror/love of
cats.cats.
• He had a good knowledge of mathematics.He had a good knowledge of mathematics.
• Give my best regards to your parents.Give my best regards to your parents.
• He refused with much regret / many regrets.He refused with much regret / many regrets.
• I have a suspicion / suspicions that he’s right.I have a suspicion / suspicions that he’s right.
• Some abstract nouns can have indefiniteSome abstract nouns can have indefinite
article to express “a type of” or “an examplearticle to express “a type of” or “an example
of”.of”.

22. a) Some can have an indefinite article only ifa) Some can have an indefinite article only if
modifier exists.modifier exists.
e.g. They are doing *a business / a briske.g. They are doing *a business / a brisk
business.business.
I attach an exaggerated importance/importanceI attach an exaggerated importance/importance
to regular exercise.to regular exercise.
b) If modifier is implied, “a/an” can appear.b) If modifier is implied, “a/an” can appear.
e.g. She has had an education (= a goode.g. She has had an education (= a good
education).education).
c) Some can have “a/an” regardless of modifier.c) Some can have “a/an” regardless of modifier.
e.g. A knowledge/ A good knowledge of Englishe.g. A knowledge/ A good knowledge of English
is essential.is essential.

23. • d) Number forms of the proper nound) Number forms of the proper noun
• They have no plural forms, except for suchThey have no plural forms, except for such
proper name as the United States, theproper name as the United States, the
Philippines, the Netherlands. When onePhilippines, the Netherlands. When one
takes a plural ending, it takes on sometakes a plural ending, it takes on some
characteristics of a common noun, e.g. thecharacteristics of a common noun, e.g. the
BrownsBrowns

24. 4.3 Partitives4.3 Partitives
• They are also called unit nouns and used to denote aThey are also called unit nouns and used to denote a
part of a whole or the quantity of an undifferentiatedpart of a whole or the quantity of an undifferentiated
mass.mass.
• 1) general partitives: piece, bit, item, article1) general partitives: piece, bit, item, article
• 2) partitives related to the shape of things: cake, bar,2) partitives related to the shape of things: cake, bar,
drop, ear, flight, grain, head, loaf, lumpdrop, ear, flight, grain, head, loaf, lump
• 3) partitives related to volume: bottle, bowl, pail,3) partitives related to volume: bottle, bowl, pail,
bucket, handful, spoonful.bucket, handful, spoonful.
• 4) partitives related to the state of action: a fit of4) partitives related to the state of action: a fit of
anger/coughing/laughter/feveranger/coughing/laughter/fever
• 5) partitives denoting pairs, groups, flocks: pair, herd,5) partitives denoting pairs, groups, flocks: pair, herd,
litter, swarm, bench, troupe, shoal.litter, swarm, bench, troupe, shoal.