LoginPhrases
In this lesson we learn about phrases, which are essential groups of words that function together to add meaning to a sentence without containing a subject and a verb. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Are Phrases?
A phrase consists of one or more words that form a single grammatical unit and act as a unified part of speech. If you think of a sentence as a building, phrases are like bricks of that building. They are typically part of a clause or a sentence. Phrases can consist of a one or more words.
Phrases: Structure
A phrase consists of:
One head (also called Headword)
One or more modifiers
The head of a phrase is the most important word in the phrase and determines its grammatical function. For example, a phrase whose head is a noun is called a noun phrase, and a phrase whose head is a verb is called a verb phrase.
The remaining words in a phrase are called the dependents of the head. These words modify or complement the head and provide additional information that helps to clarify the meaning of the phrase. The dependents can include other nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, or other types of words that modify or describe the head.
The head is the essential part of a phrase, while not every phrase has dependents. In other words, some phrases may consist of only a head, without any dependents.
Phrases: Types
There are four main types of phrases in English:
Noun Phrase (NP) → the cute hamster
Verb Phrase (VP) → play piano
Adjective Phrase (AP) → very delighted
Adverb Phrase (AdvP) → too carefully
Noun Phrase
A noun phrase (NP) is a group of words that includes a noun and any modifiers that describe or qualify the noun. Noun phrases can be simple, consisting of just a noun, or complex, consisting of a noun plus one or more modifiers, such as pronouns, adjectives, or prepositional phrases.
Noun phrases can function in various grammatical roles in a sentence, such as the subject, object, complement, or appositive.
I saw a boy with a blue hat in the street.
A noun phrase functioning as the object of the verb.
The girl standing over there is my friend.
A noun phrase functioning as the subject of the verb.
He is a very good doctor.
A noun phrase functioning as the subject complement.
Mary Lou, my friend, wears glasses.
A noun phrase functioning as appositive.
Tip
Usually, a noun phrase is just a noun or a pronoun.
Verb Phrase
A verb phrase consists of a verb and all its complements, excluding the subject in an independent or coordinate clause. The verb phrase typically conveys the core action or state in a sentence, along with additional elements that provide more information about that action or state, such as objects, indirect objects, adverbs, or prepositional phrases. In other words, the verb phrase is similar to the predicate. Here are some examples:
He is sitting on the chair.
Here, the verb phrase consists of an auxiliary verb (is) + main verb (sitting) + a prepositional phrase (on the chair)
She can speak French.
Here, the verb phrase consists of a modal verb (can) + main verb (speak) + an object (French)
Phrase vs. Clause
As mentioned in the definition of verb phrase, a phrase does not contain a subject. A clause, however, does contain a subject and it can convey a complete idea.
Phrases can never stand on their own as sentences, while clauses can be complete sentences (independent clauses) or part of a sentence (dependent clauses). Let's take a look at some examples:
shouts very loudly → phrase
That man shouts very loudly → clause
This example has a subject (the man) and a verb (shouts) and conveys a complete idea.
Adjective Phrase
An adjective phrase is a group of words that includes an adjective and any modifiers that describe or qualify a noun or pronoun. Adjective phrases can be simple, consisting of just an adjective, or complex, consisting of an adjective plus one or more modifiers, such as adverbs or prepositional phrases. Take a look at the examples:
You have gorgeous eyes.
A simple adjective phrase
The statues masterfully carved by artists are in the museum.
A complex adjective phrase consisting of an adjective (carved) and its modifiers: an adverb (masterfully), and a prepositional phrase (by artists).
Adverb Phrases
An adverb phrase is a group of words that includes an adverb as its head, along with any modifiers of that adverb. Adverb phrases can function as adverbs, modifying verbs, or adjectives in a sentence.
I will come as soon as possible.
Luckily for me, the bus arrived just in time.
Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional Phrases are a special group of phrases that are not distinguished by their function, but by their form. In other words, a prepositional phrase consists of a prepositions and its object, but it mainly functions as an adverb. Look at the examples:
I lived near the Bakersfield's hospital.
The man with the hat is my uncle.
In the prepositional phrase 'with the hat', 'with' is the preposition, 'hat' is the object of preposition' and 'the' is the article modifying it.
Tip!
We have two types of phrases:
Grammatical phrases: function as a unit within a sentence and serve grammatical purposes
Common phrases: phrases or idioms frequently used in everyday language which have a specific (sometimes metaphorical or figurative) meaning
Review
In this article, we have learned about phrases. They are words that are put together with no subjects and verbs. In this case, they cannot have a complete meaning. There are some main phrases and some other ones as follows:
main phrases | 1. noun phrase | 2. verb phrase | 3. prepositional phrase | 4. adjective phrase | 5. adverb phrase |
|---|
Quiz:
What is the primary role of the "head" in a phrase?
To provide additional information or modify the meaning
To determine its grammatical role
To connect the phrase to other parts of the sentence
To clarify the meaning of the phrase by adding subjects and verbs
Fill in the blanks with the correct type of phrase.
A
consists of a noun and its modifiers, which describe or qualify the noun.
A
includes a main verb and its objects, complements, and adverbs.
A
consists of a preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object.
An
includes an adjective and any modifiers that describe or qualify a noun or pronoun.
An
includes an adverb as its head, along with any modifiers of the adverb.
Match the phrases to their correct type.
Complete the table by identifying the headword.
| Example | Headword |
|---|---|
the cat with green eyes | |
runs quickly | |
very excited about the event | |
to complete the assignment | |
laughing loudly at the joke | |
too tired to continue | |
the old house near the river |
Which of the following statements best describes the difference between a phrase and a clause?
A phrase contains a subject and a verb, while a clause does not.
A phrase can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a clause cannot.
A phrase does not contain a subject, while a clause does
A clause is always shorter than a phrase and contains fewer words.
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