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 (https://www.learngrammar.net/) / English Grammar (https://www.learngrammar.net/section/english-grammar) / Phrase:

Definition, Types & Examples

Phrase: De nition, Types & Examples

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What is Phrase? (https://tw

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Phrases and clauses (/english- 
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grammar/clauses) are the most (https://ww
Types
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important elements of English grammar/
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grammar (/english-grammar). Phrase grammar/
Examples
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and clause cover everything a
Definition,
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sentence has. Clauses are the center grammar/
Types
of sentences and phrases strengthen
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the sentences to become
meaningful. If the clauses are the pillars of a building, the phrases are the bricks. A Examples)
phrase usually is always present within a clause, but a phrase cannot have a clause in it. 

The basic difference between a clause and a phrase is that a clause must have a 
nite verb (/english-grammar/verb# nite) and a phrase must not.

A phrase, therefore, is a group of words which has no nite verb in it and acts to
complete the sentence for making it meaningful.

“A phrase is a small group of words that form a meaningful unit within a clause.”
-Oxford Dictionary

“In linguistic analysis, a phrase is a group of words (or possibly a single word) that
functions as a constituent in the syntax of a sentence, a single unit within the
grammatical hierarchy.” 
- Osborne, Timothy, Michael Putnam, and Thomas Gross (2011)
Phrase
 Examples (/a/phrase-examples)

Types of Phrases
The phrases are generally of several types.

 Noun Phrase (/english-grammar/phrase#noun)

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 Adjective Phrase (/english-grammar/phrase#adjective)
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 Adverbial Phrase (/english-grammar/phrase#adverbial) text=Phras
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 Prepositional Phrase (/english-grammar/phrase#prepositional) (https://ww
Types
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 Conjunctional Phrase (/english-grammar/phrase#conjunctional) (https://pl
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Examples
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 Interjectional Phrase (/english-grammar/phrase#interjectional) Definition,
grammar/
grammar/
Types
 Absolute Phrase
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 Appositive Phrase Examples)

 Participle Phrase

 Gerund Phrase

 Infinitive Phrase

Noun Phrase
It is usually assembled centering a single noun (/english-grammar/noun) and works as a
subject, an object or a complement in the sentence.

Example:

I like to swing the bat hard when I am at the crease. (An object) 

Reading novels is a good habit. (A subject)

 The probability of happening that match is not much. (A subject)
We are sorry for her departure.

Adjective Phrase
It is comprised of an adjective (/english-grammar/adjective) and works as a single
adjective in the sentence.
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Example:
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Alex is a well-behaved man. text=Phras
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He is a man of friendly nature. 
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Julie is a woman of gorgeous style. 
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She leads a very interesting life. grammar/
Examples
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A lot of people do not sleep at night. Definition,
grammar/
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Types

Adverbial Phrase &

Examples)
It modi es the verb or the adjective and works as an adverb (/english-grammar/adverb)
in the sentence.

Example:

The horse runs at a good speed.

I was in a hurry then.

I ran as fast as possible.

He works very slowly.

Prepositional Phrase
It always begins with a preposition (/english-grammar/preposition) and connects nouns.

Example:
 He sacrificed his life for the sake of his country.
In the end, we all have to die.

He is on the way.
By working aimlessly, you will not get success.

In spite of working hard, he was insulted by his boss.

Note: Prepositional phrases include all other types of phrases.

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Conjunctional Phrase text=Phras
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Definition,
A conjunctional phrase works as a conjunction (/english-grammar/conjunction) in the
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Types
We have to work hard so that we can win the next match.
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I will attend the ceremony provided that you come.
Examples)

John started working early in order that he could finish early.

Interjectional Phrase
Interjections that have more than one word are called interjectional phrases.

Example:

What a pity! He is dead.

What a pleasure! I won the first prize.

Oh please! Don’t say that again. 

Absolute Phrase  
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 phrases containing Noun or Pronoun accompanied by a participle and necessary
modi ers if any are stated as Absolute Phrases. They modify inde nite classes and are
also called Nominative Phrases.

Examples:

Weather permitting, I will join the party.

God willing, he’ll pass the test this time.

The hot Summer sun having set, we left for the movie 
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Appositive Phrase  (https://ww
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Definition,
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An appositive is a Noun or Pronoun (/english-grammar/pronoun) often accompanied by
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Types
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modi ers that sit beside another Noun or Pronoun to describe it. An Appositive Phrase
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is a set of words containing an Appositive and it follows or precedes the Noun or grammar/
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Pronoun it identi es or explains. Definition,
grammar/
grammar/
Examples: Types

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My school friend, Brooks always bunked classes.
Examples)
His colleague, Mr. Robinson likes his tea.

Jeremy, the police officer on duty, wrote the speeding ticket. 

Participle Phrase 
It is made of a participle, its modi er(s) and/or the objects that complete the sense of
the sentence.

Examples:

Walking fast, I keep looking left and right.

Climbing the stairs, she waved at us.

I looked back, starting the engine. 



Gerund Phrase 
These contain a Gerund, its modi er(s) and the other necessary elements. They function
as Nouns just like Gerunds themselves and that means they can be Subjects and Objects
of the sentences.

Examples:

Eating plenty of grapes in one sitting is a bad idea. 

Doing the dishes gives me cold allergies. (https://tw

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I hate hurrying right before the deadline.  (https://ww
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Definition,
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In nitive Phrase  mini=true&
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These are comprised of in nitive verbs (To + base verb)along with their modi ers and/or
Examples
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complements. Definition,
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Types
Examples:
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We love to cook together. Examples)

He likes to solve math problems too much.

Rina walks fast to be there on time.

 
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