Copyright 2018 © C. Wade Naney Begin Copyright 2018 © C. Wade Naney

Unfortunately, it’s kind of complicated to define. What Is a Phrase? Unfortunately, it’s kind of complicated to define. Hold on to your hat! Fortunately, however, it becomes quite clear after you’ve explored a few examples.

Example Definitions to Keep in Mind (among many you might find) The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). Example 1: A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. Example 2: A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or as another component of a sentence.

The “Part of Speech” Phrases These phrases represent the most common type. The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). A part of speech phrase serves the same purpose in a sentence that a single-word part of speech serves. Single-Word Example: A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. A sunset is a beautiful sight! noun Part of Speech Phrase Example: A sunset over the ocean is a beautiful sight! noun phrase We will begin with a look at the noun phrase.

The “Part of Speech” Phrases (noun phrase: a noun and its modifiers) The Noun Phrase The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). (noun phrase: a noun and its modifiers) The noun phrase can serve any of a variety of roles in a sentence, including: A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. Examples: As a Subject: All flights to Atlanta will be delayed. As a Direct Object: The airline will delay all flights to Atlanta. As an Indirect Object: This will cost all Atlanta flights a slight delay. It could also be used as the object of a preposition or as an appositive.

The “Part of Speech” Phrases The Verb Phrase The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). (verb phrase: a verb, its helping verbs and modifiers, and any direct or indirect objects that follow ) The verb phrase serves as the predicate of independent and dependent clauses. A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. Examples: Single Verb Phrase: Winters have usually been mild in this area. Multiple Verb Phrases: Though reviews were not great, the meal proved quite delicious and the service exceeded expectations.

The “Part of Speech” Phrases The Prepositional Phrase The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). (prepositional phrase: a preposition, a noun or pronoun serving as its object and any modifiers of the object) The prepositional phrase may serve as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. Examples: As a Noun: Under a tree is no place to be when lightning strikes. modifies the noun trip modifies the verb applied As an Adjective: A trip to Seattle was planned for October. As an Adverb: I applied for the job as soon as I could.

The Verbal Phrases The Infinitive Phrase Quick Review A verbal is a word derived from a verb but functioning as another part of speech. The Infinitive Phrase The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). Quick Review An infinitive is a verbal with the base form of a verb preceded by the word to. (infinitive phrase: an infinitive and its modifiers or complements, if any) The infinitive phrase may act as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. Examples: As a Noun: To provide meals for the elderly poor is their mission. modifies the noun time As an Adjective: They’ll require more time to finish the work. modifies the verb has arrived As an Adverb: Cynthia has arrived to drive me to school.

The Verbal Phrases The Gerund Phrase The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). Quick Review A gerund is a verbal with the base form of a verb ending with ing. (gerund phrase: a gerund and its modifiers and objects, if any) The gerund phrase acts only as a noun. A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. Examples: As Subject: Driving on icy roads can be quite hazardous. As Predicate Noun: What can be especially hazardous is driving on icy roads. As a Direct Object: Because it is so hazardous, I plan to stop driving on icy roads.

The Verbal Phrases The Present Participial Phrase The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). Quick Review A participle is a word derived from a verb but functioning as an adjective. (present participial phrase: a present participle and its modifiers or complements, if any) Quick Review A present participle is a participle ending in ing. The present participial phrase serves only as an adjective. A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. modifies the proper noun Kevin Examples: Having exceptional stamina, Kevin chose the distance events. Quick Review This is called a predicate adjective. The problem is finding one I can afford. modifies the noun problem

The Verbal Phrases The Past Participial Phrase The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). (past participial phrase: a past participle and its modifiers or complements, if any) Quick Review A past participle is a participle in the past tense form of its verb root. The past participial phrase, also, serves only as an adjective. A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. modifies the noun family Examples: The family stranded at the airport had missed their connection. We will recycle the paper placed in this bin. modifies the noun paper

renames the proper noun Diane stresses the noun drought Other Phrases The Appositive Phrase The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). (appositive phrase: a noun phrase that renames or stresses an adjacent noun) The appositive phrase may be immediately before or immediately after the noun. A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. renames the proper noun Diane Examples: Before the Noun: Clearly the most qualified applicant, Diane was the obvious choice for the position. After the Noun: That year’s drought, the worst in forty years, put many farmers out of business. stresses the noun drought

Other Phrases The Absolute Phrase The Phrase A phrase is a group of related words without a subject and a predicate (verb). (absolute phrase: a noun, sometimes followed by a participle, and its modifiers) The absolute phrase modifies a whole sentence or independent clause. A phrase is a small group of words serving as a part of speech or another component of a sentence. Examples: The hikers arrived exhausted, the trail being long and steep. modifies the “whole sentence” The hikers arrived exhausted. Tail tucked and eyes averted, Buster was admitting nothing, but the chewed leather shoe told us all we needed to know. modifies the independent clause Buster was admitting nothing

The Phrase The Workhorse of English Composition Bye It does the work “behind the scenes” in our writing. Readers are unaware of the work our phrases have contributed to the whole of the composition. As writers, however, being aware of the power of phrases makes our writing strong and effective. Happy phrasing! Bye