Here are the different types of phrases with their examples.
TYPES OF PHRASES – A phrase is a small group of words that has meaning, but not a full sentence, and here are its different types.
What is a phrase? In English grammar, a phrase is a group of two or more words that function as a meaningful grammatical unit within a sentence or clause. The term is coined from the Greek word phrasis, meaning “declare” or “tell.” It is made up of a head, or headword (the most central word of the group), and one or more optional modifiers. There could be a phrase within a phrase.
Phrases and clauses aren’t the same thing. Clauses have a subject and a predicate in most cases, and can stand alone as a sentence, which a phrase can’t. Phrases don’t have a subject and a predicate.
Phrases have different types, and some of them are:
- Adverb Phrase – adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
Examples:
- every Sunday
- at a breakneck speed
- in a hurry
- as fast as possible
- with a smile
- Noun Phrase – a noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.
Examples:
- her bright smile
- the hardworking student
- my favorite book
- that delicious chocolate cake
- an expensive sports car
- Verb Phrase – a verb is an action word
Examples:
- will eat later
- must complete the task
- has been studying
- should go
- was singing loudly
- Adjective Phrase – an adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.
Examples:
- full of hope
- very beautiful
- rich in culture
- filled with excitement
- ready for the challenge
- Prepositional Phrase – a preposition is a word that tells direction, place, time, cause, manner, or means.
Examples:
- in the morning
- on the table
- at the park
- to the market
- over the bridge
- Gerund Phrase – a gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun in a sentence.
Examples:
- reading a good book
- swimming in the pool
- playing basketball with friends
- cooking delicious meals
- writing in her journal
- Infinitive Phrase – an infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word “to” and can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.
Examples:
- to play basketball with friends
- to travel around the world
- to write a story
- to watch the sunset
- to be happy
- Appositive Phrase – an appositive is a noun or phrase that identifies, clarifies, or adds detail to another noun directly beside it.
Examples:
- Manila, the capital of the Philippines
- Jose Rizal, our national hero
- That movie, a box-office hit
- Shakespeare, the famous playwright
- The dog, an Alabai