nominalfraser

Nominalfraser is a term used in some linguistic writings to describe a class of noun phrases (NPs) whose core unit is a head noun, optionally expanded by predetermined modifiers and complements. The term is not universally adopted and tends to appear in discussions of cross-linguistic noun phrase structure or in specific theoretical frameworks that emphasize the role of the head noun in syntax.

Structure and components: A nominalfraser centers on a head noun and can include pre-head modifiers such as determiners, possessives, demonstratives, and numerals, as well as post-head modifiers like adjectives, relative clauses, and prepositional phrases. The precise order and presence of these elements vary across languages, reflecting different syntactic patterns for noun phrase projection. In English, common nominalfrasers include phrases like the big red ball or these two ancient houses, where modifiers and determiners accompany the head noun.

Functions and distribution: The nominalfraser typically functions as a referential unit within a sentence, able to serve as subject, direct or indirect object, or object of a preposition. Its internal structure can affect agreement, determiners, and case marking in languages that encode such features. Some analyses treat the nominalfraser as a distinct projection or layer within NP structure, while others align it with broader discussions of head-driven phrase structure.

Cross-linguistic variation: Languages differ in whether determiners are obligatory, how adjectives order relative to nouns, and whether the head noun carries agreement or case marking. The nominalfraser concept helps compare noun phrase formation across typologically diverse languages and clarifies how modifiers interact with the noun head.

See also: noun phrase, determiner, head noun, attributive adjective, specifier, modifier.