TYPES OF PHRASES: GERUND, PARTICIPIAL, PREPOSITIONAL & MORE
Phrases are smaller parts of sentences. Phrases cannot stand alone so they are grouped with modifiers or determiners to complete a thought. A phrase is what makes a sentence meaningful. Phrases are categorized depending upon their functions in a sentence. They are divided into various types: Noun Phrase, Verb Phrase, Adjective Phrase, Adverb Phrase, Gerund Phrase, Prepositional Phrase, and Participial Phrase, Infinitive Phrase, and Absolute Phrase.
| TYPES | DEFINITION & FUNCTION | EXAMPLE |
| Noun Phrase | A phrase that acts as a noun in a sentence. Noun phrase= noun+modifiers (or determiners) | The newly hired men did their job well. She bought a pair of shoes. |
| Verb Phrase | A group of main verbs and helping verbs (auxiliaries) in a sentence. | He is waiting for someone. They have been watching movies since morning. |
| Adjective Phrase | A phrase that acts as an adjective(a word that modifies a noun or a pronoun) in a sentence. | A lady with long hair is my best friend. I picked a beautiful flower in our garden. |
| Adverb Phrase | A phrase that acts as an adverb(a word that modifies a verb and another adverb) in a sentence. | He runs very fast. My friend stayed at home for a few days. |
| Gerund Phrase | A group of a gerund(verb+ing), modifiers, and other related words linked to gerund Acts as a noun in a sentence. | I love listening to music. Writing a poem is one of my hobbies. |
| Prepositional Phrase | A phrase comprising a preposition and object of the preposition (noun or pronoun) with other modifiers. | I found the ball under the table. He left a letter at the door. |
| Participial Phrase | A group of the present- participle (verb+ing) or a past- participle verb, modifiers, and other related words Acts as an adjective in a sentence and is usually punctuated with a comma. | The chair, made of wood looks, very sturdy. The children, playing video games, need guidance. |
| Infinitive Phrase | A phrase containing an infinitive(to + base form of the verb), modifiers, and other related words linked to infinitive Acts as a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. | To build my own house is my dream. The students danced to entertain the guests. |
| Absolute Phrase | A phrase consists of a noun or pronoun, a participle, and linked modifiers. Looks like a clause but lacks the true finite verb which is separated by a comma in a sentence. Modifies the whole sentence. Also called a nominative phrase. | He, having anger in his eyes, met his enemy. The semester finished, and Carla sold all her books. |
