Phrase

A phrase is a group of words that adds meaning to a sentence. A phrase is not a sentence because it is not a complete idea with a subject, verb and a predicate. 18/11/2023

In English there are five different kinds of phrases, one for each of the main parts of speech. In a phrase, the main word, or the word that is what the phrase is about, is called the head. In these examples, it is printed in bold. The other words in the phrase do the work of changing or modifying the head.

In a 'Noun phrase', one or more words work together to give more information about a noun.

• all my dear children
• the information age
• seventeen hungry lions in the rocks

In an Adjective phrase, one or more words work together to give more information about an adjective.

• so very sweet
• earnest in her desire
• very happy with his work

In a Verb phrase, one or more words work together to give more meaning to a verb. In English, the verb phrase is very complex, but a good description of its many forms can be found here.

In an Adverb phrase, one or more words work together to give more information about an adverb.

• especially softly
• formerly of the city of Perth
• much too quickly to see clearly

In a Prepositional phrase, one or more words work together to give information about time, location, or possession, or condition. The preposition always appears at the front of the phrase (preposition = pre-position).

• after a very long walk
• behind the old building
• for all the hungry children
• in case it should happen again