Lecture 4 Noun and Noun Phrase

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Lecture 4 Lecture 4 Noun and Noun Phrase Noun and Noun Phrase

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Lecture 4 Noun and Noun Phrase. Teaching Contents. 4.1 Classification of nouns and function of noun phrases 4.2 Number forms of nouns 4.3 Partitives. 4.1 Classification of nouns and function of noun phrases. 1) Classification of nouns - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Lecture 4 Noun and Noun Phrase

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Lecture 4Lecture 4Noun and Noun PhraseNoun and Noun Phrase

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Teaching ContentsTeaching Contents

•4.1 Classification of nouns and f4.1 Classification of nouns and function of noun phrases unction of noun phrases

•4.2 Number forms of nouns4.2 Number forms of nouns•4.3 Partitives4.3 Partitives

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4.1 Classification of nouns and function 4.1 Classification of nouns and function

of noun phrasesof noun phrases • 1) Classification of nouns1) Classification of nouns• a) Simple, compound and derivative nouns: by wora) Simple, compound and derivative nouns: by wor

d-formation d-formation • 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 grammatical featThis classification is based on the grammatical feat

ures of nouns instead of whether they are countablures of nouns instead of whether they are countable. Regarding grammatical features, uncountable ne. Regarding grammatical features, uncountable nouns cannot have numeral before them (*two inforouns cannot have numeral before them (*two information), have no plural forms (*informations) and mation), have no plural forms (*informations) and cannot be modified by “how many” but by “hocannot be modified by “how many” but by “how much”w much”

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•2) Functions of noun phrases2) Functions of noun phrases

•Nouns can function as all the Nouns can function as all the elements in a sentence except the elements in a sentence except the predicative verb.predicative verb.

•e.g. They elected him chairman of e.g. They elected him chairman of the board.the board.

• He returned last night.He returned last night.

• A photo is taken each time this A photo is taken each time this button is pushedbutton is pushed

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• The general pattern of noun phrase is The general pattern of noun phrase is (determiner)+(premodifier)+noun+(postmodifi(determiner)+(premodifier)+noun+(postmodifi

er)er)The premodifier of noun phrase can be noun as The 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 sciencesWhen noun is used as premodifier, it can be eitWhen noun is used as premodifier, it can be eit

her singular, plural, or both. her singular, plural, or both. (1) Singular noun as premodifier(1) Singular noun as premodifiere.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 cars a car race = a race between cars

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a kitchen sink = a sink in a kitchena kitchen sink = a sink in a kitchenWhen the plural noun in the postmidifier is changed inWhen the plural noun in the postmidifier is changed in

to premodifier, it usually becomes singular.to 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 a(2)Singular or plural noun as premodifier a.There is a

mbiguity here.mbiguity here. foreign language(s) department= department of foreforeign language(s) department= department of fore

ign languages ign languages

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• (foreign language department = department of a for(foreign language department = department of a foreign language)eign language)

soft drinks manufacturer = manufacturer that producesoft drinks manufacturer = manufacturer that produces several kinds of soft drinks several kinds of soft drink

soft drink manufacturer = manufacturer that produces soft drink manufacturer = manufacturer that produces one kind of soft drinkone kind of soft drink

b. different meanings b. different meanings e.g. an art degree = a degree in fine arte.g. an art degree = a degree in fine artan 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 premodifiere.g. a customs officer, a goods train, clothes hanger, se.g. a customs officer, a goods train, clothes hanger, s

ales technique, contents bill, savings bankales technique, contents bill, savings bank

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• It is more popular to use plural nouns as preIt is more popular to use plural nouns as premodifiers in British English than in American modifiers 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 colle(4) When the head of the noun phrase is collective noun or name of an organization, the plctive noun or name of an organization, the plural noun as the premodifier can have two foural noun as the premodifier can have two forms, but the same meaning.rms, but the same meaning.

e.g. Scientists(’) Institute for Public Informatie.g. Scientists(’) Institute for Public Informationon

But the singular noun is seldom used.But the singular noun is seldom used.e.g. Yibin Teachers/ Teachers’/ *Teacher’s Ce.g. Yibin Teachers/ Teachers’/ *Teacher’s C

ollegeollege

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4.2 Number forms of nouns4.2 Number forms of nouns

•Number is a grammatical distinction Number is a grammatical distinction which determines whether a noun owhich determines whether a noun or determiner is singular or plural.r 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 o o

r r –es–es to the base, while the irregular to the base, while the irregular is formed by changing the internal vis formed by changing the internal vowel or by changing the ending of thowel or by changing the ending of the noun. e noun.

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• Irregular plurals also include some words of Irregular plurals also include some words of foreign origin, borrowed from Greek, Latin oforeign origin, borrowed from Greek, Latin or French. Their plural forms are known as r French. Their plural forms are known as “foreign plurals”, e.g. basis—bases, criteri“foreign plurals”, e.g. basis—bases, criterion—criteria.on—criteria.

• Some borrowed words have two plural formSome borrowed words have two plural forms: a foreign plural and an English one.s: a foreign plural and an English one.

• e.g. medium—media – mediumse.g. medium—media – mediums• For some, their singular and plural number For some, their singular and plural number

share the same form, share the same form,

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• A) animal namesA) animal namesa)a) Singular form and regular plural coexist: ASingular form and regular plural coexist: A

ntelope, elk, fish, flounder, herring, reindeentelope, elk, fish, flounder, herring, reindeer, shrimp, woodcockr, 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 little fishe.g. He caught several fish/three little fishes.es.

They went catching shrimp/shrimps.They went catching shrimp/shrimps. I shot two elk/elks.I shot two elk/elks.

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b) Singular form is usually used: bison, grb) Singular form is usually used: bison, grouse, quail, salmon, swineouse, 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/quails ae.g. The farmer raises many quail/quails and chickens.nd 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.

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• B). Nationality nounsB). Nationality nouns

Some words ending in sound /z/ or /s/ use Some words ending in sound /z/ or /s/ use singular form: Chinese, Japanese, Lebanese, singular form: Chinese, Japanese, Lebanese, Portuguese, Sinhalese, Vietnamese, SwissPortuguese, Sinhalese, 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 C) Quantitative nouns (hundred/thousand/million/billion)(hundred/thousand/million/billion)

a) Cardinal numeral + a) Cardinal numeral + hundred/thousand/million/billion +n.hundred/thousand/million/billion +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 That’s going to take hundreds of/*hundreds years.years.

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• 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 When the noun is omitted, if it is not monetary unit, the singular form is more monetary unit, the singular form is more often used than the plural form; if it is, often used than the plural form; if it is, the regular plural form is used.the regular plural form is used.

e.g. The population rose to four million / e.g. The population rose to four million / millions.millions.

The firm had to pay three millions.The firm had to pay three millions.

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b) several/many/a few + singular / plural (of)+ b) several/many/a few + singular / plural (of)+ n.n.

e.g. He has played the part several hundred e.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 of e.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 three e.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 He has already asked me several dozens of/ many scores of times. of/ many scores of times.

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• 2) Number forms of the collective, 2) Number forms of the collective, material, abstract and proper nounsmaterial, abstract 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 Countable nouns behave like individual nouns. An uncountable one has no plural nouns. An uncountable one has no plural form; if we want to count the number, we form; if we want to count the number, we will use a kind of individual noun related will use a kind of individual noun related semantically to the collective, e.g. poetrysemantically to the collective, e.g. poetry—poem.—poem.

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•Some collective nouns can be used in Some collective nouns can be used in either singular or plural sense. The foleither singular or plural sense. The following verb is determined by the singlowing verb is determined by the singular or plural sense.ular or plural sense.

• b) Number forms of the material nounb) Number forms of the material noun• Generally they are [U] and have no plural fGenerally they are [U] and have no plural f

orm. However, some items can be used eitorm. However, some items can be used either uncountably or countably.her uncountably or countably.

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• Some material nouns can take plural Some material nouns can take plural endings to convey the large quantity or endings to convey the large quantity or scope ,scope ,

e.g. sand/sands, snow/snows e.g. sand/sands, snow/snows

• Sometimes material nouns are [C] to Sometimes material nouns are [C] to express “one type of” or “various types of” express “one type of” or “various types of” this material.this material.

e.g. Ie.g. I n Britain tea is usually drunk with n Britain tea is usually drunk with sugar in it.sugar in it.

I’d like to have a famous tea. I’d like to have a famous tea.

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• 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 Some material nouns become [C] to express “packet of ”, “cups of”.express “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 How many tins of beer were you wanting?wanting?

• When referring to the material itself, they When referring to the material itself, they are [U]; otherwise, they are [C], e.g. are [U]; otherwise, they are [C], e.g. stone, rubberstone, rubber

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• c) Number forms of the abstract nounc) Number forms of the abstract noun• Mostly they are [U] and cannot take such detMostly they are [U] and cannot take such det

erminers as erminers as aa//oneone or plural forms. A few are or plural forms. A few are [C], e.g. victory—victories.[C], e.g. victory—victories.

• • Some are not [C], although they have plural eSome are not [C], although they have plural e

ndings, e.g. *several difficulties.ndings, e.g. *several difficulties.• The addition of a plural ending to some can cThe addition of a plural ending to some can c

hange the meaning of the base, e.g. experienhange the meaning of the base, e.g. experience—experiences.ce—experiences.

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• 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 e.g. He has a dislike/dread/hatred/horror/love of cats.of 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 He refused with much regret / many regrets.regrets.

• I have a suspicion / suspicions that he’s I have a suspicion / suspicions that he’s right.right.

• Some abstract nouns can have indefinite Some abstract nouns can have indefinite article to express “a type of” or “an article to express “a type of” or “an example of”. example of”.

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a) Some can have an indefinite article only if a) Some can have an indefinite article only if modifier exists.modifier exists.

e.g. They are doing *a business / a brisk e.g. They are doing *a business / a brisk business.business.

I attach an exaggerated I attach an exaggerated importance/importance to regular exercise.importance/importance 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 good e.g. She has had an education (= a good education).education).

c) Some can have “a/an” regardless of c) Some can have “a/an” regardless of modifier.modifier.

e.g. A knowledge/ A good knowledge of e.g. A knowledge/ A good knowledge of English is essential.English is essential.

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• d) Number forms of the proper nound) Number forms of the proper noun• They have no plural forms, except for suThey have no plural forms, except for su

ch proper name as the United States, thch proper name as the United States, the Philippines, the Netherlands. When one Philippines, the Netherlands. When one takes a plural ending, it takes on some e takes a plural ending, it takes on some characteristics of a common noun, e.g. tcharacteristics of a common noun, e.g. the Brownshe Browns

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4.3 Partitives4.3 Partitives

• They are also called unit nouns and used to denote They are also called unit nouns and used to denote a part of a whole or the quantity of an undifferentiata part of a whole or the quantity of an undifferentiated mass. ed 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, lump drop, ear, flight, grain, head, loaf, lump• 3) partitives related to volume: bottle, bowl, pail, bu3) partitives related to volume: bottle, bowl, pail, bu

cket, handful, spoonful.cket, handful, spoonful.• 4) partitives related to the state of action: a fit of an4) partitives related to the state of action: a fit of an

ger/coughing/laughter/feverger/coughing/laughter/fever• 5) partitives denoting pairs, groups, flocks: pair, her5) partitives denoting pairs, groups, flocks: pair, her

d, litter, swarm, bench, troupe, shoal.d, litter, swarm, bench, troupe, shoal.