PHRASES
Definition
A phrase is a group of words that does not make complete sense on its own. It does not have a subject or a verb of its own.
A phrase, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is defined as “a group of words without a finite verb, especially one that forms part of a sentence.”
Types of Phrases with Examples:
Noun Phrase
Adjective Phrase
Adverb Phrase
Verb Phrase
Prepositional Phrase
Other types of phrases include Gerund Phrase, Appositive Phrase, Participle Phrase, Adverbial Phrase and Infinitive Phrase.
Noun Phrase:
A noun phrase is a group of words that have a noun or pronoun. It is used to modify the noun. In other words, it can be said that a noun phrase can function as a subject, an object or a complement in a sentence.
For example:
1. My brother’s friend had come to visit him. (Used as a subject)
2. Scented candles are my favourite. (Used as a subject)
3. The students were asked to find the buried treasure. (Used as an object)
Adjective Phrase:
An adjective phrase or an adjectival phrase is a group of words that consists of an adjective. It provides more information about the noun or pronoun in a sentence. In other words, it can be said that it functions just like an adjective in a sentence.
For example:
1. Anu has silky, smooth hair.
2. People, living in large cities, often find it difficult to reach in time.
3. The team that made it to the final was congratulated in front of the whole school.
Adverb Phrase:
An adverb phrase or an adverbial phrase is a group of words that includes an adverb and other modifiers. It performs all the functions of an adverb. It can be placed in any part of the sentence, with respect to the part of speech they modify.
For example:
1. We are planning to finish our group project by the end of May.
2. Later this evening, my cousins and I have planned to go to the park.
3. They saw some abandoned puppies at the corner of the street.
Verb Phrase:
A verb phrase can be used just like a verb. It consists of a main verb and an auxiliary verb.
For example:
1. Students are practicing hard in order to participate in the state tournament.
2. Aaron has been writing multiplication tables for three hours.
3. The dogs have been barking continuously.
Prepositional Phrase:
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and an object. It works just like an adjective or an adverb. It relates the subject and the verb in a sentence. It is used to modify the nouns and verbs in a particular sentence.
For example:
1. It was too hard for me to concentrate with the kids jumping around.
2. The jewellery boxes were kept inside the cupboard.
3. On the way to New York, we caught sight of the famous Niagara falls.
How to Use Phrases?
Rules and Points to Remember
There are some things that you have to remember when using phrases:
1. Phrases are just a part of the sentence and cannot stand alone.
2. They do not give complete meaning if taken out of context.
3. They are mostly used to provide extra information about the subject, object or other components in a sentence.
4. There can be more than one phrase in a sentence.
5. Make sure that the phrase gives your sentence clarity.
Check Your Understanding of Phrases
Identify the phrases in the following sentences and also state the type of phrase.
1. Danny was playing video games on his phone.
2. Vishu, Manik and Arjun like going on road trips.
3. The girl, in the black dress, is my colleague.
4. We found an unowned vehicle parked in front of our house.
5. The savouries that were served today were extremely sweet.
6. That little boy is my friend’s son.
7. Xavier found a white, furry bunny in their backyard.
8. The plant in the right corner of the garden finally bloomed.
9. Bangalore seems to be a busy, crowded and advanced city.
10. The security guard was unusually kind to all the employees today.
Now, find out if you have identified the phrases correctly:
1. Danny was playing video games on his phone. – Verb phrase, Prepositional phrase
2. Nandhu, Vishnu and Arjun like going on road trips. – Noun phrase
3. The girl, in the black dress, is my colleague. – Adjective phrase
4. We found an unowned vehicle parked in front of our house. – Noun phrase, Prepositional phrase
5. The savouries that were served today were extremely sweet. – Adverb Phrase
6. That little boy is my friend’s son. – Noun phrase, Noun phrase
7. Xavier found a white, furry bunny in their backyard. – Adjective phrase, Prepositional phrase
8. The plant in the right corner of the garden finally bloomed. – Prepositional phrase
9. Bangalore seems to be a busy, crowded and advanced city. – Adjective phrase
10. The security guard was unusually kind to all the employees today. – Adverb phrase
EXERCISE 1
2. After school, my friends and I played soccer in the park. (Adverbial & Prepositional Phrase)
3. The big, old oak tree with twisted branches provided shade in the hot afternoon. (Adjective & Prepositional Phrase)
4. Swimming in the crystal-clear lake during summer is my favorite activity. (Gerund Phrase)
5. The curious cat with green eyes explored the garden. (Adjective Phrase)
EXERCISE 2
Identify the type of phrase(s) in each sentence:
1. The students were asked to find the buried treasure.
2. On the way to New York, we caught sight of the famous Niagara falls.
3. Students are practicing hard in order to participate in the state tournament.
4. Later this evening, my cousins and I have planned to go to the park.
5. They saw some abandoned puppies at the corner of the street.
Answers:
1. Noun Phrase: "The students"; Verb Phrase: "were asked to find"; Infinitive Phrase: "to find the buried treasure."
2. Prepositional Phrase: "On the way to New York"; Independent Clause: "we caught sight of the famous Niagara Falls."
3. Noun Phrase: "Students"; Verb Phrase: "are practicing"; Adverbial Phrase: "hard"; Infinitive Phrase: "to participate in the state tournament."
4. Adverbial Phrase: "Later this evening"; Noun Phrase: "my cousins and I"; Verb Phrase: "have planned to go to the park."
5. Subject Phrase: "They"; Verb Phrase: "saw"; Noun Phrase: "some abandoned puppies"; Prepositional Phrase: "at the corner of the street."
EXERCISE 3
Identify the type of phrase(s) in each of the following sentences:
1. The cat with fluffy fur sleeps peacefully on the windowsill.
2. After finishing his dinner, Jack went to the park to play with his friends.
3. In the attic, hidden behind old boxes, we found a dusty book filled with secrets.
4. The bright stars twinkled in the sky above the quiet town.
5. The little girl with pigtails laughed happily as she skipped down the path.
Answers:
1. Noun Phrase: "The cat with fluffy fur"
2. Prepositional Phrase: "After finishing his dinner"; Noun Phrase: "the park"; Verb Phrase: "to play with his friends"
3. Prepositional Phrase: "In the attic"; Prepositional Phrase: "behind old boxes"; Adjective Phrase: "hidden"; Noun Phrase: "a dusty book filled with secrets"
4. Adjective Phrase: "bright"; Verb Phrase: "twinkled in the sky above the quiet town"
5. Noun Phrase: "The little girl with pigtails"; Verb Phrase: "laughed happily"; Adverbial Phrase: "as she skipped down the path"
EXERCISE 4
Identify the type of phrase(s) in each of the following sentences:
1. Under the bright moon, the owl hooted loudly.
2. The old man with a cane walked slowly down the narrow path.
3. After finishing her homework, Sarah went to the library to read a book.
4. In the middle of the crowded room, the children played happily.
5. The delicious aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the kitchen.
Answers:
1. Prepositional Phrase: "Under the bright moon"; Noun Phrase: "the owl"; Verb Phrase: "hooted loudly."
2. Adjective Phrase: "The old man with a cane"; Verb Phrase: "walked slowly down the narrow path."
3. Adverbial Phrase: "After finishing her homework"; Noun Phrase: "Sarah"; Verb Phrase: "went to the library to read a book."
4. Prepositional Phrase: "In the middle of the crowded room"; Noun Phrase: "the children"; Verb Phrase: "played happily."
5. Noun Phrase: "The delicious aroma of freshly baked cookies"; Verb Phrase: "filled the kitchen."