Expanded noun phrases: poison dart frog
The Grammar Bit!
Read the three scintillating sentences opposite.They each contain one or more expanded noun phrases (bold).
- A simple noun phrase is made up of a determiner and a noun. e.g. ‘the frog’.
- An expanded noun phrase adds more description. Putting one or more adjectives between the determiner and the noun is a common way to expand a noun phrase: e.g. ‘the tiny frog‘.
With your talk partner, see if you can replace the adjectives with your own words?
Teacher note: A noun phrase can also be expanded by adding a prepositional phrase or a relative clause after it. This is explored in the Y4, Y5 and Y6 grammar programmes.
Scintillating Sentences
1) The tiny frog fiercely defends its territory.
2) A colourful poison dart frog can easily be seen amongst the dull, brown leaves.
3) Scientists think the poison comes from the toxic insects that these carnivorous frogs feast on.
Did you know?
Hunters from Colombia’s Embera tribe use the frog’s poison on the tip of their blowpipe darts. That is why they are called poison dart frogs.