English Grammar | What is Phrase

Phrase Vs Clause

A phrase works as a noun, adjective, and a adverb in a sentence. A clause also works as a noun, adjective, and a adverb in a sentence. The difference is a phrase is a group of words that adds more information in a sentence and it can't stand independently.

For Example: I met a man with a gun. (Preposition Phrase)

On the other hand a clause is a sentence within a sentence.
For Example: The police found the girl who had lost last year. (Adjective Clause)

 

What is Phrase

A Phrase is a group of words which gives extra information in a sentence. It has no subject and no verb.

For Example:
I met a girl dressed in red.

Type of Phrase

1) Noun Phrase

This phrase  is also known as Appositive phrase. It renames a subject in a sentence.

 

 For example: 

Mr Alvin, my class teacher, gave me a warning. (indefinite Appositive phrase because it gives extra information )

 

My friends Smith and Jone have invited me in a party. (definite Appositive phrase because it gives essential information )

2) Adjective Phrase

This phrase actually works as an adjective in a sentence. These can be preposition phrase, participle phrase or reduced relative clause, which act as adjective phrase.

 

For example: 

He met a girl dressed in red. (participle phrase describing the girl as adjective )

 

I met a doctor with a dog. (preposition phrase describing the doctor as adjective )

 

3) Adverb Phrase

This phrase acts like an adverb in a sentence. Actually adverb phrase tells How, When, Where, Where some action happened and preposition phrase acts as adverb phrase in a sentence.

 

For Example: 

To this day, no one knows how they won the game.

 

Two weeks ago, in office I met with my old friend. (preposition phrase describing when and where met as adverb )

4) Prepositional Phrase: 

A prepositional phrase is made up of preposition, which works as an adverb or an adjective in a sentence. A Prepositional Phrase modifies a noun or a verb in a sentence. It can be used in front or at end of a sentence.

For Example:
She lives in a flat at the top of the building. (Prepositional phrase as adverb)

I saw a man with a bottle of wine under his arm. (Prepositional phrase as adjective)

5) Absolute Phrase

This Phrase has a noun which is modified by prepositional phrase, adjective, and participle  whole phrase acts as adverb phrase to the main clause.

For Example:
She was a girl of twenty years, her black hair shining, her face glowing.

He was shouting something, his face pleased, his glasses flashing.