Definition of Headwords
The most important word located within the phrase that collectively modifies (specializes) all other words is called Headwords. Example : A truly educated person deserves respect from all.
In the above sentence ‘A truly educated person‘ the word person is the Headword in this sentence. Here there are 4 words in the phrase ‘A truly educated person‘.
Its first three words characterize the 4th word person. If the 4th word is removed, the meaning of the first 3 words is irrelevant. The 4th word is the main word of the phrase. The first three words are particularly active in characterizing the fourth word. Therefore, the main word (Headwords) of the phrase is person.
Location of Headwords
Headwords mainly take position in sentences under the shelter of noun phrase, noun clause, verb phrase, adjective phrase and adverb phrase.
How to Identify Headwords:
It has been mentioned earlier that Headwords take position in sentences under different phrases and clauses. Now how the Headwords are positioned in the different phrases and clauses are identified below:
A noun phrase can be used both as subject and object in a sentence. Nouns used within noun phrases must be identified as Headwords.
(1) Use of Subject of Noun Phrase as Headwords :
A laborious person can prosper in life.
In the above sentence the noun phrase ‘A laborious person’ is used as subject. In the noun phrase ‘A laborious peson’, the word ‘person’ is a noun and the preceding two words ‘A laborious’ modify ‘person’. to the noun. So the ‘person’-noun inside this noun phrase is Headwords.
(2) Use of object of Noun Phrase as Headwords :
Everyone respects a truly educated person.
In the above sentence, ‘a truly educated person‘ is used as the object of the sentence. Here the ‘person’ noun of the noun phrase is Headwords.
(3) Use of Noun Infinitive Phrase as Headwords :
To do good of others is a noble task.
In the above sentence “To do good of others” this noun infinitive phrase is Headwords.
(4) Use of Compound Subject as Headword:
Multiple subject connected by And / Or is called compound subject. The whole of such compound subject will be considered as Headwords.
For example: Kalam and Salam are two brothers.
(5) Use of Noun Clause as Headword:
If a noun clause is used as a subject in a sentence, the entire noun clause will be considered as Headwords.
For Example: That he speaks the truth is clear.
In the above sentence ‘that he speaks the truth‘ the whole of this noun clause is Headwords.
(6) Use of Verb Phrase as Headword:
There are many verbs in verb phrase, 1 principal verb and the rest are auxiliary verbs Among these verbs, only the principal verb will be considered as Headwords.
For example: The children have been singing for an hour.
In the above sentence, the verb phrase ‘have been singing’ has three verbs: have, been and singing. But the first 2 verbs are auxiliary verbs and the third ‘singing’ verb is the principal verb. So this principal verb ‘singing’ is the Headword.
(7) Use of Adjective Phrase as Headword:
Multiple adjective-adjective phrase Adjective phrase-4 All adjectives will count as Headwords.
For example: She is quite certain of her success.
The two adjectives in the above sentence quite and certain are collectively Headwords.
(8) Use of Adverb Phrase as Headword:
A phrase that works like an adverb, that is, it modifies a verb, adjective and adverb is an adverb phrase. Words like adverb are used as Headword.
For example: She walks too slowly.
The adverb phrase “too slowly” in the sentence above is Headwords.