Phrases

A Phrase is a group of words forming a part of a sentence without a subject and a finite verb. A phrase functions in the sentences mostly as a Noun, Adjective, Adverb or Verb and accordingly it is called a Noun Phrase, Adjective Phrase, Adverb Phrase or Verb Phrase (Phrasal Verb).

Noun Phrases

The Phrase that functions as a Noun in the sentence is called a Noun Phrase.

Noun with an Adjective

Let us look at the sentences.

An old man is calling me.

In this sentence, the phrase 'an old man' is functioning as subject of the verb 'is calling' and is, therefore, functioning as Noun; this is a Noun Phrase and it has been formed by the noun 'man' and the adjective 'old'.

Noun with a Participle

Let us look at the sentences:

Waiting passengers became impatient.

In this sentence, the phrase 'waiting passengers' is functioning as the subject of the verb 'became' and is, therefore, functioning as a Noun; this is a Noun Phrase and is formed by the noun 'passengers' and the participle 'waiting'.

Infinitive with its Object

Let us look at the following sentences:

I want to complete the assignment.

In this sentence, the phrase 'to complete the assignment' is functioning as the object of the verb 'want' and is, therefore, functioning as Noun. This is Noun Phrase which has been formed together with the infinitive 'to complete' and its object 'the assignment'.


    


Infinitive with its Complement

Let us look at the sentence:

John wants to be a minister.

In this sentence, the phrase 'to be a minister' is functioning as object of the verb 'wants' and is, therefore, functioning as Noun. This is a Noun phrase, formed together with the infinitive 'to be' and its complement 'a minister'.

Infinitive with an adverb

Let us look at the sentence:

My mother wanted to walk slowly.

In this sentence, the phrase 'to walk slowly' is functioning as the object of the verb 'anted' and is, therefore, functioning as Noun. This is a Noun Phrase, which has been formed together with the infinitive 'to walk' and the adverb 'slowly' (modifying the infinitive 'to walk').

Gerund with its Object

Let us look at the sentence:

He spends a lot of time in reading books.

In this sentence, the phrase 'reading books' is functioning as object of the preposition 'in' and is therefore functioning as a Noun. This is a Noun Phrase which has been formed by the Gerund 'reading' with its object 'book.

Gerund with its Complement

Look at the sentence:

People realize the importance of being honest.

In this sentence, the phrase 'being honest' is functioning as the object of the preposition 'of' and is therefore, functioning as Noun. This phrase is a Noun Phrase, which has been formed by the Gerund 'being' and its complement 'being'.

Gerund with an Adverb

Let us look at the sentence:

He enjoys running fast.

In this sentence, the phrase 'running fast' is functioning as object of the verb 'enjoys' and is, therefore, functioning as Noun. This is a Noun Phrase, formed by the Gerund 'running' and the adverb 'fast' (modifying the Gerund 'running').

Also See: Function of Noun Phrase , Adjective Phrase , Adverb Phrase




Grammer Topics

Sentence Formation
Noun and Verb
Simple Sentence, Clause & Phrase
Objective Complement
Intransitive Verb
Noun and Pronoun
Adjective
Adverb
Infinitives
Particles
Gerund
Preposition
Phrase
Clause
Types of Sentences
Finite Verb
Prefixes and Suffixes
Tense
Punctuation
Semi Colon
Apostrophe
Reported Speech
 
 


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