Phrase With Definitions, Types And Examples In English Grammar

Many English speakers enjoy incorporating phrases into their sentences. This article will explore phrases in depth, covering their meanings, definitions, various types, and usage in sentences. Additionally, it includes examples and practice questions to aid in your learning.

What is the Phrase in English Grammar?

The students left the class in a body. He is on the brink of ruin is an example of the phrase

In the two sentences above, in a body, on the brink of, the meaning of the word group is partially expressed, but not fully expressed. Moreover, each word group is used as a parts of speech. They have no Subject and Finite Verb. These are phrases

Therefore, the group of words which expresses a partial sense of mind, which has no Subject and Finite Verb and which is used as a Parts of Speech is called Phrase.

The phrase takes the names of different Parts of Speech. There are mainly Eight types of Phrases in English:

• Noun Phrase
• Adjective Phrase
• Adverb Phrase
• Preposition Phrase
• Conjunction Phrase

• Participle Phrases

• Gerund Phrases

• Absolute Phrase

Noun Phrase

Phrases that do the work of Noun are called Noun phrases.

Example-

• I don’t know how to swim.

• To swim is a good exercise.

  The first phrase “to swim” is used as the object of the verb know. That is, it is used as a Noun. So to swim is Noun Phrases here. The second phrase “To swim” is the subject of the verb. It is used like Noun. So To swim is Noun Phrases here.

Adjective Phrase

• A phrase that acts as an adjective in a sentence is called an adjective phrase.

  Example-

  He is out and out a gentleman.

  In the sentence above, “out and out” qualifies the Noun in gentleman ie it works like an Adjective. Hence “out and out” Adjective Phrases.

Adverb Phrase

• Phrases that perform the function of Adverb in a Sentence are called Adverb Phrase. 

  Example-

  Sinners suffer in the long run. Here “in the long run” Phrases qualify the Verb suffer and act like Adverb “in the long run” Adverb Phrases.

Preposition Phrase

• Phrases that are used as prepositions in a sentence are called prepositional phrases.

  Example-

  In spite of his illness, he attended the meeting.

  In the sentence above, the “in spite of” phrases sit before the “illness” Noun and express the relationship of illness with the attended verb, that is, these phrases are completing the function of preposition, so “in spite of” prepositional phrases.

Conjunction Phrase

• A phrase that joins two clauses in a sentence is called a conjunction phrase.

  Example-

  I shall come back as soon as I can.

  In the above sentence, the phrases “as soon as” join the two clauses “I shall come back” and “I can” and function as a conjunction. Hence “as soon as” conjunction phrases.

  Note: In addition to the above five types of phrases, there are Verbal Phrases and Interjection Phrases.

Verbal Phrase

• Verbal Phrase is a type of phrase that contains one or more verbs. Verbal Phrases can contain words other than verbs, such as Adverb, Adjective, Noun, Pronoun etc.

The main function of Verbal Phrases is to act as verbs. Also, Verbs in Verbal Phrases can do other things as well, such as:

• Act as a Noun. For example:
  To study is important.  (Here “To study” Phrases are working as Noun.)
• Acting as an Adjective. For example:
  The man walking down the street is my father.  (Here “walking” Phrases are working as Adjectives.)
• Act as an adverb. For example:
  I will go home after eating.  (Here “after eating” Phrases are working as Adverbs.)

Two Types of Verbal Phrases

• Infinitive Phrase is a type of Verbal Phrases that contains an Infinitive. Infinitive is a special type of verb that starts with “to”.
• Participle Phrase is a type of Verbal Phrase that contains a Participle. Participle is a special type of verb that ends with “ing” or “ed”.

Participle Phrases

A participle phrase starts with a participle, which might be a present participle (ending in -ing) or a past participle (ending in -ed). These phrases often include modifiers and related words. It’s important to note that a participle phrase always functions as an adjective within a sentence. Here are some examples of participle phrases:

• We received a call from my aunt today, sharing the good news.
• The house, having been severely damaged by the flood, stood abandoned.
• Please sit down quietly, without causing any noise.

Gerund Phrases

A gerund always ends in “-ing” without exception. Therefore, a gerund phrase includes an “ing” word along with its modifiers, if any. However, participle phrases also feature “-ing” words, so distinguishing between them is essential.

The key difference is that participle phrases act as adjectives, whereas gerund phrases solely function as nouns. Here are some examples to illustrate:

• She is currently writing her memoir.
• Washing the dishes is Alex’s chore.
• Waking up before sunrise had become his habit.

Absolute Phrase

An absolute phrase, consisting of a noun or pronoun accompanied by a participle, offers additional context to a sentence. It can modify an entire clause or sentence rather than just one word. However, it doesn’t function as a complete sentence or clause on its own. Typically set off by commas, it adds depth to the main action. Consider these examples:

• Gazing at the beggar, his face filled with pity, he looked towards him.
• Throughout the match, our eyes never strayed from the ball, our attention fully absorbed.
• Seated on the bed, his clothes meticulously folded beside him, he pondered the day’s events.

Five Examples of Verbal Phrases

• To eat
• Eating
• Having eaten
• Being eaten
• Going to eat
• Having been eaten

Otherwise in Sentences

• Playing football is my hobby.  (Functioning as a Noun in Infinitive Phrases.)

• The boy running down the street is my brother.  (Working as Participle Phrases as Adjectives.)

• I will go home after eating.  (Working as Adverbs as Participle Phrases.)

• He is interested in learning English.  (Infinitive Phrases Functioning as Adjectives.)

• She is going to become a doctor.  (Functioning as a Noun in Infinitive Phrases.)

  Hope these examples help you understand Verbal Phrases better.

What is the Interjection Phrase?

• Interjection Phrases are a type of phrase that contains an Interjection. An interjection is a type of word used to express a particular feeling or emotion.

  The main function of Interjection Phrases is to express a particular feeling or emotion.

Types of Interjection Phrases

Two types of Interjection Phrases

• Simple Interjection Phrases: These types of Interjection Phrases contain only one Interjection. For example:
  
  • Oh, no!
  • Wow!
  • Alas!
  • Hurray!
  • Goodness gracious!
• Complex Interjection Phrases: These types of Interjection Phrases may contain words other than an Interjection. For example:
  
  • Oh, my goodness!
  • For goodness sake!
  • What the heck!
  • Oh, for crying out loud!
  • Good gracious me!

These are just a few examples of the types of phrases found in English grammar. Understanding phrases is important for constructing grammatically correct sentences and conveying precise meaning.

All kinds of phrases in English grammar

• Noun Phrase: An adjective phrase is a combination of words that describe a noun (or pronoun) and that noun. Example: “Big black bidi.”
• Verb Phrase: A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and accompanying verbs with any modifiers or linking words. Example: “She is studying for her exam.”
• Adjective Phrase: An adjective phrase is composed of an adjective and any words that describe or modify it. Example: “Very efficient and creative.”
• Adverb Phrase: An adverb consists of an adverb and its linking words. Example: “He spoke very calmly.”
• Prepositional Phrase: A prepositional phrases begins with a prepositional phrase and usually ends with a noun or pronoun, which determines the prepositional phrase. Example: “He sat on the chair.”
• Gerund Phrase: A gerund phrases is made up of a gerund (a verb that ends in -ing and acts like a noun or for) and the linking words that accompany that gerund. Example: “He likes to spend seven days at the lake.”
• Infinitive Phrase: An infinitive phrases is made up of an infinitive verb (a verb that follows a base form) and connecting words that accompany that infinitive verb. Example: “He wants to go to the cinema.”

These are some examples to show the variable parts of sentences of different types of English grammar.

Common phrases in English grammar

• In the middle: Refers to something being located at a point equidistant from the edges or extremes.
• By the way: It is used to introduce an additional or incidental point.
• On the other hand: Indicates a contrasting or opposing point or perspective.
• In the meantime: Refers to the period of time between two events or actions.
• According to: Indicates that information or a statement is based on a particular source or authority.
• As a matter of fact: Used to emphasize the truth or reality of a statement.
• In conclusion: Signals the end or final point of a discussion or argument.
• On the contrary: Indicates a statement that is opposite or contrary to what has been previously mentioned.
• As far as I know: It is used to express the extent of one’s knowledge on a particular matter.
• By all means: Indicates complete agreement or permission to do something.
• In addition: Introduces an extra or supplementary item or point.
• On the whole: Refers to the overall or general view of a situation or topic.
• For instance: It is used to provide a specific example or illustration.
• In a nutshell: Represents a brief summary or concise explanation of something.
• As a result: Indicates the consequence or outcome of a particular action or event.

These are just a few examples of common phrases used in English grammar. There are many more phrases that serve different purposes in conveying meaning and adding clarity to sentences.