Types of Phrases

A phrase is a group of related words within a sentence that complements the overall structure of
sentence. A phrase lacks both the subject and the object. Hence, a phrase cannot stand alone to give
complete meaning. The underline group of words in the following sentence is a phrase.

Example:
I saw a joker in the street.

A phrase can act as a noun, an adjective, a preposition or an adverb. The function of a phrase
depends upon its construction and place in a sentence. Depending upon its function in a sentence, phrases
are divided into various types: Noun Phrase, Verb Phrase, Adjective Phrase, Adverb Phrase, Gerund
Phrase, Infinitive Phrase and Absolute Phrase.

1. NOUN PHRASE

A phrase that acts like a noun in the sentence is called a Noun Phrase. It contains a noun & other
associated words (usually determiners & modifiers) which modify the noun.

A noun phrase comprises of a noun as a head-word and other related words (determiners &
modifiers) may come before or after the noun. The entire phrase serves as a noun in a sentence.
Noun Phrase = noun + modifiers (or determiners)

Examples:

 They hired a huge beautiful home. (as noun: object)

 She bought a decent black shirt. (as noun: object)

 One of our close relatives never drinks coffee. (as noun: subject)

 A woman in the window shouted for help. (as noun: subject)

A sentence can also consist of more than one noun phrase.

Example:

 One of our close relatives bought a beautiful red car. (as nouns both as subject & object)

2. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

A phrase comprising a preposition and object of preposition (noun or pronoun) is called a

prepositional phrase. It may also contain other modifiers.

 e.g. near a wall, on a table, in the room, under a tree, at the door etc

Prepositional phrase has a noun or pronoun which called the object of preposition.
Examples:

 The kids were laughing at the joker.

 He is sleeping on the carpet.

 The teacher looked at the black-board.

 He drives the car in a high speed.

 He always speaks in a loud voice.

3. ADJECTIVE PHRASE

A phrase that acts likes an adjective in a sentence is called adjective phrase. Like an adjective it
modifies (adds to meaning of) a noun or a pronoun. It comprises of adjectives, modifiers and other words
modifying the noun or pronoun.

Examples:
 A kid on the roof is looking at the sky. (modifies noun: kid)

 The boy in the shop is my friend. (modifies noun: boy)

 She bought a beautiful brown chair. (modifies noun: chair)

 A lady with long hair is walking in the garden. (modifies noun: lady)

 She gave me a cup full of tea. (modifies noun: cup)

 A student from my college won the competition. (modifies noun: student)

4. ADVERB PHRASE

A phrase that acts like an adjective in a sentence is called adverb phrase. Like an adverb, it
modifies (add to meaning of) a verb or other adverb in the sentence. It contains an adverb and other words
(i.e. noun, preposition, modifiers) which, as a whole, act as an adverb phrase.

Examples:
 He drives a car in a very high speed. (modifies verb: drive)
 The racer was running very fast. (modifies verb: run)
 She always speaks in a respectful way. (modifies verb: speak)
 They walked along the wall. (modifies verb: walk)
 She welcomed the guests in a nice way. (modifies verb: welcome)
 He stayed at college for a few hours. (modifies verb: stay)
 The kid sat beside her mother. (modifies verb: sit)
 5. VERB PHRASE

A verb phrase is the group of main verbs and helping-verbs (auxiliaries) within a sentence.

Examples:

 She is writing a letter

 He has taken his annual exam.

 Students must reach in time for the class.

 They have been playing game since morning.

 She is waiting for someone.

6. INFINITIVE PHRASE

An infinitive phrase contains an infinitive (to + base form of verb) and modifiers or other related
words linked to the infinitive. An infinitive phrase will always acts as a noun, an adjective or adverb in
the sentence.

Examples:

 I enjoy to drive a car. (As noun)

 To get success in exam is an ambition of every student. (As noun)

 Goverment made a plan to help the poor. (As adjective modifying noun: plan)

 She sang a song to please the audience. (As adverb modifying verb: sing)

 The joker danced to entertain the people. (As adjective modifying noun:
dance)

7. GERUND PHRASE

A gerund phrase is a group of a gerund (verb + ing), modifiers and other related words linked to
the gerund. A gerund phrase functions as a noun in the sentence.

Examples:

 I enjoy listening to the music. (As noun/as object)

 He started writing the letter. (As noun/as object)

 Walking in the sun affects the complexion of a person. (As noun/as subject)

 Crying of a baby disturbed me a lot. (As noun/as subject)

 8. PARTICIPLE PHRASE (-ing and –ed phrases)

A participle phrase is a group of a present-participle (verb + ing) or a past-participle verb,

modifiers and other linked words. A participle phrase is punctuated with a comma or commas. It always
acts as an adjective (modifying a noun) in a sentence.

Examples:

 The students, raising their hands, need extra page. (modifies noun: students)

 She got a mail, mentioning about her exam. (modifies noun: mail)

 The chair, made of plastic, looks very beautiful. (modifies noun: chair)

9. ABSOLUTE PHRASE

Absolute phrase is also called a nominative phrase. It consists of a noun or a pronoun, a participle
and linked modifiers. It modifies (tells more about) the sentence. It looks like a clause but lacks true finite
verb. It is separated by a comma in a sentence.

Examples:

 She is looking very much happy, her face expressing a shine of happiness.

 He, having books in his hand, was going to college.

 He, having anger in his eyes, met his enemy.

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