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This post includes a detailed explanation of Phrases with Sentences and Types of Phrases along with the definition of phrases.
A phrase is any group of two or more words functioning as a meaningful unit within a sentence or clause. A phrase is commonly characterized as a grammatical unit at a level between a word and a clause.
Common phrases with sentences and types of phrases include noun phrases (such as a good friend), verb phrases (drives carefully), adjective phrases (very cold and dark), adverb phrases (quite slowly), and prepositional phrases (in the first place).
Examples of Phrases
A small white cat (Noun Phrase)
Are running (Verb Phrase)
Very tall (Adjective Phrase)
In the forest (Prepositional Phrase)
Very Carelessly (Adverbial Phrase)
The function of a Phrase
In a sentence or clause, a phrase functions as:
- Noun
- Adjective
- Verb
- Adverb
- Preposition
The function of a phrase depends on its construction (words it contains).
Types of Phrases
Based on their functions and constructions, phrases are divided into various types.
- Noun phrase
- Adjective phrase
- Verb phrase
- Adverb phrase
- Prepositional phrase
- Gerund phrase
- Participle phrase
- Infinitive phrase
- Appositive phrase
- Absolute phrase
What is a Noun Phrase?
“A noun phrase consists of a noun and other related words (usually modifiers and determiners) which modify the noun. It functions like a noun in a sentence.”
Noun Phrase = Noun + Modifier/Determiner
Noun Phrase = Modifier/Determiner + Noun
Examples of Noun Phrase
He is wearing a nice red shirt. – (as noun/object)
(Head Noun: Shirt)
She brought a glass full of water. – (as noun/object)
(Head Noun: Glass)
The boy with brown hair is laughing. – (as noun/subject)
(Head Noun: Boy)
A man on the roof was shouting. – (as noun/subject)
(Head Noun: Man)
What is a Verb Phrase?
“A verb phrase is a combination of the main verb and its auxiliaries (helping verbs) in a sentence.”
Verb Phrase = Auxiliary/Helping verb + Main Verb
Examples of Verb Phrases:
Sara is eating a banana.
(Head Verb: Eat)
Anna has finished her work.
(Head Verb: Finish)
You should study for your bright future.
(Head Verb: Study)
She has been sleeping since morning.
(Head Verb: Sleep)
What is an Adjective Phrase?
“An adjective phrase is a group of words that functions like an adjective in a sentence. It consists of an adjective, modifier on any word that modifies a noun or pronoun.”
Adjective Phrase = Modifier + Adjective
Examples of Adjective Phrases
He is wearing a nice white watch.
(Modifies Watch)
The girl with black hair is dancing.
(Modifies Watch)
He gave me a box full of chocolates.
(Modifies Box)
A boy from Lahore won the race.
(Modifies Boy)
What is an Adverb Phrase?
“An adverb phrase is a group of words that functions as an adverb in a sentence. It consists of adverbs or other words (preposition, noun, verb, modifiers) that make a group with works like an adverb in a sentence.”
Adverb Phrase = Adverb or Other words functioning as adverb
Examples of Adverb Phrases
Sara always behaves in a good manner.
(Modifies verb behave)
I was shouting in a loud voice.
(Modifies verb shout)
My father always drives with care.
(Modifies verb drive)
She returned in a short while.
(Modifies verb return)
What is a Prepositional Phrase?
“A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, object of the preposition (noun or pronoun) and may also consist of other modifiers.”
Prepositional Phrase = Preposition + Noun/Pronoun (Object of Preposition)
Object of Preposition
A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and mostly ends with a noun or pronoun. Whatever prepositional phrase ends with is called the object of a preposition.
The Function of Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase functions as an adjective or adverb in a sentence.
Examples of Prepositional Phrases
on a table
near a wall
in the room
at the door
under a tree
Examples of Prepositional Phrases in a Sentence
A girl on the roof is singing a song. (As adjective)
The man in the room is my father. (As adjective)
Alia is shouting in a loud voice. (As adverb)
The child always behaves in a good manner. (As adverb)
What is an Infinitive Phrase?
“An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive (to + simple form of the verb) and modifiers or other words associated with the infinitive. An infinitive phrase always functions as an adjective, adverb, or noun in a sentence.”
Infinitive Phrase = Infinitive (to) + The Simple first form of the verb + Modifiers associated with the infinitive
Examples of Infinitive Phrases
He likes to watch movies. – (As noun/object)
To earn respect is a desire of everyone. – (As noun/subject)
He shouted to inform people about the fire. – (As adverb, modifies verb shout)
He made a plan to buy a new house. – (As an adjective, modifies noun plan)
What is a Gerund Phrase?
“A gerund phrase consists of a gerund (verb + ing) and modifiers or other words associated with the gerund. A gerund phrase acts as a noun in a sentence.”
Gerund Phrase = Verb + ing + Modifiers associated with the gerund
Examples of a Gerund Phrase
I like dancing on the stage. – (As noun/object)
She started thinking about the final result. – (As noun/object)
Eating late at night is a bad habit. – (As noun/subject)
Weeping of a baby woke her mother up. – (As noun/subject).
What is a Participle Phrase?
“Participle phrases start with either a present or past participle and contain other words or modifiers associated with the participle. They act as adjectives in a sentence”.
Participle Phrase = Present or past Participle + Modifiers associated with the participle
Examples of Participle Phrases
Phrases with present participles:
Lounging by the pool
Chasing a butterfly
Watching silently Phrases
Phrases with past participles:
Struck by lightning
Driven to succeed Loaned out
What is an Absolute Phrase?
Absolute phrases are the trickiest to identify.
These phrases are not closely connected to the rest of the sentence; they don’t describe a specific word but modify the whole sentence.
They add extra information and are usually separated by commas (or dashes).
At the heart of an absolute phrase, you will find a noun or pronoun and some modifiers. Very often the modifier is a participle.
Examples of Absolute Phrases
1. With the tide coming in, most beachgoers were packing up.
Absolute phrase: With the tide coming in.
2. As the semester finished, Karen sold all her textbooks.
Absolute phrase: As the semester finished.
3. The ice finally froze over, and we went skating.
Absolute phrase: The ice finally froze over.
Final Words
This blog post discusses phrases in detail along with the types of phrases. To watch a detailed lecture on the topic, click on the link given below:
