In the keyword phrase provided, the word "cast" functions as a noun. It refers to the collective group of actors, performers, or players who were selected to appear in the film Patriots Day. The subsequent prepositional phrase, "in Patriots Day," acts as an adjective, modifying the noun by specifying which particular ensemble of actors is the subject.
Grammatically, "cast" is a collective noun, representing multiple individuals (the actors) as a single entity. It is crucial to distinguish this usage from its function as a verb, which would describe the action of assigning roles (e.g., "the director cast the actors"). In the context of the keyword, the user's intent is to identify the members of the noun group, not the process of their selection. The structure is [Noun] + [Adjectival Prepositional Phrase], which clearly establishes the noun as the primary subject.
This determination is essential because it dictates the entire focus of the article. By identifying "cast" as a noun, the article's objective becomes to list and describe the individuals comprising that group. The content should revolve around the "who" (the actors and their roles) rather than the "how" or "why" of the casting process. This grammatical analysis ensures the final article directly answers the implicit question within the keyword: Who are the actors in the film Patriots Day?
