A phrase is a group of words that function together in their respective roles as noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, etc. (a white rabbit, blue as the sky, go away, deeply moved, at the top of the stairs, in connection with). A phrase does not by itself usually constitute a complete sentence and is not synonymous with a clause, which always contains a finite verb and may comprise one or more phrases belonging to different categories. In the clause the sun had set in the west, for instance, the sun is a noun phrase, while had set is a verb phrase and in the west is a prepositional phrase. The different categories of phrases are described below.Noun PhraseA noun phrase is composed of a noun or pronoun and any accompanying modifiers and determiners (an old gray cat, a cat with a grey coat, a cat that has a grey coat). It can variously play the role of subject, object, or complement within a clause or sentence:That song is great. [subject]
We love that song. [object]
That is a great song. [complement] Noun phrases can also include single nouns or pronouns or a single noun preceded by a or the (a man, the woman). Examples of cases where a noun phrase may consist of only a single word include sentences where the second word in a noun phrase has been omitted, because it is unnecessary in order to make the meaning clear:We must get the doctor's [clinic/office/house/etc.].
They were staying at Bill's [house/apartment/etc.]. When two noun phrases immediately follow one another and refer to the same person or thing, they are said to be in apposition:Alison, my sister, arrives tomorrow.
This model, the latest in this line, is very popular. Note that noun phrases that are in apposition are often capable of being transposed without changing the meaning and are set apart by commas. Further, either phrase can be left out without destroying the sentence. This rule does not always apply, however, as when the two phrases are separated by words such as namely or for example:This was written by the greatest Elizabethan playwright, namely Shakespeare.
He likes the work of modern artists, for example Picasso. There are also occasions when noun phrases in apposition depend on each other to make the meaning clear and should not be separated by commas. If either was removed the reader may not understand what is being referred to:The plant myosotis grows as a weed in many gardens. Here, without the phrase the plant, it might not be clear what myosotis is; without the word myosotis, it might be unclear what plant is being referred to.Adjective PhraseAn adjective phrase consists of an adjective together with various modifiers offering further information (fairly clever, very hot, deep enough, happy to come). Modifiers that are placed before the so-called head adjective are formally termed premodifiers (quite cold, too bright), while modifiers that appear after the head adjective are called postmodifiers (quiet enough, better than ever).Premodifiers are often adverbs (fairly, quite, too, etc.). In some cases it is possible for more than one adverb to be used in this way:The ride was nearly too exciting.
The shower was very quickly over. Premodifiers in adjective phrases can also be adjectives themselves:He sat in an old red armchair.
The sea was deep blue. Sometimes they may be no more than a repetition of the adjective they describe:It was a sad, sad day for all concerned.
They waited for a long, long time, but it never happened again.
The storm became wilder and wilder. Note that adjective phrases may be used in different parts of a sentence, being placed either before the noun (a deeply shocking event, a surprisingly good outcome) or after the verb (we were very pleased; the water is too shallow).Postmodifiers take several different forms. They may be adverbs (loud enough), phrases beginning with a preposition (fond of cheese, irritated by the noise), or clauses variously beginning with than, that, an infinitive, a word ending with -ing, or a word beginning with wh-:It was raining harder than ever.
He was sorry that he would not be there.
The knot was difficult to undo.
They were busy unloading the cargo.
She was uncertain which way to go. Alternatively, an adjective phrase may be followed by a combination of the above forms, such as an adverb and an infinitive (cold enough to snow) or a clause beginning with than and a prepositional phrase (fonder than ever of music). Whatever their form, postmodifiers are usually placed in a predicative position after the verb:The rope was not long enough.
The children were eager to start.
She was sure that she could get there in time. Note that in some circumstances an adjective phrase may have both premodifiers and postmodifiers:She was very glad of their help.
They were more lucky than most. Verb PhraseA verb phrase includes the verb element in a clause or sentence and may consist of a single word or more than one word:They lived in a small house on the edge of town.
The dog was running in a circle after its tail.
She would have said something if present. As these examples indicate, a verb phrase contains a main verb, which conveys the central meaning of the phrase (he walked into the house), and often one or more auxiliary verbs, such as is, can, had, might, and should, that have a subsidiary role:Her mother is sleeping upstairs.
You can see for miles from here.
They should prepare for trouble. Auxiliary verbs are an essential part of verb phrases when used in questions:Did you hear the explosion?
Can you reach that box? They are also necessary when using verb phrases in negative sentences with not (or n't):He did not drop the ball.
They could not get home in time. In questions the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject:Have you seen the news?
What was she thinking? Where a question contains a verb phrase that has more than one auxiliary verb, the rule is to put just the first auxiliary verb in front of the subject:Have you been registered?
Could he have been mistaken? The same approach applies to negative sentences with not (or n't), the not (or n't) being placed after the first auxiliary verb:I am not wearing a seatbelt.
Shouldn't he have taken that road? Adverbial PhraseAn adverbial phrase is made up of a group of words based on an adverb or preposition. This group of words plays the role of an adverb within a clause or sentence. A phrase built on an adverb may include additional words placed both in front of and after the adverb (as soon as possible; oddly enough; very slowly). Phrases beginning with prepositions are very common and consist of the preposition and the prepositional complement functioning adverbially as a unit (in town, with luck).
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