Empower C1 Unit 4 (Noun Phrases)

Unit 4

Noun Phrases & Structures with “Have” and “Get”

Empower C1

Noun Phrases

Why We Use It (The Function)

We use noun phrases to give more information about a noun — who, what, which, or how many.
They make our sentences more detailed, natural, and specific.

Helps us communicate clearly and efficiently in both spoken and written English.

Noun Phrases

Why We Use It (The Function)

A noun phrase is a group of words built around a noun.
It can include:

• Determiners (a, the, my, that)

• Adjectives (beautiful, interesting)

• Prepositions or infinitives

👉 It functions as a single noun in a sentence.

Example:

• A funny feeling in your stomach

• That narrow parking space

Noun Phrases

Why Do We Use Noun Phrases?

We use noun phrases to:

• Add detail and description

• Make our language more specific and natural

• Avoid repetition and make writing sound advanced

The 6 Types of Noun Phrases

Type 1 — Article + Adjective + Noun + Preposition + Noun

Pattern:
Article + Adjective + Noun + Preposition + Noun

Example:
A funny feeling in your stomach

Use:
To describe a specific emotion or sensation.

The 6 Types of Noun Phrases

Type 2 — Determiner + Adjective + Noun

Pattern:
Determiner + Adjective + Noun

Example:
That narrow parking space

Use:
To specify and describe an object clearly.

The 6 Types of Noun Phrases

Type 3 — Noun + ’s + Superlative + Noun

Pattern:
Noun + ’s + Superlative + Noun

Example:
Humanity’s oldest survival mechanisms

Use:
To show possession and comparison (the “most” form).

The 6 Types of Noun Phrases

Type 4 — Article + Adjective + Noun + Infinitive

Pattern:
Article + Adjective + Noun + to + infinitive

Example:
An irresistible urge to ask

Use:
To show purpose or intention in a noun phrase.

The 6 Types of Noun Phrases

Type 5 — Compound Noun (Noun + Noun)

Pattern:
Noun + Noun

Example:
Gut feelings

Use:
To make specific terms or concepts (e.g., car key, coffee shop).

The 6 Types of Noun Phrases

Type 6 — Adverb + Adjective + Noun

Pattern:
Adverb + Adjective + Noun

Example:
Commonly reported indicators

Use:
To describe how often or to what degree something happens.

Noun Phrases

Important rules & Exceptions

• Adjectives come before nouns → a big house (not a house big).

• Clauses come after nouns → the movie that we watched.

• Use hyphen (-) for compound adjectives → a well-known author.

Practice time

Multiple Choice

Match each phrase with its type:

A funny feeling in your stomach

• a) Noun + noun

• b) Noun + ’s + superlative + noun

• c) Article + adjective + noun + preposition + noun

• d) Adverb + adjective + noun

Multiple Choice

Match each phrase with its type:

That narrow parking space

• a) Determiner + adjective + noun

• b) Article + adjective + noun + infinitive

• c) Adverb + adjective + noun

• d) Compound noun

Multiple Choice

Match each phrase with its type:

Humanity’s oldest survival mechanisms

• a) Noun + noun

• b) Noun + ’s + superlative + noun

• c) Article + adjective + noun + preposition + noun

• d) Adverb + adjective + noun

Multiple Choice

Match each phrase with its type:

An irresistible urge to ask

• a) Adverb + adjective + noun

• b) Determiner + adjective + noun

• c) Noun + noun

• d) Article + adjective + noun + infinitive

Multiple Choice

Match each phrase with its type:

Gut feelings

• a) Noun + noun (Compound noun)

• b) Determiner + adjective + noun

• c) Adverb + adjective + noun

• d) Article + adjective + noun + infinitive

Multiple Choice

Match each phrase with its type:

Commonly reported indicators

• a) Noun + ’s + superlative + noun

• b) Article + adjective + noun + infinitive

• c) Determiner + adjective + noun

• d) Adverb + adjective + noun

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct phrase based on the type:

A meeting which happens by chance

• a) A meeting by chance

• b) A chance meeting

• c) A meeting that is by chance

• d) A chance by meeting

Explanation

We use adjective + noun to make a concise noun phrase.

The adjective “chance” describes the type of meeting (a meeting that happens unexpectedly).

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct phrase based on the type:

The dreams of my friend who is close

• a) My close friend’s dreams

• b) The close dreams of my friend

• c) Dreams my friend close has

• d) My friend’s close dreams

Explanation

We use possessive + adjective + noun to show ownership and description.

“My close friend’s dreams” = the dreams that belong to my close friend.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct phrase based on the type:

A day that you will remember

• a) A remembering day

• b) A day of remembering

• c) A day to remember

• d) A day with memory

Explanation

We can use article + noun + to + infinitive to describe a purpose or future event.

“A day to remember” means a day that will be memorable in the future.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct phrase based on the type:

A dream that is so vivid it disturbs you

• a) A dream of disturbance

• b) A disturbing dream

• c) A vivid and disturbing dream

• d) A dream disturbed

Explanation

We use adjective + noun to describe the quality of something.

The adjective “disturbing” describes the dream — it causes discomfort or fear.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct phrase based on the type:

Thoughts that are dark and secret

• a) Dark, secret thoughts

• b) Secret thoughts that are dark

• c) The thoughts dark and secret

• d) Thoughts that darkly secret

Explanation

We use adjective + adjective + noun when more than one adjective describes the noun.

“Dark” and “secret” both describe the noun “thoughts.”

Workbook page 22

4A.1a

2. Her recently published book, Staying Alive, is a complete A–Z of health and fitness.

4A.1a

3. Getting people of all ages to eat and drink sensibly has become her life's work.

4A.1a

4. Her rags-to-riches life story is living proof that dreams can come true.

4A.1a

5. Her easy-to-follow keep-fit apps top sales charts all over the world.

4A.1b

2. that perfectly judged shot

4A.1b

3. the climate change problem

4A.1b

4. anything like a Thai green curry /
something like a Thai green curry

4A.1b

5. my uncle's life's work

4A.1b

6. plenty to do