What is Phrases and Types of Phrases

 PHRASE AND TYPES OF PHRASES  

What is phrase?

Types of phrases

As we know a absolute sentence in English Grammar is made up of units. One such unit is a phrase. let us learn about phrases, their meaning, and some types of phrases.

In English grammar a phrase is a 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.

 A phrase doesn’t contain a subject and verb. And consequently cannot convey a complete thought. A phrase contrasts with a clause.  A clause does contain a subject and verb and it can convey complete idea or thought.

A phrase is made of a head /main word or we can say a headword which determines the grammatical nature of the unit – and one or more optional modifiers. Phrases may contain other phrases inside them.

Have a look on some examples of phrases

The best friend

A good job

Drives carefully

Swims fast

Very hot and scorching

Quite slowly

In the corner

At the shop

 

A phrase can act as a noun, an adjective, a preposition or an adverb within a sentence. The function of phrase depends upon its construction and places in a sentence based on its function in a sentence, the phrases are divided into various types:

Following are the various types of phrases

1. Noun phrase

2. Verb phrase

3. Adjective phrase

4. Gerund phrase

5. Adverb phrase

6. Prepositional phrase

7. Infinitive phrase

8. Absolute phrase

Lets us study all types of phrases in detail.

1. Noun Phrase

It is usually assembled centering a single noun and works as a subject, an objector a complement in a sentence.

i)  I want a swimming costume.

  ii) Sophie drank a glass of milk.  

iii) A small girl met an accident.

iv) I don’t have a face book account.

To learn more about NOUN PHRASE click on the link below.

2. What is Verb Phrase?

Every sentence will generally contain a verb. But sometimes the action being described requires a more nuanced multi-words verb/verbs and then auxiliary verbs, i.e. helping verbs. A verb phrase is any number of verbs working together. Some such verb phrases are as follows.

i) The students are writing their exam.

ii) They have been playing since the last two hours.

iii)  She has given the book.

3. Adjective Phrase

Adjective phrase is a group of words that does the work of adjective.

An adjective phrase includes at least an adjective along with at least one other word. All of the words that are modifies or complements to the adjective are part of the overall adjective phrase.

Let us see some examples of adjective phrases

1. He never felt the witchery of the soft blue sky.

2. Nobody likes a person with a bad temper.

3. Garden with cool shady trees surrounded the village.

4. My grandmother cooks yummy, soft, delicious cake.

There are main two types of adjective phrase, one is Prepositional phrase and another is Participle phrase.

If you want to know it in detail just click on the link below and enhance your knowledge.

4. Gerund phrase

A gerund phrase is a present participle that acts like a noun. It can take on a varity of jobs in the sentence. here are a some examples.

i) Swimming is good exercise. (as subject)

ii) I love reading. (object)

iii) Sitting in the sun helps the body to get vitamin D. (as noun/object)

 

 

5. Adverb phrase

A phrase that acts as an adverb in a sentence is called an adverb phrase. Like an adverb, it modifies a verb or other adverb in the sentence. It includes an adverb and other words like noun, preposition and modifiers which acts as an adverb phrase.

i)  The horse was running very fast. (modifies verb run)

ii) She writes very slowly. (modifies verb write)

iii) He always speaks in a rude way. (modifies verb speak)

 

6. Prepositional phrase

It always begins with a preposition and connects nouns or pronoun.

i) By working constantly, you will achieve success.

ii) Students are advised to be on time.

Sometimes the prepositional phrase acts as an adjective for a sentence.  Study the following examples.

i) Please get the book above the cupboard.

ii) The boy on the last bench is misbehaving again.

Sometimes the prepositional phrase can be as his adverb of sentence. It answers the questions like how? Where? When?

Observe the sentences below.

i) The cat is sleeping under the table.

ii) The family heads to temple after breakfast.

7. Infinitive phrase

An infinitive phrase contains an infinitive (to + 1^st form of verb) and modifiers or other related words linked to the infinitive. An infinitive phrase acts as a noun, an adjective or adverb in a sentence.

i)  To dance freely was his only wish. ( To dance freely is an infinitive phrase serving as a noun)

ii) The police did not want to take severe action.

In the above sentence ‘to take severe action’ is infinitive phrase works as a noun.

 

8. Absolute phrase

The phrase containing noun or pronoun accompanied by a participle and necessary modifiers if any are stated as Absolute Phrase. it looks like a clause but there is lack of true finite verb. It is separated by comma in sentence. They modify indefinite classes and are called nominative Phrases.

Observe the following examples. {Bold words are absolute phrase}

i) Weather permitting, I will join the party.

ii) The soldier, having anger in his eyes, looked at the opponent soldier.

iii) God willing, he’ll pass the test this time.

 Hope my beautiful readers got idea of phrases and their types. If you have any suggestions can leave a comment in the comment box below.