Phrase

A phrase is a group of words that stands together as a single grammatical 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.
Phrase is a meaningful string of words, but does not have a subject + verb (S+V)
Phrase Pattern :
Modifier + Head + Modifier
Modifier(M) -> Yang menjelaskan
Head(H) -> Yang dijelaskan
Example :
Rumah tua -> old house
H M M H

Types of Phrases
The phrases are generally of six types.
 Noun Phrase
 Adjective Phrase
 Adverbial Phrase
 Prepositional Phrase
 Conjunctional Phrase
 Interjectional Phrase

Exercise

Put the adjectives in brackets in the correct position.

Examples:

 A beautiful table (wooden round) = a beautiful round wooden table

 An old song (English) = an old English song

1. An unusual ring (gold) = …………………………………….

2. An old lady (nice) = …………………………………….
 3. A good-looking man (young) = …………………………………….

Answer

1. An unusual gold ring
2. A nice old lady
3. A good-looking young man
Noun Phrases
A noun phrase is a group of two or more words that is headed by a noun (a person, place, or
thing) that includes modifiers (e.g., 'the,' 'a,' 'of them,' 'with her').

A noun phrase plays the role of a noun. In a noun phrase, the modifiers can come before or
after the noun.

Note: A noun phrase can also be headed by a pronoun. For example:

 the dog with fleas
 the one with fleas
(This is a noun phrase headed by a pronoun. In the infographic, "None of us" is
another example.)

Examples of Noun Phrases

In normal writing, nouns nearly always feature in noun phrases. It is rare to find a noun
functioning by itself (i.e., without any modifiers) in a sentence.
 Man proposes, but God disposes. (German canon Thomas à Kempis)
(This example features two nouns without any modifiers. That's rare. In other words,
there are no noun phrases in this example.)
In real life, it is far more common for nouns to feature in noun phrases, i..e, to be
accompanied by modifiers. Here is a list of noun phrases. In this list, every noun phrase
consists of a head noun (highlighted) and at least one modifier.
 People: the soldier, my cousin, dopey Alan, the lawyer with the big nose
 Animals: that aardvark, one rat, a shark, funny Mickey
 Places: the house in the corner, inner London, dirty factory, no shelter
 Things: this table, our London Bridge, the sharp chisel, that nitrogen, last month,
an inch, her cooking
 Ideas: utter confusion, some kindness, your faith, the Theory of Relativity, a joy

So, a noun with any sort of modifier (even it's just "a" or "the") is a noun phrase.

The Function of Noun Phrases

Like any noun, a noun phrase can function as a subject, an object, or a complement within a
sentence. In each example below, the noun phrase is in bold and the head noun is highlighted.
 Singing in the bath relaxes me.
(Here, the noun phrase is the subject of the verb "relaxes.")
 I know the back streets.
(Here, the noun phrase is the direct object of the verb "know.")
 She was the devil in disguise.
(Here, the noun phrase is a subject complement following the linking verb "was.")
Exercise :
Identify the noun clauses in the following sentences.

1. I hope to win the first prize.

2. I tried to solve the puzzle.

3. Did you enjoy reading this book?

Answers
1. Noun phrase: to win the first prize; it acts as the object of the verb hope

2. Noun phrase: to solve the puzzle; it acts as the object of the verb tried

3. Noun phrase: reading this book; it acts as the object of the verb enjoy

Verb Phrase
Verb phrases are one of the eight types of phrases in a sentence. They include the helping
verb and main verb in a sentence. For example:

 The author is writing a new book.

 I must make an "A" in this class.

You can also create verb phrases without helping verbs at all. These sentences can only be set
in present or past verb tenses. For example:

 The author wrote a new book.

 I made an "A" in this class.

Like all phrases, verb phrases express an idea but cannot stand alone as a sentence. They can
also include modifiers, complements, and direct or indirect objects as complete verb phrases.

Verb Phrase Structure

Proper sentence structure requires both a subject and a verb. But unless that verb is in the past
or present tense, sentences use verb phrases. Using the correct verb phrase structure depends
on the verb tense, the subject and the mood of the sentence. When forming verb phrases, it’s
helpful to know which verbs go in each position.
Helping Verbs in Verb Phrases
Helping verbs are also known as auxiliary verbs or linking verbs. They are short words that
connect the subject with the rest of the sentence. Some examples of helping verbs include:

 forms of “to be” (am, is, are, was, were)

 forms of “to have” (have, has, had)
 forms of “to do” (do, does, did)

In verb phrases, these short verbs function as finite verbs, which establish tense, speaker and
mood, but don’t make sense on their own. They use nonfinite verbs to indicate what is
happening in the sentence. For example:

-Tom is tutoring his brother.

The verb phrase “is tutoring” contains the finite verb “is.” It indicates that the sentence is in
present tense, the speaker is singular, and that the mood is indicative. The word “tutoring” is
a participle, which is a verb used as an adjective (“tutoring” describes Tom in this sentence).
More examples of helping verbs in verb phrases include:

 I don’t know what channel the game is on.

 Are you going to the dance tonight?
Modal Verbs in Verb Phrases
Modal verbs are another kind of helping verb. These verbs express possibility, obligation and
suggestions. They include:

 can
 could
 ought
 may
 might
 must
 should
 will
 would

Exercise :

1. Tika and I are going to visit our college friend tomorrow.

a. are going to visit

b. are going
c. going
2. My parents knew I would get a good GMAT score.

a. would get a good GMAT score

b. get
c. would get
3. I do finish what I’ve started.

a. do finish
b. finish
c. do

Answer :
1. a. are going to visit
2. c. would get
3. a. do finish
Adjective Phrase
An adjective phrase is a group of words headed by an adjective that describes a noun or
a pronoun.

Examples of Adjective Phrases

In each example below, the adjective phrase is shaded and the head adjective is bold.
 She had extremely blue eyes.
(This adjective phrase describes the noun eyes. The adjective "blue" heads the
adjective phrase.)
 She wore very expensive shoes.
(This adjective phrase describes (or "modifies" as grammarians say) the noun
"shoes." The adjective "expensive" heads the adjective phrase.)
In an adjective phrase, the head adjective can be at the start, the middle or the end of the
phrase.
 I am sad about the result. (start)
 I am awfully sad about the result. (middle)
 I am very sad. (end)
The other words inside the adjective phrase are known as the dependents of the head
adjective. They are typically adverbs ("awfully" and "very") or prepositional phrases ("about
the result").

If you ever find yourself discussing adjective phrases, it won't be too long before you
encounter the terms "attributive adjective" and predicative adjective.

Attributive Adjective. An attributive adjective typically sits before the noun it is modifying.

 The beautifully carved frames are priceless.
(The adjective phrase is before the noun it modifies ("frames"). This is an attributive
adjective phrase.)
Predicative Adjective. A predicative adjective typically sits after the noun it is modifying.
 The frames are beautifully carved and priceless.
(The adjective phrase is after the noun it modifies ("The frames"). This is a
predicative adjective phrase.)
When an adjective phrase (or any adjective for that matter) appears before its noun, it is
highly likely to be an attributive adjective. However, an adjective that appears after its noun
can also be attributive.
 The frames beautifully carved by monks are priceless.
(The adjective phrase is after the noun it modifies ("The frames"), but this time it's an
attributive adjective.)

Exercise :
Identify the adjective phrases in the following sentences.

Hints

An adjective phrase serves the same purpose as an adjective. That means it modifies a noun.

1. Have you ever seen an elephant with a white skin?

2. He was wearing a crown made of gold.

3. There I met a girl with blue eyes.

Answer :

1. Have you ever seen an elephant with a white skin?

2. He was wearing a crown made of gold.

3. There I met a girl with blue eyes.

Adverbial Phrase
An adverbial phrase is a group of words that functions as an adverb.

Example of an Adverbial Phrase

Here is an easy example of an adverbial phrase:
 Jack will sit in silence.
(The adverbial phrase "in silence" is functioning as an adverb of manner. It tells
us how Jack sat.)
Compare the example above with these examples:
 Jack will sit quietly.
(This is a normal adverb. This example has been included to prove that "in silence" is
an adverb.)
 I will sit like a monk meditates.
(This is an adverbial clause. It includes a subject ("a monk") and
a verb ("meditates").)
In the examples above, all the adverbs tell us how the person will sit. They are all
adverbs of manner. When used to modify a verb, an adverb (including an adverbial
phrase and an adverbial clause) will usually describe when, where, how, or why
something happens.

When (Adverbial Phrase of Time)

An adverbial phrase of time states when something happens or how often. For example:
 I'll do it in a minute.
 After the game, the king and pawn go into the same box. (Italian Proverb)
 Do not wait for the last judgment. It takes place every day. (Albert Camus)

Where (Adverbial Phrase of Place)

An adverbial phrase of place states where something happens. For example:
 I used to work in a fire-hydrant factory. You couldn't park anywhere near the place.
(Steven Wright)
 Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings. (Ed
Gardner)

How (Adverbial Phrase of Manner)

An adverbial phrase of manner states how something is done. For example:
 He would always talk with a nationalistic tone.

Why (Adverbial Phrase of Reason)

An adverbial phrase of reason states why something is done. For example:
 He went to the island to find gold.

The Format of Adverbial Phrases

Here are three common formats for adverbial phrases:
 Prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase is headed by a preposition (e.g., "in,"
"on," "near," "by," "with"). For example:
 He was standing in the corner.
 Infinitive phrase. An infinitive phrase is headed by an infinitive verb (e.g., "to
play," "to jump"). For example:
 She went to Florence to paint.
 An adverb with an intensifier. An adverb with an intensifier (e.g., "very,"
"extremely," "really") is also an adverbial phrase. For example:
 He answered you very quickly.
There are, of course, other formats. For example:
 We arrived a day later than expected.
 I paid him every week.
If you have a group of words that is functioning as an adverb and that doesn't feature a
subject and a verb (meaning it's not a adverbial clause), then you're looking at an
adverbial phrase.

Exercise :

Underline the adverb phrases in the following sentences.

Notes: An adverb phrase is a group of words that serves the same purpose as an adverb.
1. She lives in a palatial home.
2. Is there water on the moon?
3. She ran into her room.
Answer :
1. Adverb phrase – in a palatial home
2. Adverb phrase – on the moon
3. Adverb phrase – into her room
Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that consists of a preposition, its object (which
will be a noun or a pronoun), and any words that modify the object.

Examples of Prepositional Phrases

In these examples, the prepositional phrase is shaded and the preposition is in bold.
 A singer with passion
 A town near London
 Keep in time.
 He acts without thinking.
It is a little bit more complicated than shown above because the noun can be anything that
plays the role of a noun. For example:
 It's a present from her.
(Remember that the "noun" can be a pronoun.)
 She stole it from the man across the street.
(Here, the noun is a noun phrase.)
 It's obvious from what he said.
(Here, the noun is a noun clause.)
The noun that follows the preposition (i.e., everything that's shaded but not bolded in the
examples) is called the object of a preposition. There will often be modifiers in the object of
the preposition making it a noun phrase. For example:
 I sat with Simba.
(There are no modifiers in this example.)
 I sat with the wonderful Simba.
(With the modifiers "the" and "wonderful," the object of the preposition is now a
noun phrase.)
Here is another example:
 He beat Lee without trying.
(There are no modifiers in this example. The object of the preposition is a noun. In
this case, it's a gerund.)
 He beat Lee without overly trying.
(With the modifier "overly," the object of the preposition is a noun phrase.)

The Function of Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases function as either adjectives modifying nouns or adverbs modifying
verbs. For example:
Prepositional phrases functioning as adjectives that modify nouns:
 Do you mean that boy in the corner?
 I know the policeman with the radio.
(In these two examples, the prepositional phrases are functioning as adjectives. They
are modifying nouns ("that boy" and "the policeman"). As they are multi-word
adjectives, these prepositional phrases are a type of adjective phrase.)
Prepositional phrases functioning as adverbs that modify verbs:
 I live near the stadium.
 She speaks with notable enthusiasm.
(In these two examples, the prepositional phrases are functioning as adverbs. They
are modifying verbs ("live" and "speaks"). As they are multi-word adverbs, these
prepositional phrases are a type of adverbial phrase).
Exercise :
Complete the following sentences using appropriate prepositional phrases.
1. I would rather have coffee …………………… tea.
-instead of
-instead from
2. …………………… the rains, we went out.
-In spite of
-Despite of
-In spite
3. ……………………… fire, break glass to escape.
-In case of
-In case
-In case with
Answer :
1. I would rather have coffee instead of tea.

2. In spite of the rains, we went out.

3. In case of fire, break glass to escape.

Independent Clause
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and
expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

Dependent Clause
A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not
express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent
clause is marked by a dependent marker word.
Example :
When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . .

Dependent Marker Word

A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause
that makes it into a dependent clause.
Example :
When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy.
Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even
if, even though, if, in order
to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.
Connecting independent clauses
There are two types of words that can be used as connectors at the beginning of an
independent clause: coordinating conjunctions and independent marker words.
1. Coordinating Conjunction
The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the beginning of an
independent clause are and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet. When the second independent
clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the
coordinating conjunction:
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because
of the noise.
2. Independent Marker Word
An independent marker word is a connecting word used at the beginning of an independent
clause. These words can always begin a sentence that can stand alone. When the second
independent clause in a sentence has an independent marker word, a semicolon is needed
before the independent marker word.
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz; however, it was hard to concentrate
because of the noise.
Some common independent markers
are: also, consequently, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.
Connecting dependent and independent clauses
Subordinating conjunctions allow writers to construct complex sentences, which have an
independent clause and a subordinate (or dependent) clause. Either clause can come first.
The students acted differently whenever a substitute taught the class.
Whenever a substitute taught the class, the students acted differently.
Note that the clauses are separated with a comma when the dependent clause comes first.
Some common subordinating conjunctions are: after, as, before, once, since, until,
and while.

Exercise :

1. If you don't fix the car, IT WILL CONTINUE TO LEAK OIL.

a.) dependent clause

b.) independent clause

2. WHILE THE CAR IS BEING FIXED, we will need to take the bus.

a.) dependent clause

b.) independent clause

3. It isn't necessary to cram all night IF YOU HAVE STUDIED A LITTLE EACH DAY.

a.) dependent clause

b.) independent clause

Answer :

1. B. independent clause
2. A. dependent clause
3. B. independent clause