Phrase and Its Types

Definition:
A group of words that express a concept and is used as a unit within a sentence. They are used
for sayings, parts of speech, quotations etc. For example, reading a book, to be free, totally
delicious food, running water, buttery popcorn etc.
Formation:
Subject + No Predicate= Phrase (Incomplete Thought)
Types:

Type of Phrase Formation Function in a Examples

Sentence
Noun Phrase Noun + Modifiers Act like a Noun  The big dog
with hot
popcorn ran to
the country
fair.
 I bought a
neon green
ten-speed
bicycle.
Prepositional Phrase Preposition Act like Preposition  The dog is at
+Modifiers the country
fair.
 Her attitude
may seem
different to
you.
Gerund Phrase -ing form + verb + Act like a Subject  Running for
modifers (Noun) President is a
serious
ambition.
 Eating small
meals
throughout
the day can
help you
avoid hunger
pains.
Participle Phrase -ing form +verb Act like an Adjective  Crunching
+modifiers (in case of caramel corn
present participle)
 -ed form (third form for the entire
of verb)+modifers (in movie.
case of past  The
participle) horse trotting
up to the
fence hopes
that you have
an apple or
carrot.
 The water
drained
slowly in the
pipe clogged
with hair
Infinitive Phrase To +first form of  Will someone
verb+modifiers be here to
open the
door?
 I had to wait
for my turn to
fill the water
bucket.
Appositive Phrase Noun/Noun  Gives name to  The dog’s
Phrase+Modifiers the previously favourite
mentioned food, hot,
noun in the salty, buttery
sentence popcorn.
 Makes  Cuts and
sentence more bruises, minor
descriptive by injuries for
acting like a most children,
modifier are treated by
the school
nurse.
Absolute Phrase Noun+Participle+  Complete and  Mouth
Modifier holistic sense watering with
to the excitement,
sentence the dog
dreamed of
eating meat.
 We all sighed
in relief,
James having
found his
passport.