In the term "9/11 holiday," the main part of speech is a noun. The entire phrase functions as a noun phrase, where "holiday" is the head noun, or the core concept. The term "9/11" is a proper noun acting as a noun adjunct (or attributive noun), which means it functions like an adjective to modify or specify the type of holiday being discussed.
A noun adjunct is a common grammatical construction where one noun modifies another. In this structure, the first noun ("9/11") provides a specific classification for the second noun ("holiday"). Other examples include "kitchen table" or "government budget." The significance here is that "9/11" is not just a descriptor but the defining element of the concept. It establishes the subject matter as a specific category of holiday, one intrinsically linked to the events of September 11, 2001. The entire term, therefore, refers to a specific entity or concept.
For the purpose of an article, establishing "9/11 holiday" as a noun phrase is crucial because it frames the topic as a thing or a concept to be analyzed, defined, or debated. The central subject is the "holiday" itself, with "9/11" providing its specific context and identity. This grammatical foundation directs the article to explore questions such as what this holiday entails, whether it should be formally recognized, or how it is observed, rather than treating it as a descriptive quality or an action.
