Phrases and clauses are the most
important elements of English grammar. Phrase and clause cover
everything a sentence has. Clauses are the center of sentences and phrases
strengthen the sentences to become meaningful. If the clauses are the pillars
of a building, the phrases are the bricks. A phrase usually is always present
within a clause, but a phrase cannot have a clause in it
A phrase, therefore, is a group of words which has no finite verb in it
and acts to complete the sentence for making it meaningful.
“A phrase is a small group of words that
form a meaningful unit within a clause.”-Oxford
Dictionary
“In linguistic analysis, a phrase is a
group of words (or possibly a single word) that functions as
a constituent in the syntax of a sentence, a single
unit within the grammatical hierarchy.”-
Osborne, Timothy, Michael Putnam, and Thomas Gross (2011)
The
phrases are generally of several types.
1.2.1.1
Noun Phrase
It is usually assembled centering a single noun and works as a
subject, an object or a complement in the sentence.
Example:
o
I like to swing the bat hard
when I am at the crease. (An object)
o
Reading novels is
a good habit. (A subject)
o
The probability of happening that match is
not much. (A subject)
o
We are sorry for her departure.
1.2.1.2
Adjective Phrase
It is comprised of an adjective and works as a single
adjective in the sentence.
Example:
o
Alex is a well-behaved man.
o
He is a man of
friendly nature.
o
Julie is a woman of gorgeous style.
o
She leads a very
interesting life.
o
A lot of people do not sleep
at night.
1.2.1.3
Adverbial Phrase
It modifies the verb or the adjective and works as an adverb in the sentence.
Example:
o
The horse runs at a good speed.
o
I was in a hurry then.
o
I ran as fast as possible.
o
He works very slowly.
1.2.1.4
Prepositional Phrase
It always begins with a preposition and connects nouns.
Example:
o
He sacrificed his life for the sake of his country.
o
In the end, we all have to die.
o
He is on the way.
o
By working aimlessly, you
will not get success.
o
In spite of working hard, he
was insulted by his boss.
Note: Prepositional phrases include all other types of phrases.
1.2.1.5
Conjunctional Phrase
A conjunctional phrase works as a conjunction in the sentence.
Example:
o
As soon as you got in, he went
out.
o
We have to work hard so that we can win the next match.
o
I will attend the ceremony provided that you come.
o
John started working early in order that he could finish early.
1.2.1.6
Interjectional Phrase
Interjections that have more than one word are called interjectional phrases.
Example:
o
What a pity! He is dead.
o
What a pleasure! I won the first prize.
o
Oh please! Don’t say that again.
1.2.1.7
Absolute Phrase
The
phrases containing Noun or Pronoun accompanied by a participle and necessary
modifiers if any are stated as Absolute Phrases. They modify indefinite classes
and are also called Nominative Phrases.
Examples:
o
Weather permitting, I will join the party.
o
God willing, he’ll pass the test this time.
o
The hot Summer sun having set, we
left for the movie
1.2.1.8
Appositive Phrase
An appositive is a Noun or Pronoun often accompanied by
modifiers that sit beside another Noun or Pronoun to describe it. An Appositive
Phrase is a set of words containing an Appositive and it follows or precedes
the Noun or Pronoun it identifies or explains.
Examples:
o
My school friend, Brooks always bunked
classes.
o
His colleague, Mr. Robinson likes
his tea.
o
Jeremy, the police officer on duty, wrote
the speeding ticket.
1.2.1.9
Participle Phrase
It
is made of a participle, its modifier(s) and/or the objects that complete the
sense of the sentence.
Examples:
o
Walking fast, I keep looking left and right.
o
Climbing the stairs, she waved at us.
o
I looked back, starting the engine.
1.2.1.10
Gerund Phrase
These
contain a Gerund, its modifier(s) and the other necessary elements. They
function as Nouns just like Gerunds themselves and that means they can be
Subjects and Objects of the sentences.
Examples:
o
Eating plenty of grapes in one sitting is
a bad idea.
o
Doing the dishes gives me cold allergies.
o
I hate hurrying
right before the deadline.
1.2.1.11
Infinitive Phrase
These
are comprised of infinitive verbs (To + base verb)along with their modifiers
and/or complements.
Examples:
o
We love to cook together.
o
He likes to solve math problems too much.
o
Rina walks fast to be there on time.