Common Types of Phrases

There are several types of phrases used in English that are named after the most important words used in that phrase. By learning what these phrases look like and how they are used, the writer can construct stronger sentences. 1. Verb phrase Verb phrases are easy to recognize. They consist of a verb and all the related helping words. Verb phrases function as single-word verbs, to express action or to link subject and complement. 1.1 I have been asking for a raise for ten years. (Verb phrases may consist of adjacent words) 1.2 Despite being an actor, he has never actually succeeded in learning many lines. (Verb phrases may have other words that interrupt them) 1.3 I've just been working on this, and the problem is in the cable. (Verb phrases may contain a contraction) 2. Prepositional phrase Prepositional phrases start with a preposition (such as in, at, by, for, to, over, etc.), have a noun or pronoun object of the preposition, and may also have other modifiers. Prepositional phrases function as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. 2.1 The announcement for the play arrived after it was over. (As adjective) 2.2 He walked into the meeting just as the president arrived. (As adverb) 2.3 For you to pass your test is the reason for having a tutor. (As noun; in this case, the subject) 2.4 She gave the information to me. (As indirect object) 3. Participial phrase Participial phrases are formed from participles and all the related words. Participles are formed from verbs and end in "ing" or "ed." Participles function as adjectives; therefore, participial phrases also function as adjectives. They often describe the subject of the sentence. 3.1 Laughing wildly, she ran down the path. (Describes "she") 3.2 The actor, pausing for a moment, looked at the crowd. (Describes "actor") 3.3 He showed us the cabinet, painted a brilliant green. (Describes the object "cabinet") 4. Infinitive phrase An infinitive phrase is formed from an infinitive and other related words. An infinitive is the word "to" followed by a verb. This type of phrase functions as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. 4.1 To get an appointment with him requires a great amount of patience. (As a noun subject) 4.2 He wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, but he didn't know where it was. (As a noun direct object) 4.3 He wrote a letter to raise funds for the foundation. (As an adverb)

4.4 The decision to eliminate vacations was very unpopular. (As an adjective) 5. Gerund phrase A gerund phrase if formed from a gerund plus its related words. A gerund is a verb with an "ing" ending that functions as a noun. Gerund phrases look like some participial phrases. The difference is that participial phrases function as adjectives; gerund phrases function as nouns. 5.1 Geraldine's singing always enthralls the audience. (As subject) 5.2 Sam hates getting a headache when he works late. (As direct object) 5.3 His favorite activity is sailing down the Nahanni River. (As subject complement) 6. Absolute phrase An absolute phrase, also called a "nominative absolute," contains a noun phrase subject and a "partial" predicate. Absolute phrases resemble clauses, but the predicate is incomplete, with forms of the word "be" being deleted from the phrase. Absolute phrases function as a type of modifier that explains more about the general circumstances occurring in the main clause. They may be placed at almost any position in the sentence. 6.1 The plumber disappeared into the hole, a pipe wrench in his hand. 6.2 Its lights off and its doors locked, the mansion looked spooky in the moonlight. 6.3 Many boatstheir anchors buried in the sandlay on the salty bed of the dried-up sea.

A phrase is a group of words without both a subject and predicate. Phrases combine words into a larger unit that can function as a sentence element. For example, a participial phrase can include adjectives, nouns, prepositions and adverbs; as a single unit, however, it functions as one big adjective modifying a noun (or noun phrase). See this overview of phrases for more.

Noun Phrase - The crazy old lady in the park feeds the pigeons every day. A noun phrase consists of a noun and all of its modifiers, which can include other phrases (like the prepositional phrase in the park).More examples.

Appositive Phrase Bob, my best friend, works here or My best friend Bob works here. An appositive (single word, phrase, or clause) renames another noun, not technically modifying it. See this page from the Armchair Grammarian for everything you ever wanted to know about appositives.

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Gerund Phrase - I love baking cakes. A gerund phrase is just a noun phrase with a gerund as its head. Infinitive Phrase I love to bake cakes. An infinitive phrase is a noun phrase with an infinitive as its head. Unlike the other noun phrases, however, an infinitive phrase can also function as an adjective or an adverb. More examples.

Verb Phrase The verb phrase can refer to the whole predicate of a sentence (I was

watching my favorite show yesterday) or just the verbor verb group (was watching).
Adverbial Phrase The adverbial phrase also has two definitions; some say its a group of adverbs (very quickly), while others say its any phrase (usually a prepositional phrase) that acts as an adverb see this second definition.

Adjectival Phrase As with adverbial phrases, adjectival phrases can either refer to a group of adjectives (full of toys) or any phrase (like a participial or prepositional phrase) that acts as an adjective see thissecond definition.

Participial Phrase Crushed to pieces by a sledgehammer, the computer no longer worked or I think the guy sitting over there likes you. A participial phrase has a past or present participle as its head. Participial phrases always function as adjectives.

Prepositional Phrase The food on the table looked delicious. A prepositional phrase, which has a preposition as its head, can function as an adjective, adverb, or even as a noun.

Absolute Phrase My cake finally baking in the oven, I was free to rest for thirty minutes. Unlike participial phrases, absolute phrases have subjects and modify the entire sentence, not one noun. Almost aclause, the absolute phrase can include every sentence element except a finite verb. For example, My cake finally baking in

the oven would be its own sentence if you just added one finite verb: My cake was finally baking in the oven. See Absolute Phrase for more. Next, see English Grammar: Types of Clauses.