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Phrase:

A Phrase is a group of words which has no subject and no predicate of its own but gives some meaning on its own and forms a part of a large group of words which is either a clause or a sentence.

e.g.

Jane is standing at the table near the window.

‘at the table’ = a phrase        ‘near the window’ = a phrase

In this sentence ‘at the table’ is a phrase: it gives us some idea where Jane is standing, but on its own it cannot give us complete sense, in other words, without the other group of words “Jane is standing…”, we cannot understand what this group of words stands for.

There are several different kinds of PHRASES – categorical and functional.

We, at this basic level, limit ourselves to some of the most important ones that help us in understanding the Sentence building.

The common kinds of Phrases are (categorical):

noun phrase

prepositional phrase

appositive phrase

absolute phrase

infinite phrase

gerundial phrase

participle phrase

Different grammarians use different names for the same kind or the function of a group of words; therefore, we are advised not be confused over the names given to it, but to pay attention to the actual function and the purpose it serves.

We will understand those differences better when we have learned the following simple rules and important points

The common kinds we discuss now are (functional):

Noun phrase

Adjective phrase

adverb phrase

The Noun Phrase: does the work of a noun…

e.g.

We never expected defeat.     (‘defeat’ – noun)

We never expected to lose the match.

(‘to lose the match’ — noun phrase – with ‘to-infinitive’)

The Adjective Phrase: does the work of an adjective…

e.g.

he is a famous woman.   (‘famous – adjective)

She is a woman of great fame.   (‘of great fame’ — adjective phrase – prepositional phrase)

The Participle phrase: does the work of a participle…

[go-went-gone-going = ‘gone’ is the Past Participle form and ‘going’ is the Present Participle form of the verb word “go”]

e.g.

The thief jumped over the wall.  He ran away.

Jumping over the wall, the thief ran away.

(‘Jumping over the wall’ — present participle phrase)

The noise frightened the baby.   It started to cry.

(‘frightened’ — main verb – simple past tense)  (frighten – frightened – frightened)

Frightened by the noise, the baby started to cry.

(‘Frightened by the noise’ – participle phrase  (frighten – frightened – frightened)

For more on position of ‘Participle Phrases’, refer to SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT.

Adverb phrase: does the work of an adverb…

e.g.

He drove away quickly.  (‘quickly’ – adverb)

He drove away with great speed.

(‘with great speed’ — adverb phrase)

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