A noun phrase:

• is the part of a clause that plays the part of a noun in that clause

• can act as a subject, as the object of a verb or verbal, as a subject complement an object complement, or as the object of a preposition

• consists of a noun or pronoun with any associated modifier, including an adjective, adjective phrase, adjective clause, and other nouns in the possessive case

• can be a single word

See Jane run.

• Jane could be described as a noun phrase

Most young people in England have been to school.

• one noun phrase is "most young people in England"

• another is "most young people"

• and yet another is "people in England"

Small children often insist that they can do it by themselves.

• noun phrase as the subject

To read quickly and accurately is Eugene's goal.

• noun phrase as the object of a verb

The arctic explorers were caught unawares by the spring breakup.

• noun phrase as the object of a preposition

Frankenstein is the name of the scientist not the monster.

• noun phrase as the subject complement

I consider Loki my favorite cat.

• noun phrase as the object complement