PHRASE

Phrase?
• A group of words
• DOES NOT give meanings if used alone
• NO subject verb combination

• Cat is sitting near the table.

• She made a cup of tea.
• Ali sings a lyrical poem.
 TYPES OF PHRASES
There are Seven (7) types of phrases in English
language.
(1) Noun Phrase
(2) Verb phrase
(3) Adjective Phrase
(4) verb Phrase
(5) Prepositional phrase
(6) Infinitive Phrase
(7) Adverbial Phrase
 Noun Phrase
• A phrase in which a noun or pronoun
functions as the head of the phrase.

• It may include determiners/ modifiers/

quantifiers {dependent words} before or after
the head. e.g.

 Little children ran outside to play.

 He drank a glass of milk.
 A girl on the chair was singing.
 The girl sang a song.
 Noun Phrase
1. Classified into three [3] kinds;

a) Appositive Phrase
b) Absolute Phrase
c) Gerund Phrase
 (a) Appositive Phrase
1. It modifies the noun/pronoun come before
2. Offset by a coma. e.g.

Examples:

 Mr. Mughal, my English teacher, is leaving for

Islamabad.

 She started reading Iqbal, the poet of East.

 Ruth Pfau, the social worker, was a great woman.

 (b) Absolute Phrase
1. It modifies the entire structure

2. Structure: Noun + participle (nominative)

3. No use of TO BE or AUXILARY or MAIN verb combination.
e.g
Noun participle
Examples:
 She looks happy, her face expressing joy.

 Awais looks tired, his mood looking off.

 His face getting pale, Anas kept running till the
hospital.
 (C) Gerund Phrase
1. Look like a verb but functions as a Noun or
Pronoun
Structure: Verb+ ing

Example

1. She loves reading books.

2. Moving to the forest was terrible.
3. I like catching a fish.
 2. Prepositional Phrase
• A phrase in which preposition shows relationship
with a noun/pronoun.
• Most often come with adjective phrase.

Example

• A student on the road was riding a bike.

• She behaves in a very good manner.
• He jumped into the river.
 3. Adjective Phrase
• A phrase which gives information about a
noun/pronoun.

Examples:

• He gave me a glass full of milk.

• Bilal is wearing a nice blue shirt.
• New president was elected.
 4. Verb Phrase
• A phrase consist of main verb/ auxiliary verb.

Examples:

• He is writing a letter.
• I have done my work.
• They have been playing hockey for 2 hours.
 5. Participle Phrase
• Consist of 1st form of the verb+ ing or past
participle (ed) of regular verb.
• Perform the work of an adjective
• Examples:

• The boys shouting in the class need motivation.

• She rejected the idea asking about her
participation.
 6. Infinitive Phrase
• A phrase in which Infinitive is used as
Base form to modify the verb.
Examples:

• She likes to play Tennis.

• To perform Hajj is a desire of every Muslim.
 7. Adverb Phrase
• It modifies a verb in the phrase
and functions like an adverb.

Examples:

• He goes for a walk daily.

• Asad does his work with dedication