Types of Phrases

A phrase is a group of words within a sentence that works together to complement its overall structure.

A phrase does not contain a subject and an object and therefore cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, as it cannot convey a complete thought.

It mostly consists of a preposition, an article or a noun, e.g., on a table, at the door, in a box, on the roof.

Examples:

• I saw a joker in the street.

Within a sentence, a phrase can function as a noun, an adjective, a preposition, or an adverb. Its function depends on its construction and position within the sentence. Based on its function, phrases are classified into several types: 1) Noun Phrase, 2) Verb Phrase, 3) Adjective Phrase, 4) Adverb Phrase, 5) Gerund Phrase, 6) Infinitive Phrase, 7) Prepositional Phrase, and 8) Absolute Phrase.

1. Noun Phrase

A phrase that acts as a noun in a sentence is called a noun phrase. It consists of a noun and other related words (usually determiners and modifiers) which modify the noun.

The noun phrase comprises a noun as the head-word, and other related words (determiners and modifiers) may come before or after the noun. The entire phrase acts as a noun in a sentence.

Noun Phrase = noun + modifiers (or determiners)

Examples:

• They hired a huge beautiful house. (as noun: object).
• She bought a decent black shirt. (as noun: object).
• One of our close relatives never drinks coffee. (as noun: subject).
• A woman in the window shouted for help. (as noun: subject).

A sentence can also consist of more than one noun phrase.

Example:

• One of our close relatives bought a beautiful red car. (as nouns, both as subject & object).

2. Prepositional Phrase

A phrase comprising a preposition and an object of the preposition (noun or pronoun) is called a prepositional phrase. It may also contain other modifiers.

Examples of prepositional phrases: near a wall, on a table, in the room, under a tree, at the door, etc.

A prepositional phrase has a noun or pronoun, which is called the object of the preposition.

Examples:

• The kids were laughing at the joker.
• He is sleeping on the carpet.
• The teacher looked at the blackboard.
• He drives the car at a high speed.
• He always speaks in a loud voice.

3. Adjective Phrase

A phrase that acts like an adjective in a sentence is called an adjective phrase. Like an adjective, it modifies (gives more information about) a noun or a pronoun. It consists of adjectives, modifiers, and other words modifying the noun or pronoun.

Examples:

• A kid on the roof is looking at the sky. (modifies noun: kid).
• The boy standing in the shop is my friend. (modifies noun: boy).
• She bought a beautiful brown chair. (modifies noun: chair).
• A lady with long hair is walking in the garden. (modifies noun: lady).
• She gave me a cup full of tea. (modifies noun: cup).
• A student from my college won the competition. (modifies noun: student).

4. Adverb Phrase

A phrase that acts as an adverb in a sentence is called an adverb phrase. Like an adverb, it modifies (gives more information about) a verb or another adverb in the sentence. It contains an adverb and other words (e.g., nouns, prepositions, modifiers) which, as a whole, act as an adverb phrase.

Examples:

• He drives a car at a very high speed. (modifies verb: drive).
• He was running very fast. (modifies verb: run).
• She always speaks in a respectful way. (modifies verb: speak).
• They walked along the wall. (modifies verb: walk).
• She welcomed the guests in a nice way.  (modifies verb: welcome).
• He stayed at college for a few hours. (modifies verb: stay).
• The kid sat beside her mother. (modifies verb: sit).

5. Verb Phrase

A verb phrase is a group of a main verb and helping verbs (auxiliaries) within a sentence.

Examples:

• She is writing a letter
• He has passed the exam.
• The students must reach on time for the lecture.
• They have been playing football since morning.
• He is waiting for his friend.

6. Infinitive Phrase

An infinitive phrase contains an infinitive (to + 1st form of a verb) and modifiers or other related words linked to the infinitive. An infinitive phrase acts as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb in a sentence.

Examples:

• I like to drive a car. (as noun).
• To get success in the exam is the ambition of every student. (as noun).
• The government made a plan to help the poor. (as adjective modifying noun: plan).
• She sang a song to please the audience. (as adverb modifying verb: sing).
• The joker danced to entertain the people. (as adjective modifying noun: dance).

7. Gerund Phrase

A gerund phrase is a group consisting of a gerund (verb + ing), modifiers, and other related words linked to the gerund. A gerund phrase functions as a noun in the sentence.

Examples:

• I enjoy listening to the music. (as noun/object).
• He started writing the report. (as noun/object).
• Sitting in the sun helps the body absorb vitamin D. (as noun/subject).
• The crying of the baby disturbed him. (as noun/subject).

8. Participle Phrase

A participle phrase is a group consisting of a present participle (verb + ing) or a past participle (2nd form of verb), modifiers, and other linked words. A participle phrase is usually punctuated with a comma or commas. It always acts as an adjective (modifying a noun) in a sentence.

Examples:

• The students, raising their hands, need an extra page.     (modifies noun: students).
• She got a mail, stating about her exam.     (modifies noun: mail).
• The chair, made of plastic, looks very beautiful.     (modifies noun: chair).

9. Absolute Phrase

An absolute phrase is also called a nominative phrase. It consists of a noun or a pronoun, a participle, and linked modifiers. It modifies (adds information to) the sentence. It looks like a clause but lacks a true finite verb. It is separated by a comma in a sentence.

Examples:

• She is looking very much happy, her face expressing a shine of happiness.
• She, having books in her hand, was going to college.
• The wrestler, having anger in his eyes, looked at the opponent wrestler.