In a noun phrase, dependent words before the head are either determiners (e.g. the, my, some) or premodifiers (e.g. adjectives). Dependent words after the head are either complements or postmodifiers.
Noun phrases: determiners (a, the, my, his, some, this, etc.)
Determiners come first in a noun phrase (e.g. the big black car). They include:
articles: a/an, the
demonstratives: this, that, these, those
possessive determiners: my, your, his, her, etc.
quantifiers: some, any, all, enough, no, every, etc.
numerals: one, two, three, etc.
interrogative words: which, what, whose
Determiners show the type of reference the noun phrase makes. The reference may be definite (the), indefinite (a/an), demonstrative (this, that, these, those), possessive (my, our, their, etc.). Determiners can also indicate number or quantity (e.g. seven, all, some, no). (Determiners are in bold; heads are underlined.):
This room is the guest bedroom.
Your sister rang while you were at the shop.
Every time I see him he’s wearing no shoes.
