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 .
Examples –
One of my colleagues always help other . ( As Noun subject )
Practicing grammar is good for your examination. ( As noun subject )
He bought a dream house recently. ( As noun object )
More than one Noun Phrase in a sentence –
One of my childhood friends gave me a blue shirt .
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.
I visited the workshop today .
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 .
