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Common use of the term phrase
In general daily use a phrase is a group of words with some special idiomatic meaning or other significance, it may be a euphemism, a saying of proverbs, a fixed expression, a figure of speech.
For example :
All right reserved
Bread and butter
In cold blood
Technical use of the term phrase
In syntactic analysis, a phrase is a group of words , or sometimes a single word which plays a particular role as a constituent within the grammatical structure of a sentence. It may or may not have any special meaning or significance.
For example:
Yesterday I saw an orange bird.
Head and Dependents
In syntactical analysis most of the phrases contain a keyword that identifies the type and linguistic features of the particular phrase, it is known as the head of the phrase.
In syntactic categories the head is used to name the category of the phrase.
Noun Phrase: The Massive Dog.
Verb Phrase: Watch Tv.
Adverb Phrases: Too slowly.
Adjective Phrases: Very Sad.
Prepositional Phrase: at dinner.
Noun phrases or nominal phrases and determiner phrase
A word or group of words containing a noun and functioning in a sentence as subject, object, or prepositional object. A noun phrase has as its head a noun, a pronoun, a nominal adjective, or a numeral.
In some more modern syntactic theories , noun phrases with determiners are analyzed as having the determiner as the head of the phrase. We call them determiner phrases. Beginning in the mid 1980s, an alternative analysis arose that posits the determiner as the head, which makes the phrase a determiner instead of a noun phrase. While the determiner phrase-hypothesis has largely replaced the traditional noun phrase analysis in generative grammar, it is generally not held among advocates of other frameworks, for six reasons: 1) absent determiners, 2) morphological dependencies, 3) semantic and syntactic parallelism, 4) idiomatic expressions, 5) left-branch phenomena, and 6) genitives.
Study the determiner phrases:
A little dog, the little dogs (indefinite or definite articles)
My little dog, your little dogs (possessives)
This little dog, those little dogs (demonstratives)
Every little dog, each little dog, no dog (quantifiers)
Study the noun phrases:
The bewildered tourist was lost.
The lost puppy was a wet and stinky dog.
The flu clinic had seen many cases of infectious disease.
It was a story as old as time.
The sports car drove the long and winding road.
Saturday became a cool, wet afternoon.
Noun phrases can also include:
Determiners: Those houses are very nice
Quantifiers: I’ve lived in a lot of houses.
Numbers: My brother owns four houses.
Adjectives: I never love old houses.
Verb Phrases
The head of a verb phrase is a main verb. The main verb may be preceded by up to four auxiliary verbs.
Examples:
I must make a mastermind in this class.
The dog might eat the biscuits.
He was walking to work yesterday.
He was waiting for the rain to stop.
She was upset when it didn’t boil.
You have been sleeping for a long time.
You might enjoy a massage.
He was eager to eat dinner.
Adverb Phrase
An adverbial phrase is a group of words that functions as an adverb. Adverbial phrases contrast with adverbial clauses and single-word adverbs. Unlike an adverbial clause, an adverbial phrase does not contain a subject and a verb.
Examples:
Show Simon your project in the morning.
He lost his double chin due to avoiding chocolate.
Anne waited in a state of trepidation.
Mark will sit in the corner.
Jack will sit in silence.
Jack will sit quietly.
Gerund Phrases
A gerund phrase is simply a noun phrase that starts with a present participle verb.
Examples:
Taking my dog for a walk is fun.
Walking in the rain can be difficult.
Strolling along a beach at sunset is romantic.
Getting a promotion is exciting.
Signing autographs takes time.
Going for ice cream is a real treat.
Singing for his supper was how he earned his keep.
Getting a sore back was the result of the golf game.
Pulling an all-nighter did not improve his test scores.
Sailing into the sunset was the perfect end to the book.
Infinitive Phrases
An infinitive phrase is a noun phrase that begins with an infinitive verb.
Examples:
To make lemonade, you have to start with lemons.
I tried to see the stage, but I was too short.
She organized a boycott to make a statement.
To see Niagara Falls is mind-boggling.
He really needs to get his priorities in order.
The company decided to reduce hours for everyone.
To donate time or money is an honorable thing.
I went to Spain to study the language and culture.
Appositive Phrases
An appositive phrase defines a noun or gives extra information about the noun, which is often inessential to the meaning of a sentence, remember noun in apposition or phrase in apposition are the other names of apposition phrase.
Examples:
My favorite pastime, needlepoint, surprises some people.
Her horse, an Arabian, was her pride and joy.
My wife, the love of my life, is also my best friend.
A cheetah, the fastest land animal, can run 70 miles an hour.
My idea, a recycling bin for the office, was accepted by the boss.
The Florida panther, the state animal of Florida, is an endangered species.
Adjective Phrases
The head of an adjective phrase is an adjective. The head can be preceded by pre-modifiers and followed by post-modifiers. The phrase like an adjective may be essential or inessential.
Examples:
The movie was not too terrible.
Your apple pie smells very tempting.
Mom said the cost of a car is way too high.
Prepositional Phrases
There are two constituents or syntactic units in a prepositional phrase: a preposition as the head and the complement of the preposition.
Structure
(pre-modifiers) + Preposition + Prepositional Complement
Examples:
He arrived in time
The cat in the middle is the cutest
The book was on the table.
We camped by the brook.
He knew it was over the rainbow.
She was lost in the dark of night.
He was between a rock and a hard place.
I waited for a while.
She smelled of strawberries and cream.
He won the challenge against all odds.
Participial Phrases
A participial phrase begins with a past or present participle. Present participle always includes main verb with ‘-ing’ and past participle is the regular or irregular transformation of main verb, often ends with ‘-ed’ but not always.
Examples:
Washed with my clothes, my cell phone no longer worked.
Knowing what I know now, I wish I had never come here.
I am really excited, considering all the people that will be there.
We are looking forward to the movie, having seen the trailer last week.
Grinning from ear to ear, she accepted her award.
The happy dog ran the entire length of the park, pausing only to sniff the dandelions.
Painted a brilliant white, the small room appeared bigger.
The lake, frozen over all winter, was finally thawing.
Absolute Phrases
An absolute phrase has a subject, but not an action verb, so it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It modifies the whole sentence, not just a noun.
Examples:
His tail between his legs, the dog walked out the door.
Picnic basket in hand, she set off for her date.
The guys attacked the pile of nachos, their fingers getting the last bit of cheese off the plate.
Their heads hanging down, the whole group apologized.
The entire team, their uniforms muddy and stained, shouted for joy.
Exercises
A. Answer the following questions
1. What is phrase?
2. Elaborate the common usages of the term phrase.
3. What is the difference between the common and technical use of the term phrase?
4. What are the major types of phrases?
5. How is a phrase named ? What is the head of a phrase?
6. The head of a noun phrase is …………..
7. What are the positions of a noun phrase in a sentence?
8. What is the difference between a phrase and a clause?
B. In the following sentences identify the phrases and state whether they are adjective phrases, adverb phrases or noun phrases.
1. I hope to win the first prize.
a. Noun phrase
b. Adjective phrase
c. Adverb phrase
2. The girl in the brown frock is my sister.
a. Noun phrase
b. Adjective phrase
c. Adverb phrase
3. Did you enjoy watching the movie?
a. Noun phrase
b. Adjective phrase
c. Adverb phrase
4. She always drives with care.
a. Noun phrase
b. Adjective phrase
c. Adverb phrase
5. They were shouting in a loud voice.
a. Noun phrase
b. Adjective phrase
c. Adverb phrase
6. The train stopped at Victoria Terminus.
a. Noun phrase
b. Adjective phrase
c. Adverb phrase
C. Underline the phrases used in the following sentences.
1. The lion is an animal of great strength.
2. A homeless child has to spend his days in great misery.
3. He listened to me with great attention.
4. Do not play with bad boys.
5. Calcutta is a city of thick population.
6. He is full of courage.
7. She was wearing a bangle made of gold.
8. An old man lived beside the lake.
9. The boy stood on the burning deck.
10. He wants to go home.
11. Do you enjoy reading this book?
12. The wicked vizier loves getting people into trouble.
13. He speaks like a born leader.
14. I have forgotten how to play this game.
15. He succeeded in the long run.
D. Identify the phrases.
1. Steven’s book, which made Oprah’s Book Club this month, is not in any stores.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
2. While preparing for the speech, Joe couldn’t help but worry about his entrance.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
3. Ahmad wants to visit Quebec, but he will need to wait for his next vacation.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
4. Hoping for a miracle, the doctors continued the surgery.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
5. Our boss supports donating time to charity.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
6. Melanie hoped to find a cure for the disease, but she tried to be realistic.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
7. After the banquet, the cooks will take a well-deserved break.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
8. Joey is hoping for a chance to play pool with his uncle.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
9. The dog that Sam chose from the litter seems to be healthy.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
10. Sam Smith, who recently spoke to the youth group, excels at motivating young people.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
11. Pushed beyond endurance, the runner dropped the baton.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
12. The shoes he saw in the catalogue are available down the street.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
13. The reporter crouched behind that tree got the best picture of the arrest.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
14. Keith tried supporting both teams, but his heart was with Oregon.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
15. Katrina, who resented being left at home, drew on the walls with her crayons.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
16. Arnold hoped to find an answer to the funding shortfall.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
17. Pressed for time, the agent ran the red light.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
18. His uncle thinks that working for the government is the key to stability.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
19. Richard’s chance to make his point slipped away.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
20. Is it possible that Joshua will compete against that man?
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
E. Participate in the following conversation and answer from the given options.
1. I’d like you to meet my Child.
a. All right.
b. Pleased to meet you.
c. Hello.
2. Would you like to come to dinner next Friday?
a. I’m afraid, I can’t.
b. Unfortunately not.
c. Certainly not.
3. Thank you very much for all your trouble.
a. No matter.
b. Don’t mention it.
c. It’s not worth it.
4. Could you tell me the way to the station, please?
a. Yes, I could.
b. Yes.
c. Yes, of course.
5. My name is Sue. How do you do?
a. How do you do?
b. I’m fine, thank you.
c. All right.
6. May I open the window?
a. I’d rather you didn’t.
b. Not at all.
c.No.
7. Give my love to your grandma.
a. Yes, sure.
b. Yes, I will. Thank you.
c. Yes, please.
8. I think you’ve taken my bag by mistake.
a. What a shame.
b. Pardon.
c. I’m so sorry.
9. Happy New Year.
a. OK.
b. The same to you.
c. Yours too.
10. Lovely day today, isn’t it?
a. Yes, it is.
b. Yes, it’s so.
c. Yes, of course.
