1. Nominal Groups

1.1. Nominal Group

A Nominal Group is a group of words centered around a core noun (called the Thing).

Every word added before or after that core noun has a specific job to do: it might describe its qualities, classify its type, or quantify how many there are.

Consider the noun group: The 5 small marble chips in the conical flask

It can be broken up into 3 sections:

Functional Structure of a Nominal Group

Pre-modifiers (Before the noun)	Noun	Post-modifiers (After the noun)
The 5 small marble	chips	in the conical flask

Probe questions can be asked to identify each part of the noun group.

Nominal Group Elements

Which?	How many?	What like?	What type?	Who or what?	Which one?
The	5	small	marble	chips	in the conical flask
Pointer	Numerative	Describer	Classifier	Thing	Qualifier

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1.2. Building the Nominal Group

The following sequence shows how a technical participant is constructed in scientific writing:

1. Thing only: chips

2. Add Pointer: The chips

3. Add Classifier: The marble chips

4. Add Describer: The small marble chips

5. Add Numerative: The 5 small marble chips

6. Add Qualifier (Full Group): The 5 small marble chips in the conical flask

Layered Nominal Group Construction

Step	Pointer	Numerative	Describer	Classifier	Thing	Qualifier
1					chips
2	The				chips
3	The			marble	chips
4	The		small	marble	chips
5	The	5	small	marble	chips
6	The	5	small	marble	chips	in the conical flask

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1.3. Identifying parts of a nominal group

Exercise: Identifying Nominal Group Functions

Analyze the following nominal group used in tectonic theory:

“The dense oceanic crust at the subduction zone”

Identify which word or phrase performs each of the following functions: (A) Pointer, (B) Describer, (C) Classifier, (D) Thing, (E) Qualifier.

Reveal Answer Key

Model Answer

• The: Pointer

• dense: Describer

• oceanic: Classifier

• crust: Thing

• at the subduction zone: Qualifier

Scientific Logic

• Pointer: The — Probe: Which specific one? (Identifies the specific crust being observed in this tectonic context).

• Describer: dense — Probe: What is it like? (Describes a physical property).

• Classifier: oceanic — Probe: What type? (Categorizes the crustal material, distinguishing it from continental crust).

• Thing: crust — Probe: What is the core object? (The central participant that the other words are specifying).

• Qualifier: at the subduction zone — Probe: Where or which one in detail? (Provides the precise location where the action is occurring).

Exercise: Identifying Nominal Group Functions

Analyze the following nominal group used to describe seafloor spreading:

“The hot molten magma beneath the mid-ocean ridge”

Identify which word or phrase performs each of the following functions: (A) Pointer, (B) Describer, (C) Classifier, (D) Thing, (E) Qualifier.

1.4. Making nominal groups

Exercise: Reconstruct the Nominal Group

Reorder the following parts to create a scientifically accurate nominal group:

at the convergent plate boundary, continental, massive, plates, the, two

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1.5. Tectonic Classification Exercise

In scientific writing, general nouns like plate or zone are rarely used on their own.

Instead, Classifiers are used to specify the exact type of the “Thing” being discussed.

Classifiers are essential for technical precision because they categorize entities into specific geological systems.

A Classifier indicates what type something is (e.g., Oceanic crust is a different type of crust compared to Continental crust).

Use the following exercises to practice identifying the correct Classifiers for tectonic structures and dynamic features.

Matching Classifiers

Choose a suitable Classifier from the list below to the core Thing.

Options: (A) Continental, (B) Convection, (C) Convergent, (D) Mid-ocean, (E) Tectonic

No.	Core Noun (Thing)	Classifier + Thing
1.1	plates	[_______________] plates
1.2	boundary	[_______________] boundary
1.3	ridge	[_______________] ridge
1.4	current	[_______________] current
1.5	margin	[_______________] margin

Reveal Answer Key

Answers:

1.1 (E) Tectonic plates;

1.2 (C) Convergent boundary;

1.3 (D) Mid-ocean ridge;

1.4 (B) Convection current;

1.5 (A) Continental margin.

Question 2: Matching Classifiers

Complete the nominal groups by matching the correct Classifier from the list below to the core Thing.

Options: (A) Deep-sea, (B) Oceanic, (C) Subduction, (D) Transform, (E) Volcanic

No.	Core Noun (Thing)	Full Nominal Group
2.1	crust	[_______________] crust
2.2	fault	[_______________] fault
2.3	zone	[_______________] zone
2.4	trench	[_______________] trench
2.5	eruption	[_______________] eruption

Reveal Answer Key

Answers:

2.1 (B) Oceanic crust

2.2 (D) Transform fault

2.3 (C) Subduction zone

2.4 (A) Deep-sea trench

2.5 (E) Volcanic eruption.

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1.6. Adding Describers

While Classifiers define the type of a geological entity, Describers (also known as Epithets) provide information about its qualities or characteristics.

In technical writing, Describers allow scientists to add layers of detail regarding size, speed, or intensity.

Notice how the Describers in this exercise — such as slow-moving or high-pressure — often use compound words to maintain a formal, objective tone.

By adding a Describer to an existing technical term, a “heavy” nominal group carries a high density of information.

Matching Technical Describers

The following technical terms already have a Classifier and a Thing. Choose the most appropriate Describer from the list below.

Describer Options: (A) High-pressure, (B) Highly-active, (C) Immense, (D) Low-density, (E) Slow-moving

No.	Technical Term (Classifier + Thing)	Describer + Classifier + Thing
1.1	tectonic plates	[_______________] tectonic plates
1.2	subduction zone	[_______________] subduction zone
1.3	mid-ocean ridge	[_______________] mid-ocean ridge
1.4	convection current	[_______________] convection current
1.5	continental crust	[_______________] continental crust

Reveal Answer Key

1.1 (C) Immense tectonic plates

1.2 (A) High-pressure subduction zone

1.3 (B) Highly-active mid-ocean ridge

1.4 (E) Slow-moving convection current

1.5 (D) Low-density continental crust