The term functions as a compound noun phrase. Within this structure, the final word, "rating," serves as the head noun, which is the core subject of the phrase. The preceding words are attributive nouns (or noun adjuncts) that act as modifiers, specifying the type and subject of the rating.
A detailed analysis of the phrase's structure reveals a hierarchy of modification. The head noun "rating" is first modified by "IMDb," which specifies the source or platform of the rating. This new unit, "IMDb rating," is then further modified by the proper noun "Patriots Day," which identifies the specific film to which the rating applies. Each preceding noun narrows the scope of the final noun, creating a highly specific and singular conceptual unit.
Understanding this grammatical function is crucial for its application in writing. As a single noun phrase, the entire term can act as the subject of a sentence (e.g., "[The term] is often searched by users."), the direct object of a verb (e.g., "The user researched [the term]."), or the object of a preposition. This treatment as a singular entity is essential for maintaining syntactical correctness and is how search algorithms interpret it as a specific user query for a distinct piece of information.
