PHRASE in English

PHRASE (TOEFL)

 

Definition : a meaningful series of words that does not contain a subject and verb.

Type

1.      Non verbal construction

Definition : a verbal construction is a phrase or construction which is usually not preceded by a verb form ( except verb phrase )

Kind

a.       Noun phrase

A noun phrase is a meaningful series of words in which the noun serves as the head of the phrase.

Example : green   garden

                          head (noun)

b.      Adjective phrase

An adjective phrase is a meaningful series of wordsin which the adjective serves as the head of the phrase.

Example : very   beautiful

                        (head adjective)

c.       Adverbial phrase

An adverbial phrase is a meaningful series of words in whichthe adverb serves as the head of the phrase.

Example : very   carefully

                        head (adverb)

d.      Prepositional phrase

A prepositional phrase is ameaningful series of words which consist of a preposition and an object of preposition.

Example : without              any devices       

               (preposition)      object of preposition (noun phrase)       

e.       Verb phrase

A verb phrase is a meaningful series of words which consist of one or more auxiliaries plus an ordinary verb

Example : have          studied

              auxiliary    ordinary verb

2.      Verbal construction

Definition : a verbal construction is a phrase or construction which is usually precede by a verb form but does not function as a sentence predicator

Kind

a.       Gerund Phrase

A gerund phrase is a meaningful series of words shich is preceded by a gerund 

Example :  Swimming in the sea          is          my hobby

                subject (gerund phrase)    verb      complement of subject (noun phrase)

b.      To Infinitive Phrase

A to infinitive phrase is meaningful series of words which is preceded by a to infinitive

Example : She         wants     to meet him

               subject    verb       object (to infinitive phrase)

c.       Bare infinitive phrase

A bare infinitive phrase is a meaningful series of words which is preceded by a bare infinitive

Example : They     help   me        do my homework

               subject  verb   object   complement ofobject ( bare infinitive phrase)

d.      Present participe phrase

A present participle phrase is a meaningful series of words which is precede by a present participle.

Example : They     saw   me        studying in my room

               subject  verb  object   complement of object (present participle phrase)

e.       Past participle phrase

A past participle phrase is a meaninngful series of words which is preceded by a past participle

Example : They      have    the car    washed carefully

                                  subject   verb    object      complement of object (past participle phrase)