Head noun
Definition
The head noun is the central noun in a noun phrase. Other words can identify, count, describe or complete it, but the head usually determines the phrase's basic meaning and whether it is singular or plural.
Examples
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a very old wooden house
House is the main noun; the other words describe or determine it.
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those two difficult questions
Questions is the plural head noun.
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the end of the road
End is the head of the complete noun phrase, while road belongs inside the modifying of phrase.
Head noun vs. modifier noun
The train station is nearby.
Train specifies the type of station.
The train station is nearby.
Station determines what kind of place the whole phrase refers to.
In many noun compounds, the final noun is the head and an earlier noun modifies it.
The head is not always the nearest noun
Long noun phrases may contain other nouns inside prepositional phrases or relative clauses. Agreement normally follows the head of the full phrase.
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The box of old photographs is upstairs.
The singular head box controls the verb is, not the plural noun photographs.
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The people who live next door are friendly.
The plural head people controls are.
Common mistakes
The list of names are on the desk.
The list of names is on the desk.
The singular head noun list controls subject–verb agreement.
In the phrase train station, train is the head noun.
In the phrase train station, station is the head noun.
Train modifies the head noun station.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
What is the head noun in the phrase those three large windows?
Windows is the central noun; the other words determine or describe it.Which verb agrees with the head noun in The box of tools ___ heavy?
The singular head noun box controls the singular verb is.What is the head noun in coffee cup?
Cup is the type of thing; coffee modifies it.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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