INDEX

ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................ 2
TOPIC I .............................................................................................................. 3
PHRASES .......................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Definitions ................................................................................................. 3
1.2. Characteristic............................................................................................ 3
1.3. Phrases vs. Clauses .................................................................................... 4
TOPIC II ............................................................................................................. 5
KINDS OF PHRASE ........................................................................................... 5
2.1. Noun Phrase ............................................................................................... 5
2.2. Verb Phrase ................................................................................................ 5
2.3. Adjective phrase .......................................................................................... 6
2.4. Adverbial phrase ......................................................................................... 6
2.5. Gerund phrase ............................................................................................ 7
2.6. Infinitive phrase ........................................................................................... 8
2.7. Appositive phrase ........................................................................................ 8
2.8. Participle phrase .......................................................................................... 8
2.9. Prepositional Phrase ................................................................................... 9
2.10. Absolute phrase ........................................................................................ 9
TOPIC III .......................................................................................................... 10
EXAMPLES OF KINDS OF PHRASES ............................................................ 10
BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................... 14
LINCOGRAPHY ............................................................................................... 14
ANNEXS........................................................................................................... 15
ABSTRACT

In the following monograph work we will talk about phrases. It is important

for us to know about phrases and to be able to distinguish between words
and clauses. While clauses are larger units that always contain at least one
subject and one verb, phrases are smaller parts of the sentence. This
knowledge is essential to not confuse English grammar.

Also, we will present its characteristics, types, its function within sentences
and examples that will help us differentiate each type.

we hope it will please readers.

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TOPIC I

PHRASES

1.1. Definitions
“A phrase is a grammatical term referring to a group of words that does not
include a subject and verb” (Simmons, 2014)
A phrase is a small group of words that forms a meaningful unit within a clause.
Phrases in a sentence are a group of words that act as a part of a speech but
cannot stand alone in order to form a complete sentence because they do not
include both a subject and a predicate. However, the words in a phrase work
together in a manner that entails that they can function as a single part of speech,
i.e. together the words in a phrase can form a noun, verb, adverb or adjective.
Examples of phrases are:
 over the moon.
 on the roof.
 in the corner.
 under the bed.
A phrase is any group of related words that, unlike a sentence, has no subject-
predicate combination. The words in a phrase act together so that the phrase
itself functions as a single part of speech. For example, some phrases act as
nouns, some as verbs, some as adjectives or adverbs. Remember that
phrases can’t stand alone as sentences. (Herring, 2016)

1.2. Characteristic

- A phrase is made up of a head (or headword)—which determines the

grammatical nature of the unit—and one or more optional modifiers.

- A phrase is commonly characterized as a grammatical unit at a level

between a word and a clause.

- Phrases are groups of words

- Phrases do not contain a finite verb (e.g. I, we, you, he, she, they, etc.)

- Phrases may contain a non-finite verb such as a participle, a gerund or an

infinitive.

- Phrases are unable to convey a definite meaning, but they do

communicate a disconnected idea.

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 - Phrases cannot stand alone. In order to be grammatically correct, they
should always be part of a larger sentence.

1.3. Phrases vs. Clauses

A phrase is any group of words that does not contain a subject completing an
action.

When a group of words contains a subject doing an action (subject-verb), it

becomes a clause.
Example:
 meal (word)
 after the meal (phrase)
 that mom prepared (clause)
 After the meal that mom prepared I felt full. (sentence)
 After the meal that mom prepared, I felt full because I ate too much.
(complex sentence)
 After the meal that mom prepared I felt full, but my brother was still hungry.
(compound sentence)

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TOPIC II

KINDS OF PHRASE

2.1. Noun Phrase

Noun phrases consist of a noun and its modifiers.
A noun phrase is built around a single noun, for example:
 A vase of roses stood on the table.

 She was reading a book about the emancipation of women.

A noun phrase consists of a noun plus any determiners or modifiers directly
related to it. Noun phrases always have the grammatical function of nouns in a
sentence.

2.2. Verb Phrase

Verb phrases consist of a verb and its modifiers.
A verb phrase is the verbal part of a clause, for example:
 She had been living in London.

 I will be going to college next year.

A verb phrase can either be made up of an auxiliary verb and its main verb, or a
verb plus any modifiers, objects, or complements. * Verb phrases are used to
form perfect or continuous verb tenses, to express modality, or as part (or all) of
the predicate.

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2.3. Adjective phrase
An adjective phrase works as an adjective within a sentence.
An adjective phrase is built around an adjective, for example:
 He’s led a very interesting life.

 A lot of the kids are really keen on football.

It contains an adjective, some relevant determiners and modifiers, and a word
that modifies a noun or pronoun. The function of this phrase is to work as a verb,
noun, preposition, adverb, or an adjective. The role of the phrase in writing
depends upon its construction.

2.4. Adverbial phrase

Adverbial phrases are phrases that act as adverbs. They modify verbs, adverbs,
or adjectives.

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An adverbial phrase is built round an adverb by adding words before and/or after
it, for example:
 The economy recovered very slowly.

 They wanted to leave the country as fast as possible.

An adverbial phrase may consist of an adverb plus any determiners and
supplemental information, or an adverb plus an adverb of degree, or an adverbial
prepositional phrase. (Prepositional phrases are so often adverbial that they are
commonly included in definitions of adverbial phrases.)

2.5. Gerund phrase

Gerund phrases are essentially noun phrases that begin with a gerund.
A gerund phrase is formed when a gerund (the “-ing” form of a verb used as a
noun) is accompanied by any modifiers and/or objects. The entire phrase
functions as a noun, meaning it can be the subject of a clause or an object of a
verb or preposition.

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2.6. Infinitive phrase
Infinitive phrases begin with a verb infinitive and include any modifiers. Infinitive
phrases function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
An infinitive phrase contains an infinitive, which is a combination of (to+ simple
verb form), with or without other words, and modifiers associated with that
infinitive. It always works as a noun, adjective or adverb within a sentence.

2.7. Appositive phrase

An appositive phrase is a noun phrase that serves to describe or rename another
noun that appears directly before it in a sentence. Appositive phrases are usually
(but not always) non-restrictive, meaning they provide information that is not
essential to the meaning of the sentence, and are separated from the rest of the
sentence by one or two commas.
Example:
The tree, a tall redwood, was beautiful.
The curtains were made of lace, a beautiful and delicate fabric.
The office, an old Georgian building, badly needed repairs.

2.8. Participle phrase

A participle phrase begins with a present (-ing) or past (-ed) participle. A participle
phrase includes the participle and its modifiers. Participle phrases function as
adjectives.

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2.9. Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that includes a preposition and a noun.
A prepositional phrase will function as either an adjective or an adverb.
Example
 before church

 under the stairs

In a prepositional phrase the preposition always comes at the beginning, for
example:
 I longed to live near the sea.

 The dog was hiding under the kitchen table.

2.10. Absolute phrase

An absolute phrase or absolute construction is a grammatically independent
group of words that modify or add information to the entire sentence. It is usually
made up of a noun or pronoun and a participle, along with any modifiers or objects
of the participle.
Absolute phrases usually appear at the beginning or end of a sentence to add
descriptive information or provide a final comment on the sentence as a whole.
They can also appear in the middle of the sentence to emphasize the additional
information. They are always set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas
or dashes.

Example
 The students having left early, I decided to catch up on some grading.

 I hope to get into Harvard next year—God willing

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  The teacher, her students having left early, decided to catch up on some
grading

TOPIC III

EXAMPLES OF KINDS OF PHRASES

3.1. Noun Phrases

 The bewildered tourist was lost.

 The lost puppy was a wet and stinky dog.

 The flu clinic

 It was a story as old as time.

 The sports car drove the long and winding road

 Saturday became a cool, wet afternoon.

 I like to swing the bat hard when I am at the crease.

 Reading novels is a good habit.

 The probability of happening that match is not much.

 We are sorry for her departure.

3.2. Adjective Phrases

 Alex is a well-behaved man.

 He is a man of friendly nature.

 Julie is a woman of gorgeous style.

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  She leads a very interesting life.

 A lot of people do not sleep at night.

 She gave me a cup full of tea

3.3. Verb Phrases

 He was waiting for the rain to stop

 She was upset when it didn't boil

 You have been sleeping for a long time.

 You might enjoy a massage.

 He was eager to eat dinner.

3.4. Adverb Phrases

 The horse runs at a good speed.

 I was in a hurry then.

 I ran as fast as possible.

 He works very slowly.

 They walked along the Wall.

3.5. Gerund Phrases

 Taking my dog for a walk is fun.

 Walking in the rain can be difficult.

 Strolling along a beach at sunset is romantic.

 Getting a promotion is exciting.

 Signing autographs takes time.

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 Going for ice cream is a real treat.

 Singing for his supper was how he earned his keep.

 Getting a sore back was the result of the golf game.

 Pulling an all-nighter did not improve his test scores.

 Sailing into the sunset was the perfect end to the book.

3.6. Infinitive Phrases

 To make lemonade, you have to start with lemons

 I tried to see the stage

 She organized a boycott to make a statement.

 To see Niagara Falls

 He really needs to get his priorities in order

 The company decided to reduce hours for everyone.

 To donate time or money

 I went to Spain to study the language and culture.

3.7. Appositive Phrases

 My favorite pastime, needlepoint, surprises some people.

 Her horse, an Arabian, was her pride and joy.

 My wife, the love of my life, is also my best friend.

 A cheetah, the fastest land animal, can run 70 miles an hour.

 My idea, a recycling bin for the office, was accepted by the boss.

 The Florida panther, the state animal of Florida, is an endangered

species.

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3.8. Participial Phrases

 Washed with my clothes, my cell phone no longer worked.

 Knowing what I know now, I wish I had never come here.

 I am really excited, considering all the people that will be there.

 We are looking forward to the movie, having seen the trailer last week.

 Grinning from ear to ear, she accepted her award.

 The happy dog ran the entire length of the park, pausing only to sniff the

dandelions.

 Painted a brilliant white, the small room appeared bigger.

 The lake, frozen over all winter, was finally thawing.

3.9. Prepositional Phrases

 The book was on the table.

 We camped by the brook.

 He knew it was over the rainbow.

 She was lost in the dark of night.

 He was between a rock and a hard place.

 I waited for a while.

 She smelled of strawberries and cream.

 He won the challenge against all odds.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ansell, M. (200). Free English Grammar. Second Edition. Copyright

Eastwood, J. (2002). Oxford Guide to English Grammar. New York.
Herring, P. (2016). Complete English Grammar Rules. Farlex International

LINCOGRAPHY

Simmons, R. (2014). The Phrase. Recovered of:

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/phrase.pdf

WRITING EXPLAINED. What is a Phrase? Recovered of:

https://writingexplained.org/grammar-dictionary/phrase

https://www.learngrammar.net/english-grammar/phrase

https://www.toppr.com/guides/english/vocabulary/types-of-phrases/

https://www.lexico.com/en/grammar/phrases

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ANNEXS

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