ACADEMIC

 SUMMARY FOR BASIC ENGLISH 4: MODULE ONE

PHRASE

A Phrase consists of two or more words lacking a complete sense and a complete verb. It may consist of one or more incomplete verbs - the Infinitives or the Participles standing on their own.

OR

A phrase is a group of words that stand together as a single unit, typically as part of a clause or a sentence.

A phrase does not contain a subject and verb and, consequently, cannot convey a complete thought. A phrase contrasts with a clause. A clause does contain a subject and verb, and it can convey a complete idea.
Words/group of words in italics are phrases in examples below:

• The sun rises in the east.

• Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

• She wore a hat with blue trimming.

• The accident on the bridge was not serious.

• The girl with red hair is an artist.

• Sasha took a long leave.

• Holding the toy, the child slept.

What is a noun phrase?

A noun phrase is a word or group of words in a sentence that acts like a noun.

For example:

You could say, "I met Joan."

In this sentence the word Joan is a noun.

You could replace Joan with a group of words (a phrase) and say, "I metyour sister."

Your sister is a phrase (a group of words without a finite verb), and it functions as a noun in the sentence.

So we call it a noun phrase.


Additional noun phrases examples (the noun phrase is in bold):

• All the kids were sleeping.
• The boy in the blue jeans says he'll do it.
• He bought her a beautiful red dress.
• Mom baked tasty chocolate cookies.
• Julia was thinking about her friends back home.
• Will you talk with these rude people?
• You are a true hero.
• My dog is my best friend.

What is a verb phrase?

Quick Tips: Verb phrase = main verb + auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) Examples of verb phrases (the verb phrases are underlined): eating + are => are eating "They are eating now." come + will => will come "I will come tomorrow." wait + have been => have been waiting  "She has been waiting for more than an hour."

A verb phrase is a combination of a main verb and one or more auxiliary verbs (also known as helping verbs). 

This group of words acts like a verb.

Example:

For example, you could say, "I waited for you."

In this sentence the word waited is a verb.

You could replace waited with a group of words (a phrase) and say, "I have been waiting for you."

Have been waiting is a verb phrase, and it functions as a single verb in the sentence.

So we call it a verb phrase. It can also be called a compound verb.

Note that the verbs in the verb phrase can be separated. In other words, they don't have to follow each other!

For example, both "We will return!" and "Will we return?" contain verb phrases (in bold).

Note: Don't confuse verb phrases with phrasal verbs!

Additional examples of verb phrases
(the verb phrase is in bold):

• They are waiting for the rain to stop.
• Why is she staying at home?
• Jack is not taking any breaks.
• Shanon will meet us there.
• Will you help us?
• He can speak more than ten languages.
• Should I call you?
• They have replaced all the locks.
• My brother has been working there for over five years.
• They have not seen it.
• Was it baked?
• His heart was broken.

What is an adjective phrase?

An adjective phrase is a group of words in a sentence that acts like an adjective.

Example:

For example, you could say, "Lisa is an experienced teacher."

In this sentence the word experienced is an adjective. It describes Lisa.

You could replace experienced with a group of words (a phrase) and say, "Lisa is a teacher with a lot of experience."

With a lot of experience is a phrase (a group of words without a finite verb), and it functions as an adjective in the sentence. It describes Lisa. 

So we call it an adjective phrase.


Additional adjective phrase examples (the adjective phrase is bold):

• The man by the car is my father.
• My grandfather is a man of great wisdom.
• Tom is a man with good instincts.
• She brought a cake made of nuts and fruit.
• His friends are sailors living on the sea.
• The name of the city is La Plata.
• They are a couple with no children.
• The price of the boots was too high.

What is an adverb phrase?

An adverb phrase is a group of words in a sentence that acts like an adverb.

Example:

For example, you could say, "I live there."

In this sentence the word there is an adverb. It tells us where.

You could replace there with a group of words (a phrase) and say, "I live in the house on the other side of the street."

On the other side of the street is a phrase (a group of words without a finite verb), and it functions as an adverb in the sentence. It tells us where. 

So we call it an adverb phrase.


Additional adverb phrase examples (the adverb phrase is in bold):

• We hurried down the street to catch the bus.
• She was born on the very same day.
• George fell asleep holding his book.
• Every now and then they meet and chat.
• For now, I would like to ask you to leave.
• Without a doubt, they will win the game.
• He loves you very much.
• Jennifer ran out the door, shouting his name.
• You sold your car two months ago.
• I'll go to bed when finished reading.
• Liz has lost her bag in the street.
• Joe fixed the car with a wrench.
• She was doing it for her children.

What is a prepositional phrase?

A prepositional phrase is a group of words starting with a preposition and ending with a noun, pronoun or a noun phrase (the object of the preposition).

Prepositional phrases give us more information about the word(s) they describe.

Example:

Take a look at the following sentence: "They live in the big house."

The underlined part starts with a preposition (in) and ends with the object of the preposition (the big house). It gives us more information about where they live. Therefore it is a prepositional phrase.


Additional prepositional phrase examples (the prepositional phrase is in bold):

• Joe dived into the water.
• They sat in the old green car.
• The men are working for the money.
• Every morning we take a walk in the park.
• Don't shout at me.
• Put the vase by the window.
• Let's look at the new photos.
• Benny met the kids from school.
• The painting of the sunset is beautiful.
• The dog jumped over the fence.
• He came to the house late at night.
• Can you help me with my homework?
• Susan and Betty will meet next week.
• Before going out, clean your room.

REFERENCE

http://www.really-learn-english.com/english-adjective-phrases.html

http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/phrase.htm

http://english---language.blogspot.com/2006/10/what-is-phrase.html