Types of Phrases

Bataan Peninsula State University Teaching Grammar and Literature Second Semester
College of Education John Carlo R. Austria A.Y. 2018-2019
I. Introduction
Types of Phrases
A phrase is a group of related words within a sentence that complements the
overall structure of a sentence. A phrase lacks both the subject and the object. Hence,
a phrase cannot stand alone to give complete meaning
II. Motivational Activity
Instruction: Circle or Box the types of phrases
WORD BANK
N I I N F I N I T I V E H A
E O G B W F Q A S I V I A D
Z K U H R G T R D I T H B J
C Y U N W E G F T R G H S E
G J D T S S V C W E F B O C
P R E P O S I T I O N A L T
G P A R T I C I P I A L U I
G E R U N D B T O V B N T V
Y U A A D V E R B I A L E E
A B B C P H R A S E F D G H
III. Lesson Proper
A phrase can act as a noun, an adjective, a preposition or an adverb. The function

of a phrase depends upon its construction and place in a sentence. Depending upon its
function in a sentence, phrases are divided into various types: Noun Phrase, Verb
Phrase, Adjective Phrase, Adverb Phrase, Gerund Phrase, Infinitive Phrase and
Absolute Phrase.
Noun Phrase
A phrase that acts like a noun in a sentence is called a Noun Phrase. It contains
noun and other associated words (usually determiners and modifiers) which modify
the noun.
A noun phrase comprises of a noun as a head-word and other related words may
come before or after the noun. The entire phrase serves as a noun in a sentence, Noun
Phrase = noun + modifiers or determiners
Examples:
They hired a huge beautiful home.
A woman in the window shouted for the help.
She bought a decent black shirt.
One of our close relatives never drinks coffee.
Prepositional Phrase
A phrase comprising a preposition and object of preposition (noun or pronoun) is

called a prepositional phrase.
Mission Vision
A leading university in the Philippines recognized for its proactive contribution to To develop competitive graduates and empowered community members by providing relevant
sustainable development through equitable an inclusive programs and services by 2030. innovative and transformative knowledge, research, extension enhancement of its human
resource capabilities and institution mechanisms.
Examples:
The kids were laughing at the joker.
The teacher looked at the black-board.
Adjective Phrase
A phrase that acts like an adjective in a sentence is called adjective phrase. It

modifies a noun or a pronoun.
An adjective phrase (or adjectival phrase) is a phrase that tells us something about
the noun it is modifying. The head (principal) word in an adjective phrase will be an
adjective.
Examples:
A kid on the roof is looking at the sky.
The boy in the shop is my friend.
She bought a beautiful brown chair.
A student from my college won the competition.
Adverb Phrase
A phrase that acts like an adverb in a sentence is called adverb phrase. Like an
adverb, it modifies verb or other adverb in the sentence. It contains an adverb and other words
which, as a whole act as an adverb phrase.
Examples:
He drives car in a very high speed.
The racer was running very fast.
She welcomed the guests in a nice way.
She always speak in a respectful way.
Infinitive phrases
Infinitive phrases start with an infinitive which is followed by any objects, and/or
modifiers.
Examples:
To tour Australia slowly is my dream.
I must study to pass my winter exams with good marks.
Gerund phrases
Gerund phrases consist of a gerund and any objects and/or modifiers. A gerund phrase
can look similar to a participial phrase because the gerund has the same form as the present
participle. The main difference is that the gerund (phrase) functions as a noun (ie. subject, object,
subject complement, appositive), and the participial phrase as an adjective.
Mission Vision
Example:
I enjoy riding my bike in the evening.
Participial phrases
Participial phrases consist of either a past or a present participle and any objects, and/or
modifiers. Participial phrases always function as adjectives within a sentence.
Examples:
That dog keenly hunting the ducks must be a thoroughbred.
Hidden by the trees, Jerry waited to scare Mark.
Absolute Phrases
Absolute phrases are made of nouns or pronouns followed by a participle and any modifiers of
the noun or pronoun. Absolute phrases contain a subject (unlike participial phrases), and no
predicate. They serve to modify an entire sentence.
Examples:
Joan looked nervous, her fears creeping up on her.
Tom paled when he came home, his mother standing in the doorway.
IV. Evaluation
Instructions: Identify the underlined phrase or clause.
1. Steven’s book, which made Oprah’s Book Club this month, is not in any stores.
a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase
2. While preparing for the speech, Joe couldn’t help but worry about his entrance.
3. Ahmad wants to visit Quebec, but he will need to wait for his next vacation.
4. Hoping for a miracle, the doctors continued the surgery.
5. Our boss supports donating time to charity.
6. Melanie hoped to find a cure for the disease, but she tried to be realistic.
7. After the banquet, the cooks will take a well-deserved break.
8. Joey is hoping for a change to play pool with his uncle.
9. The dog that Sam chose from the litter seems to be healthy.
10. Sam Smith, who recently spoke to the youth group, excels at motivating young
people.
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V. Conclusion
Now I know that you already master the different types of phrases. I try to give you
more knowledge about it. You need to read and practice about the different types of
phrases for you all to be able to master it.
VI. Assignment
1. Pushed beyond endurance, the runner dropped the baton.
2. The shoes he saw in the catalogue are available down the street.
3. The reporter crouched behind that tree got the best picture of the arrest.
4. Keith tried supporting both teams, but his heart was with Oregon.
5. Katrina, who resented being left at home, drew on the walls with her crayons.
6. Arnold hoped to find an answer to the funding shortfall.
7. Pressed for time, the agent ran the red light.
8. His uncle thinks that working for the government is the key to stability.
9. Richard’s chance to make his point slipped away.
10. Is it possible that Joshua will compete against that man?
VII. References
https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/adverbial_phrases.htm
https://english.ucalgary.ca/grammar/course/sentence/2_4d.htm
https://www.studyandexam.com/types-of-phrase.html
https://www.englishgrammar.org/absolute-phrase/
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Types of Phrases

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Bataan Peninsula State University Teaching Grammar and Literature Second Semester

College of Education John Carlo R. Austria A.Y. 2018-2019

Instruction: Circle or Box the types of phrases

III. Lesson Proper

A phrase can act as a noun, an adjective, a preposition or an adverb. The function

Phrase = noun + modifiers or determiners

They hired a huge beautiful home.

A woman in the window shouted for the help.

She bought a decent black shirt.

One of our close relatives never drinks coffee.

A phrase comprising a preposition and object of preposition (noun or pronoun) is

The kids were laughing at the joker.

The teacher looked at the black-board.

A phrase that acts like an adjective in a sentence is called adjective phrase. It

A kid on the roof is looking at the sky.

The boy in the shop is my friend.

She bought a beautiful brown chair.

A student from my college won the competition.

He drives car in a very high speed.

The racer was running very fast.

She welcomed the guests in a nice way.

She always speak in a respectful way.

To tour Australia slowly is my dream.

I must study to pass my winter exams with good marks.

I enjoy riding my bike in the evening.

That dog keenly hunting the ducks must be a thoroughbred.

Hidden by the trees, Jerry waited to scare Mark.

Joan looked nervous, her fears creeping up on her.

1. Pushed beyond endurance, the runner dropped the baton.

a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase

a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase

a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase

a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase

a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase

6. Arnold hoped to find an answer to the funding shortfall.

a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase

7. Pressed for time, the agent ran the red light.

a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase

a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase

9. Richard’s chance to make his point slipped away.

a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase

10. Is it possible that Joshua will compete against that man?

a. prepositional phrase b. participial phrase c. gerund phrase d. infinitive phrase

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