Complex Noun Phrases II
In this unit, students refine advanced noun phrase control using pre-modifiers (adjectives/noun+noun), post-modifiers (prepositional phrases, participle clauses), and relative clauses. Focus: precision and concision—choosing the tightest structure without losing clarity.
SWBAT (Objectives)
- Identify pre- and post-modifiers in complex noun phrases while reading.
- Use relative clauses (defining vs non-defining) to add precision without run-on sentences.
- Compress information into concise noun phrases and expand dense phrases into clear clauses.
- Choose structures that improve clarity: avoid awkward noun stacking and ambiguity.
- Produce a short academic paragraph using controlled modification and accurate punctuation.
Reading Focus (Notice the “Information Packaging”)
- The main noun (head noun)
- Pre-modifiers (adjectives, noun+noun)
- Post-modifiers (of-phrases, participles, relatives)
- Where meaning becomes ambiguous
Head noun = policy. Everything else modifies it.
Noun-Phrase Toolkit (Building Blocks)
adjective + noun: significant findings
noun + noun: market analysis
hyphenated: evidence-based approach
quantifiers: a range of factors
of-phrases: the impact of policy
preposition phrases: students in rural areas
participles: data collected in 2024
infinitives: a method to reduce bias
Too many nouns in a row can confuse meaning:
“policy implementation timeline revision request”
→ use a clause: “a request to revise the policy implementation timeline.”
Put the most important idea closest to the head noun. If the modifier is long, move it after the noun (post-modify).
Relative Clauses (Precision + Punctuation)
The clause identifies which report (essential information).
Extra information about the report (not essential).
“The data collected in 2024 supports the claim.”
Precision vs Concision (Choose the Best Packaging)
What kind of problems? For whom? When?
If a modifier is long or contains multiple ideas, use a clause: “The policy, which was introduced without consultation, …”
Practice (Compress ↔ Expand)
Upgrade these nouns with modifiers (pre or post):
1) “the decision”
2) “the results”
3) “the policy”
4) “the problem”
Choose defining or non-defining, then add punctuation:
“The proposal ____ was submitted last week needs revision.”
“The proposal ____ was submitted last week needs revision.”
Hint: One version identifies which proposal; the other adds extra info.
Reduce the clause if possible:
“Students who live in remote areas often face access issues.”
“The data that was collected during the trial supports the hypothesis.”
Writing Task: Concise Academic Paragraph (140–180 words)
- Should universities record lectures?
- Is remote work sustainable long-term?
- Should cities restrict private car use downtown?
- Does social media increase political polarization?
- Use 4–6 complex noun phrases (controlled)
- Include 2 relative clauses (1 defining, 1 non-defining)
- Include 1 reduced relative clause (“data collected…”) if possible
- Avoid stacked nouns that sound unnatural
If a sentence becomes hard to follow, expand one modifier into a clause. If the paragraph feels too long, reduce a clause into a modifier. Aim for a smooth, readable academic voice.
Materials & Downloads
- Unit 3 Slides — PPTX
- Reading Highlight Pack — PDF · Head Noun Drills — PDF
- Noun-Phrase Toolkit — PDF
- Relative Clauses Guide — PDF · Punctuation Mini Sheet — PDF
- Precision vs Concision Drills — PDF
- Practice Worksheet — PDF
- Paragraph Template — PDF · Rubric — PDF
Swap placeholders with real file paths. Keep links consistent:
/levels/c1/assets/.