Skip to main content

Phrase

 A phrase is a group of words that stand together as a single unit, but it is missing the most important engine of a sentence.

 A phrase does not have a subject-verb combination. Because it lacks this combination, it can never stand alone as a complete sentence. It only makes sense when attached to a larger sentence.

  • Example: "in the garden" (no subject, no verb). Who is in the garden? What are they doing?

  • Example: "the tall dark stranger" (Has a subject, but no verb.) What did the stranger do?

  • Example: “is studying for exams”  (Has a verb, but no object). Who is studying?

There are 5 Main Types of phrases.

Just like single words have jobs (Parts of Speech), phrases also take on specific jobs in a sentence.

1. Noun Phrase

It acts entirely as a Noun. It contains a noun and its modifiers (adjectives/articles).

  • Most of the time, you could replace the whole phrase with "It" or "Someone".

  • Example: The spotted brown dog barked loudly. (It barked loudly).

  • Example: I love reading old comic books.


  1. And/or between two Nouns: 

    1. They were given food and clothing.

    2. Men and money, they have none

    3. We are flesh and blood.

    4. In life one must suffer weal and woe.

    5. Keep God in mind through thick and thin.

    6. He is your friend or foe.

  2. Preposition between two Nouns: 

    1. He was a lover of his country.

    2. His devotion to duty is praiseworthy.

    3. Sense of duty is a noble virtue.

    4. He is a man of words.

    5. She is a jewel of a girl.

  3. Two nouns simultaneously: 

    1. I have lost my gold ring .

    2. He has iron determination.

    3. This is our mother tongue.

    4. Let’s go to Darjeeling during summer vacation.

  4. Adjective before a Noun: 

    1. Which is your drawing room.

    2. There was a long wordy warfare between them.

    3. I met him in the dining hall.

  5. Noun phrases start with infinitive verbs:

    1. He likes to eat mangoes.

    2. I tried to get the sum right.

    3. To rise early is good for health.

Most of the phrases with infinitive verbs are the object/subject of the main verb.

  1. Noun phrases start with Gerund:

    1. I enjoy playing cricket.

    2. I like seeing people happy.

    3. Winning a game isn’t the important thing.

    4. Lamenting for misfortune is human nature.

    5. Dreaming rosy dreams will not help you.

2. Adjective Phrase

It acts as an Adjective to describe a noun or pronoun. It usually comes right after the noun it describes.

  • Example: A man of great wealth bought the house. (Means: A wealthy man).

  • Example: The girl in the blue dress is my sister.


  1. Present participle + preposition:

    1. The trees standing on the riverbank are all bending under the weight of fruit.

    2. Such an act is deserving of the highest praise.

    3. The voice of Atif Aslam is pleasing to the ear.

  2. Past participle + preposition:

    1. He is lost in thought.

    2. Elon is possessed of unparalleled wealth.

  3. Only with preposition:

    1. Life without health is a load.

    2. India is rich in minerals.

    3. He has a friend to help him.

  4. During comparison:

    1. His eyes are as red as roses.

    2. The bed is as soft as down.

    3. The bag is light as a feather.

3. Adverb Phrase

It acts as an Adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It tells us how, when, where, or why.

  • Example: He drove the car at a very high speed. (How? Adverb phrase of manner).

  • Example: I will meet you in a few minutes. (When? Adverb phrase of time).


  1. Place:

    1. The beggar is begging from door to door.

    2. The accident occurred on this spot.

    3. Ram run at a great speed.

    4. They live in a foreign country 

  2. Time:

    1. He disobeyed my order again and again.

    2. The thief will be caught on time.

    3. He learns English off and on.

  3. Method/type/reason:

    1. I have read your book through and through.

    2. He abused the man without any reason.

    3. He tried heart and soul for success.

    4. The price of gas is rising by leaps and bounds/rapidly.


4. Verb Phrase/Verbal Phrase

This consists of the main verb and all its helping verbs (auxiliaries).

  • Example: She has been studying all night.

  • Example: You should have called me.

5. Prepositional Phrase

It begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition). (Note: Prepositional phrases usually act as either Adjective or Adverb phrases!)

  • Example: 

    • The book is on the wooden table.

    • There is lovely garden in front of the house

    • In the name of patriotism, he has captured power.

Comments

Post a Comment