What does a noun phrase include?

• A. A verb
• B. A definite article
• C. A noun or indefinite pronoun
• D. An adverb

Answer: (C)

A noun phrase is structured around a noun, which serves as the head of the phrase, and can include components that provide additional information about that noun. This includes determiners such as articles (definite or indefinite), adjectives, and any modifiers that enhance the meaning of the noun.

In this case, the correct choice refers to the core element of a noun phrase—a noun or an indefinite pronoun. An indefinite pronoun, which can stand in for a noun without specifying it directly (like "someone" or "anyone"), can indeed form part of a noun phrase. The inclusion of a noun or indefinite pronoun is essential, as they represent the subject or object within a sentence, providing the anchor around which the phrase is built.

The other choices do not fully capture the essence of a noun phrase. A verb, for instance, is not a component of a noun phrase because it functions to express actions or states, which is separate from denoting a person, place, thing, or idea. A definite article might appear within a noun phrase, but it does not constitute the phrase itself. Lastly, an adverb modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, and is not related to the structure of a noun phrase. Thus,