Expanded noun phrases

​​In a nutshell

Expanded noun phrases give more detail or information about a noun. An expanded noun phrase is usually made by adding one or more adjectives to describe a noun. In this summary, you'll learn how to spot expanded noun phrases and use them in your own writing.

Adjectives

An adjective is a word used to describe a noun. Adding adjectives to describe a noun and create an expanded noun phrase makes your writing more interesting and varied. Remember to separate multiple adjectives in a list using commas. In these examples the expanded noun phrase is in bold ​and the adjectives are underlined.

Examples

• Suddenly Lin spotted the small, ginger cat.
  
• Surely that big, old, green tent will fit the four of us.
  
• Have you seen those multi-coloured fish?
  
• Beth ate a chocolatey cookie.
  

Prepositions

A preposition describes where a noun is in relation to something else. Expanded noun phrases can also add more detail using prepositions to describe where a noun is. In these examples the prepositions are underlined.

Examples

• Guido reached for the shoes under his bed.
  
• The man in the fancy suit showed us to our seats.
  
• Lara knew that the brown dog with the blue collar belonged to her neighbour.