What is a Phrase ?
A Phrase is a group of words which has no infinite verb and can be a part of a sentence . It is a useful part of a sentence to express the complete meaning of the sentence. It is a meaningful unit of a clause .
Types of Phrase -:
1 . Absolute Phrase -: The phrase which has a Noun or a Pronoun with a Participle and may be a necessary modifier , is called Absolute Phrase . It can modify a complete sentence.
Examples –
Situation favouring, We will win the match .
We , preparing for the match , gave all our efforts .
2 . Appositive Phrase – This is a Phrase that renames or indicates an earlier Noun or Pronoun . It can be a Noun or Pronoun often accompanied by modifiers that sits beside another Noun or Pronoun to describe it . So it can be a Noun Phrase. But it can be other types of Phrases also . This is used to provide extra information in a sentence.
Examples –
Rohit , My childhood friend, talks with me regularly. ( Noun Phrase – Appositive )
My father, a very helpful person, always tries to help others . ( Noun Phrase – Appositive )
Our wish , to get success in life , is our inspiration. ( Infinitive Phrase – Appositive )
His special skill, nurturing the plants properly, makes him a successful owner of a greenhouse. ( Participle Phrase – Appositive )
3 . Noun Phrase – It is a Phrase that acts like a Noun and can acts like a subject, an object or a complement in the sentence . It comprises noun and words that modify it.
Types and Examples-
i . One of my colleagues always helps others . ( As Noun subject )
Practicing grammar is good for your examination. ( As noun subject )
ii. He bought a dream house recently. ( As noun object )
iii .More than one Noun Phrase in a sentence –
One of my childhood friends gave me a blue shirt .
iv . Nouns Phrase as object of a preposition –
It is very difficult to solve the problem.
 We are great supporters of Mesi’s skill.
Here the bold words are Noun Phrases and these are objects of prepositions – of and to.
v. Noun Phrase as Subject Complement –
These are used to rename or modify the subject .
My children are the best gift of my life.
He is the best friend of my life.
Here the bold words are Noun Phrases that are modifying the subjects – My children and he.
vi. Noun Phrase as Object Complement –
I will announce him the captain of the team.
Everyone selected her a good contender for the crown.
Here bold words are Noun Phrases that are used to modify the objects – him and her.
Not only that Noun Phrase can also be divided in –
1. Apposite Phrase
2 . Gerund Phrase
3. Infinitive Phrase
These are described differently in detail in this chapter.
4 . Adjective Phrase – This is a Phrase that acts as an adjective in a sentence . It modifies the meaning of a Noun or Pronoun.
Examples –
It is a book of authentic information. My father is a person of helpful nature .
This machine uses impressive techniques.
5. Adverbial Phrase – This is a Phrase that acts as an Adverb and modifies a Verb or an Adjective or any other Adverb .
Examples –
The man works with great skill .
He can solve these sums very sharply .
He sanctioned my loan as early as possible.
Like adverb, adverbial phrase can also be divided into – adverbial phrase of time, adverbial phrase of place, adverbial phrase of manner, adverbial phrase of purpose or reason.
i. Adverbial Phrase of time –
She will reach there in a minute.
He was playing cricket at that moment .
He is playing at this moment.
I went there and she was busy that moment.
In above sentences all the bold words are Adverbial Phrase of time and tells us when something happens or happened or will happen.
In last three examples ‘at that moment’ means ‘then’ ; ‘at this moment’ means ‘now’ ; ‘that moment’ means ‘when‘.
ii. Adverbial Phrase of place –
The meeting will happen at school’s conference room .
They are selling door to door.
It will be available at all places.
The bold words are indicating Adverbial Phrase of place and tells us where something takes place or happened or will happen .
iii. Adverbial Phrase of manner –
The boy was performing very brilliantly.
Every one was waiting with great patience.
Bold words are Adverbial Phrase of manner and indicates that how something happens or happened or will happen.
iv. Adverbial Phrase of reason or purpose –
He organized the party to celebrate the success.
She prepared throughout the year in order to get the job.
Bold words are Adverbial Phrase of reason or purpose and indicates the reason or purpose for which something happens or happened or will happen.
6 . Verb Phrase – This is formed with a main Verb and helping Verb or Auxiliary Verb within a sentence .
Examples –
He is playing now.
You can do the job.
It may be raining today.
I might present tomorrow .
7 . Prepositional Phrase – This Phrase always starts with a Preposition and connects the sentence with a Noun .
Examples –
In the end , it was all good .
The manager worked hard for the sake of his company .
In spite of losing the game, they have won our hearts .
The students looked at the monitor .
We met with each other after a long time .
We need to work according to the situation.
8 . Conjunctional Phrase – This Phrase acts as a Conjunction in a sentence.
Examples –
They have to complete the project so that they can be shortlisted for the seminar .
As soon as they sanction my leave, I will visit my house .
9. Interjectional Phrase – These are Interjections having more than one word.
Examples – My goodness ! How can he perform this ?
See you soon ! Take care .
What a pleasure! My father has achieved the award .
10 . Participle Phrase– This Phrase is formed with a combination of a Participle , its modifier and / or other objects . It is a Verbal Phrase .
Examples –
Working hard, she finished the work for us .
Presenting the show, he really grabbed the deal .
Broken badly , the glass can’t be modified.
11. Gerund Phrase – This type of Phrase is a combination of a Gerund, its modifier and other elements to function as a Noun . This can be a subject or an object in a sentence .It is a Verbal Phrase.
Examples –
Starting earlier is preferable. ( Noun subject )
Planning properly is necessary to get success. ( Noun subject )
I like utilizing the opportunity. ( Noun object )
12 . Infinitive Phrase – This type of Phrase is formed with an infinitive verb ( to + base verb ) , its modifier and / or other complements . It is a Verbal Phrase.
Examples – I like to enjoy the moment .
They prepared well to get success.
Infinitives can be used with other words to form Infinitive Phrase . Some additional words are used to modify the main infinitive .
In this case the doer of the action is known as the actor .
Examples – The team planned to win matches .
Here ‘ the team ‘ is an actor.
Sometimes an actor can be a Pronoun and used as an object, though there can be a direct object included in the Infinitive Phrase.
They told him to attend the meeting .
Here ‘ him ‘ is a pronoun and an object . ‘ the meeting ‘ is the direct object and included in the Infinitive Phrase.
Some verbs use actors sometimes but not other times , like – need, ask, expect, want, like .
Example– I expect you to do the job perfectly .
I expect the job to be done perfectly.
Here in first sentence ‘ you ‘ is an actor but in second sentence there is no actor .
