Phrases

A group of words that does not make a complete sense is known as a

phrase. In other words, a phrase is a group of words (within a sentence)
without both subject and verb e.g.
a. The traveller sat down under a tree.
b. To play chess is not easy.
In these two sentences, both the expressions in bold letters are phrases.
Types of phrases:
1. Adjective phrase
2. Adverb phrase
3. Noun phrase
4. Prepositional phrase (functions as either Adverb or Adjective)
5. Verb phrase
1. ADJECTIVE PHRASE:
A phrase that acts as an adjective in a sentence is called an adjective
phrase e.g.
a. We purchased an almirah made of steel.
b. Everybody respects a man of honour.
Here, we need to understand the difference
between adjective and adjective phrase, look at the below examples:
a. We bought a golden necklace.
b. We bought a necklace made of gold.
In example (a) above ‘golden’ is adjective because it is a single
word whereas in example (b) ‘made of gold’ is an adjective
phrase because it is a group of words.
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Exercise-1
Pick out the adjective phrases in these sentences:
1. A young girl with a smiling face greeted me at the door.
2. This is a question of great importance.
3. The king wore a crown made of gold.
4. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
 5. The news given by you is quite interesting.
2. ADVERB PHRASE:
A phrase that acts as an adverb in a sentence is called an adverb phrase
e.g.
a. She acted in a foolish manner.
b. I searched for my book at every place.
Here, we need to understand the difference between adverb and adverb
phrase, look at the below examples:
a. He opened the door violently.
b. He opened the door in a violent manner.
In example (a) above ‘violent’ is an adverb because it a single
word whereas in example (b) ‘in a violent manner’ is an adverb
phrase because it is a group of words.
Types of adverb phrase:
1. Adverb phrase of Manner: shows how a thing is done e.g.
He worked in a diligent manner.
 Adverb phrase of Place: shows the place where an action occurred
e.g.
We looked in the garden for the puppy.
 Adverb phrase of Time: shows when an action occurred e.g.

I was a student last year.

Exercise-2
Pick out the adverb phrases in these sentences:
1. The captain called the goalkeeper in a loud voice.
2. Please leave the room at this very moment.
3. She opened the knot with great skill.
4. These soft drinks are available at all places.
5. You should always reach the school in time.
3. NOUN PHRASE:
A phrase that acts as a noun in a sentence is called a noun phrase. A
noun phrase consists of a noun as the head word’ and other words
which come after or before the noun. The whole phrase works as a noun
in a sentence e.g.
a. Painting landscapes is his hobby.
b. To understand people is very difficult.
c. I love reading comics.
In sentences (a) and (b) underlined phrases are the subjects of verb ‘is’
and answer ‘what’, so they act as noun phrase. And in sentence (c) the
phrase ‘reading comics’ is the object of the verb ‘love’, so it is also a
noun phrase because only a noun or pronoun can be the object of a verb
To identify a NOUN PHRASE in a sentence, identify verb in a
sentence and ask the question ‘WHAT?’.
As in the above mentioned examples, we can ask
a. What is his hobby?
b. What is very difficult?
c. What do I love?
The answer of ‘what’ in these sentences is the noun phrase as mentioned
below:
a. Painting landscapes
b. To understand people
c. reading comics
A sentence can also contain more than one noun phrases.
For example: The girl with blue eyes bought a beautiful chair.
Exercise-3
Pick out the noun phrases in these sentences:
1. His decent manner impressed everyone.
2. My friend’s little brother is very cute.
3. I enjoy going on long walks.
4. Taking care of the poor and needy is good.
5. Marry wanted to cook dinner.
4. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, objects of preposition
(noun or pronoun) and may also consist of other modifiers e.g.
a. on a table
 b. near a wall
c. in the room
d. at the door
e. under a tree
A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and mostly ends with a
noun or pronoun. Whatever prepositional phrase ends with is
called object of preposition. A prepositional phrase functions either as
an adjective phrase or adverb phrase in a sentence e.g.
a. A boy on the roof is singing a song. (As adjective)
b. The man in the room is our teacher. (As adjective)
c. She is shouting in a loud voice. (As adverb)
d. He always behaves in a good manner. (As adverb)
Exercise-4
Pick out the prepositional phrases in these sentences:
1. She paid for the lunch in advance.
2. I went to his house by mistake.
3. I have a lot in common with my cousin.
4. It’s better to arrive on foot as there is no space for parking.
5. Do you always brush your teeth before bed without fail?
5. VERB PHRASE
A verb phrase is a combination of main verb and its auxiliaries (helping
verbs) in a sentence e.g.
a. He is eating an apple.
b. She has finished her work.
c. You should study for the exam.
d. She has been sleeping for two hours.
Exercise-5
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Pick out the verb phrases in these sentences:
1. She was walking quickly to the mall.
2. He should wait before going swimming.
3. Those girls are trying very hard.
4. Ted might eat the cake.
5. You must go right now