PHRASES

Typically a grammatical unit consists of one or more elements on the level below. For
example, a sentence consists of one or more clauses; a clause consists of one or more
phrases; a phrase consists of one or more words; a word consists of one or more
morphemes.
Language forms do not just consist of sequences of words put together like beads on a
string; they can be broken down into units (or constituents), which can be analysed
hierarchically into successively smaller units. Thus, the focus of this chapter will be on
phrases.
A phrase is a sequence of words that serve a particular function in a clause.
Main characteristics of phrases (Biber, Conrad and Leech, 2002:38-39)

A phrase may consist of a single word or a group of words:

[Alex] [ bought] [a bottle of wine.]
NP
VP
NP

Phrases can be identified by substitution and movement tests, i.e. a phrase can be
moved as a unit to a different position:

[Alex] [ bought][a bottle of wine.]

He
did
something.

[Alex] [ bought][a bottle of wine.]

[A bottle of wine] [ was bought][by Alex.]

Differences in phrase structure show up differences of meaning:

[1] (They) (passed) (the table (with ( the two men).

[2] They passed (the table) (with the two men).
While in [1+ the meaning is They passed the table where the two men were sitting, in [2]
the meaning is with (i.e. accompanied by) the two men, they passed the table.

Phrase types differ both in their internal structure and in their syntactic roles. Thus,
recognizing syntactic roles, like subject and object, can be crucial for the
interpretation of phrases.

Classification of Phrases according to their function:

Noun phrases [NP]

A noun phrase is a structural unit comprised of a noun (the head element) either alone or
accompanied by any additional elements modifying the nouns meaning in some way. These
elements may be determiners (they specify the reference of a noun) or modifiers (they
describe or classify the entity denoted by the head noun).
[My mother] made [a delicious cake] [for my sister] [last night]
[My mother]
[[a delicious cake]
[for my sister]
[last night]

Subject [NP]
Direct object [NP]
Indirect object [NP]
Adverb [NP]

[Most of my classmates] consider [our school] [a prestigious institution]

[Most of my classmates]

Subject [NP]

[our school]
[a prestigious institution]

Direct object [NP]

Object complement [NP]

[Walter] is [my best friend]

[Walter]

Subject [NP]

[My best friend]

Subject complement [NP]

[The children] are playing in [the garden]

[The children]

Subject [NP]

[the garden]

Object of the preposition in[NP]

(C prep.)

[This book, [a long novel about politics]], will never be [a best seller].
[This book, a long novel
about politics,]
[a long novel about

Subject [NP]
*Apposition [NP]

politics]
[a best seller]

Subject complement [NP]

* A noun phrase in apposition is a phrase which explains, identifies, or renames the word/s it
follows.

Verb phrases [VP]

A verb phrase contains a head or main verb, either alone or accompanied by one or more
auxiliaries. In other words, a verb phrase is a structure unit containing a lexical verb and any
auxiliaries or particles associated with it.
Charles went to the theatre last weekend.
[VP]
The gardener is cutting the grass.
[VP]
You should have told me about it.
[VP]

Adjectival phrases [AP]

An adjectival phrase generally contains an adjective as head, optionally accompanied by
modifiers, e.g. rather poor, very intelligent, of English.
Your composition is [rather poor].
[rather poor]
Adjectival phrase [AP]

This boy is [very intelligent].

[very intelligent]
Adjectival phrase [AP]

My mother is a teacher [of English].

[of English]
Adjectival phrase [AP]

The girl [in red] is the best student in this group.

[in red]

Adjectival phrase [AP]

After the night outdoors we were happy [to be warm and comfortable].
[to be warm and comfortable]
Adjectival phrase [AP]
Adverbial phrases [AdvP]

An adverbial phrase is a group of words that may or may not contain an adverb, but which function
as a modifier of a verb, an adjective or an adverb.
Alexander went [out of the room] [very quietly]
[out of the room]

Adverbial phrase [Adv.P]

[very quietly]

Adverbial phrase [Adv.P]

We have been living [in this house] [for seven years]

[in this house]

Adverbial phrase [Adv.P]

[for seven years]

Adverbial phrase [Adv.P]

Classification of Phrases according to their structure:

Prepositional phrases [Prep. P]
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition followed by an NP that functions as the
object of a preposition or prepositional complement .
He cut himself [with a knife]
[with a knife]

Prepositional phrase [Prep. P]

The little girl was crying [in her bedroom]

[in her bedroom]

Prepositional phrase [Prep. P]

The idea [of the General Committee] is to close the company.

[of the General Committee]

Prepositional phrase [Prep. P]

There are a number of phrases that function as simple prepositions do. Prepositional phrases
generally introduce adverbial phrases.
We stayed indoors because of the rain.
According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
In spite of the great depth of the ocean, many shipwrecks are found.
On account of so much competition in the government, you just cant depend on
the companys honesty.
Due to your egotism, quite a few people dont like you.
Except for a couple of friends, nobody was present in the wedding ceremony.
Some common prepositional phrases are:
according to
apart from
as a result of
as far as
because of
by means of
by way of
contrary to

due to
except for
for the purpose of
for the sake of
in accordance with
in addition to
in case of
in connection with

in favour of
in reference to
in terms of
in spite of
on account of
owing to
regardless of
with regard to

Infinitive phrases [Inf. P]

An infinitive phrase contains an infinitive as head, optionally accompanied by complements.
I love [to go shopping]
[to go shopping]

Infinitive phrase [Inf. P]

[To stay at home] was a great idea.

[To stay at home]

Infinitive phrase [Inf. P]

I phoned Miriam [to congratulate her]

[to congratulate her]

Im glad [to be here]
[to be here]

Infinitive phrase [Inf. P]

Infinitive phrase [Inf. P]

Gerundial phrases [Ger. P]

A gerundial phrase contains a gerund as head, optionally accompanied by complements.
It fulfils the functions of a noun.
[Working in these conditions] is unfair.
[Working in these conditions]

Noun phrase in function

(Subject) and gerundial
phrase in structure.

I hate [living in such a cold place]

[living in such a cold place]

Noun phrase in function (direct

object) and gerundial phrase in
structure.

Participial phrases [Part. P]

A participial phrase contains a participle as head, optionally accompanied by
complements. It fulfils the functions of an adjective or an adverb.
The man [painting that beautiful picture] is a very famous artist.
[painting that beautiful picture]

Adjectival phrase in function

and participial phrase in
structure.

The reasons [mentioned above] are the most important ones.

[mentioned above]

Adjectival phrase in function

participial phrase in structure .

and

[Practising daily], she could pass the exam.

[Practising daily]

Adverbial phrase in function

participial phrase in structure.

[Disappointed by his best friend], Roger refused to speak to him.

and

[Disappointed
his best friend]

by

Adjectival phrase in function

participial phrase in structure.

and

SENTENCE / CLAUSE ANALYSIS

My parents

have gone

S [NP]

Vi [VP]

to

his farmhouse
Cprep. [NP]
[Adv. P] [Prep. P]

Playing tennis and handball

Od [NP]
S [NP] [Ger. P]

Going

to the theatre
[Adv.P] [Prep.P]
S [NP] [Ger. P]

The aim

these girls

fit and slim

V C T [VP]

Od [NP]

Co [AP]

a popular activity in

V L [VP]

the course
Cprep. [NP]
[AP] [Prep. P]
S [NP]

To participate

keeps

is

of

is

S [NP]

Vi[VP]

Sheila

Loves

S [NP]

V M T [VP]

at

home
Cprep. [NP]
[Adv. P.] [Prep. P]

eating
VMT

practising

the writing skills

V L [VP]

this championship
Cprep. [NP]
[Adv. P] [Prep. P]
S [NP] [Inf. P.]

Stayed

C S [NP]

Britain
Cprep. [NP]
[Adv. P.] [Prep. P]

VMT

In

We

to breathe
some pure air
VMT
Od [NP]
[Adv. P] [Inf. P.]

Od [NP]
C S [NP] [Ger. P]

was

a good idea

V L [VP]

C S [NP]

due to
the heavy rain
[Prep phrase]
Cprep. [NP]
[Adv. P.] [Prep. P]

fruit and vegetables

Od [NP]
Od [NP] [Ger. P]

He
S [NP]

should have written

V D T [VP]

his parents
Oi [NP]

a message
Od [NP]

Practice Activities
1. Analyse the phrases in the follow ing sentences using diagrams.
1
2

The leaves of the trees will have turned red and yellow by the end of the summer.
3

The castle in the old cave by the river was discovered by the explorers.

My favourite singer is giving a concert in two weeks for the purpose of charity.

Teenagers coming from all parts of the world are coming to the city next month.
5

The two old farmers in blue jeans fishing in the river are catching little fish for their grandchildren.

To be in Mr. Fosters class was to learn the meaning of discipline.

It was impossible to keep her retirement a secret.

8

On returning from Holland, he wrote to the German Embass y about the

country.

incidents in that

9.The protesters were demonstrating against the mistreatment of animals kept on farms.
10.The material from the book about genetic engineering seems quite useful in spite of the
typing mistakes.
11.According to recent statistics, the number of visitors coming to our city has diminished in
the last two years.
12.Buying at this shop requires having a lot of money.
13.Most people in our country like practising sports for the purpose of keeping fit.
14.The children stopped to look into the store window decorated with beautiful ornaments.
15.While reading a magazine at the hairdresser s, I found an interesting article about keeping
fit and slim by doing exercise.
16.B y choosing his words very carefully, the Minister of Economy announced the news to a
group of reporters from the B.B.C. to inform them about the new economic measures to be
taken in the short term.
17.The main advantage of living in the city is the possibility of getting a better education.

18.In the middle of the ocean stands an enormous island surrounded by an incredible
vegetation growing more and more fertile.
19.It was difficult to drive the car without skidding on the ice pavement.
20.It is very wet on account of the heavy rains fallen during the last two days.
2. Use the following key words or ideas to write sentences in which there is the type of
phrase required in each case. Then analyse the phrases using diagrams.
1. Sheila / love / eat / vegetables (NP / Ger. P)
.....................................................................................................
2. work / these conditions / be / quite unfair (AP)
.....................................................................................................
3. Sarah / throw / party / next weekend (NP / {Od})
.....................................................................................................
4. video club / be / third floor (Adv. P / Prep. P)
.....................................................................................................
5. some of my classmates / explain / most difficult exercises / rest of the class (NP {Oi})
.....................................................................................................
6. book / publish / New York / be / a success (AP / Part. P)
.....................................................................................................
7. go out / be / favourite / leisure activity / Britain (NP {C S })
.....................................................................................................
8. work / hard / he / could save / some money / buy a new car (Adv.P / Part.P)
.....................................................................................................
9. They / walk / slowly / ice (Adv. P / Prep. P)
.....................................................................................................
10.I / write / inform / you / latest news (Adv. P / Inf. P)
.....................................................................................................
3. Write sentences of about TEN words in which there is the type of phrase asked for in
each case and underline it.
1. A noun phrase in function (Cs) which is gerundial phrase in structure.
.............................................................................................................................................
2. An adverbial phrase in function in the subject which is infinitive phrase in structure.
..........................................................................................................
3. An adjectival phrase in function in the subject, which is participial phrase in structure.
.........................................................................................................
4. A noun phrase in function (Od) which is gerundial phrase in structure.
..........................................................................................................
5. An adverbial phrase in function in the subject which is prepositional phrase in structure.
..........................................................................................................
6. A noun phrase in function (S) which is gerundial phrase in structure.

..........................................................................................................
7. An adjectival phrase in function which is infinitive phrase in structure.
..........................................................................................................
8. A noun phrase in function (C prep.) which is gerundial phrase in structure.
..........................................................................................................
9.An adverbial phrase in function in the predicate which is infinitive phrase in structure.
..........................................................................................................
10.A noun phrase in function (Cs) which is infinitive phrase in structure.
.............................................................................................................................................
11.A noun phrase in function (appositive)
..........................................................................................................
12.An adjectival phrase in function (adjectival complement) which is infinitive phrase in
structure.
.........................................................................................................
13.A noun phrase in function (Real subject) which is infinitive phrase in structure.
..........................................................................................................
14.A noun phrase in function (Notional subject).
..........................................................................................................
15.A noun phrase in function (Real subject) which is gerundial phrase in structure.
..........................................................................................................
5. Analyse the underlined parts of the sentences in the following texts. You should analyse the basic
clause elements and the phrases. Refer to the function and reference of the words in bold type.

TEXT A
A stay in a hotel is not always a pleasant experience. There are many things
that can ruin an enjoyable visit. Many problems occur in the bathroom.
Instructions for using the shower are usually complicated. Many travellers
get scalded, frozen or soaked while still dressed. Maids appear at
incovenient times, ignoring the Do Not Disturb sign. Free samples of
soap and shampoo give rise to mixed reactions. While some visitors love
these gifts and eagerly take them home, others consider such things a
waste of money and time. All in all, it is not always pleasant to stay in a
hotel.
TEXT B

Most tourists can be recognised by their growing stares, their cameras and,
of course, by their maps. A map seems to be the basic tool of any tourist
travelling around the world. However, there are some significant problems
with maps, as they are often difficult to handle and fold because of their
size. On the other hand, if they are small, they dont have detail to show
us the way to get to our destination. Nowadays, computer technology may
offer a good solution, since it allows us to consult maps on line, which
makes it an extraordinary tool.
For example, by zooming on any street of the city , it is possible
for us to locate the place looked for .
TEXT C
Children at risk from mental illness

A recent study has shown that levels of mental illness in children are rising. It claims that
mental problems such as depression and anxiety are affecting one in five youngsters. One of the
reasons given for this is the current obsessive preoccupation of parents with their childrens
safety. Fearing the worst, parents today consider the streets too dangerous for their children, so
children are taken from home to school and back; parents rarely let them go out on their own.
As a result of parents fears of traffic accidents and anxiety about child molesters on the streets,
children miss the normal adventures of everyday life. Often attacked by bullies, over-anxious
children stay at home where their fears are increased. It is a vicious circle. However, it is a fact
that children could be experiencing these fears unnecessarily. While parents may think a child
molester may put their children at risk round every corner, this is not supported by statistics.
The fear of traffic accidents is certainly more real, but it is a problem that needs to be
addressed. In some cities, there are pedestrian-friendly zones, where cars must give priority to
people and bicycles. Playing more safely becomes possible in these areas.