A group of related words in a sentence that imparts the meaning of a sentence is known as a phrase. There is neither subject nor object in a phrase which means it cannot be used alone. The phrase is always used in the sentence to make it meaningful.
A phrase is a gathering of words that stand all together syntactic unit, commonly as a feature of a proviso or a sentence.
A phrase doesn’t contain a subject and action word and, thus, can’t pass on a total idea. A phrase diverges from a provision. A statement contains a subject and action word, and it can pass on a total thought.
Phrase and proviso are the main components of English grammar. phrase and proviso cover everything a sentence has. Statements are the focal point of sentences and phrases fortify the sentences to get important. In the event that the statements are the mainstays of a structure, the phrase is the blocks. A phrase ordinarily is consistently present inside a provision, however, a phrase can’t have a statement in it.
Seven Types of Phrases in English
There are seven types of phrases:
- Noun phrases
- Verb phrases
- Prepositional phrases
- Infinitive phrases
- Participle phrases
- Gerund phrases
- Absolute phrases
1. Noun phrases
The phrases which contain a noun and at least one associated modifier. The entire noun phrase acts as a noun and the modifier can prefix or suffix the noun.
2. Verb Phrases
The phrase containing multiple verbs. This type of phrase usually has a main verb or verb and then auxiliary verbs. We also know auxiliary verbs by another name -helping verbs.
3. Prepositional Phrase
The phrase which contains preposition and the object of a preposition. The object of the preposition could be a noun or a pronoun. You can also expect modifiers in such phrases to describe the object of the preposition.
4. Infinitive Phrase
The phrase which plays different roles in a sentence is known as an infinitive phrase. You can expect an infinitive verb to play the role of a noun, adverb, or adjective.
5. Participle Phrase
Participle phrase takes the form of an adjective in the sentence. It starts with either present participle or past participle associated with few modifiers and associated words. The present participle ends with -ing and the past participle ends with -ed.
6. Gerund Phrase
They are similar to participle phrases that always end with -ing and have associated modifiers in some cases. But they always function as nouns as compared to Participle phrases that act as adjectives.
7. Absolute Phrase
A phrase containing a noun or a pronoun is known as an absolute phrase. It usually has additional associative words and modifiers. This phrase not only modifies a single word, but a whole clause, or even a whole sentence. The absolute phrase does not makeup into a complete sentence or clause and is generally separated by commas.
Examples of Phrases
| White velvet scarf | Has taken | Damaged by the wind | Her face expressing happiness |
| Big, clean house | On time | Telling us a story | Dishes neatly done |
| New pink bicycle | Towards the right | Listening the music | His eyes always following her |
| Brown heels | Above the cupboard | Writing a book | In the dark woods |
| is playing | At the end of the concert | Sleeping before 9pm | A road trip in summer |
| Have been studying | Behind the tree | Watering the plants | To watch the match |
| Must write | After breakfast | Baking the cake | When the sun rises |
Examples of Sentences using Phrases:
- She was wearing a white velvet scarf.
- My friend lives near a green flowery garden.
- Girl was riding her new pink bicycle.
- My brother gifted me brown heels on my birthday.
- Sheetal is playing with her friends.
- Rekha has been studying since morning.
- You must write to your mother a letter as soon as possible.
- My mother-in-law has taken some of the best things from my wardrobe.
- After a long run, we were able to catch the train on time.
- Police were looking for a thief in the shop, but the thief turned towards the right of the shop.
- She hid her brother’s surprise gift above the cupboard.
- All were praising her performance at the end of the concert.
- I always feel sleepy after breakfast.
- Whole outdoor setup was damaged by the wind.
- Mother was doing household chores while telling us a story.
- Please water the plants while listening to music.
- Rohan was writing a book.
- Sleeping before 9 pm has become my habit.
- Watering the plants is our gardener’s chore.
- Baking the cake has become my favorite thing.
- He goes for a walk when the sun rises.
- We are going on a road trip in summer.