1

PHRASES
Phrases and their types - Phrases are those parts of sentences, which do not
make a complete sense of their own, but are a group of words.
Grammatically, it can be said that phrases do not follow the s.v. or s.v.o.
pattern, e.g.,
The Sun rises in the east.
Ram sat on a chair.
It was a sunrise of great beauty.
Phrases are of the following types
Adjective Phrases are those, which add something to the meaning of
a noun, i.e., works just like an adjective, by describing a noun, e.g.,
I like to see a smiling face.
I like to see a face with a smile on it.
The minister lived in a wooden house.
The minister lived in a house built of wood.
The MLA was a wealthy man.
The MLA was a man of great wealth.
Change adjective into adjective phrases
1. The magistrate was a kind man. (for us with a kindly nature)

2. The king wore a golden crown. (for us made of gold)

3. Aishwarya Rai is a green-eyed beauty. (for us with green eyes)

4. We explored along a jungle track) ( for us-through the jungle)

5. He wanted a blank page. (for us with no writing on it)

2

Change underlined adjective by an adjective phrase of the same

meaning.
1. A gray cloud spread over the sky.

2. He had a bald head.

3. She wore a diamond necklace.

4. It was a horrible night.

5. That was a cowardly act.

Special Note Not all of the adjective phrases can be replaced by

adjectives, and, vice versa.
Fill in the blanks with suitable adjective phrases.
1. Birds of a feather flock together.
2. Children like books with pictures.
3. He leads a life of a hermit.
4. The leaves of the tree are glossy.
5. The verdict of the judge was in his favour.
Adverb Phrases - are those, which add something to the meaning of a
verb, adjective or another adverb, e.g.,
1. Ram does his work carelessly. (Adverb)
2. Ram does his work without any care. (Adverb Phrase)
3. Manoj is coming now. (Adverb)
4. Manoj is coming at this very moment. (Adverb Phrase)
5. Rita fell down. (Adverb)
6. Rita fell to the ground. (Adverb Phrase)
Change adverb into adverb phrase.
1. The pigeon flies swiftly. (for us with swiftness/in a swift manner)
2. Gently fell the rain. (for us in a gentle manner)
3. They have only recently arrived. (for us a short time ago)
3

4. He spoke eloquently. (for us-with eloquence)

5. He tried hard. (for us- with all his might)
Replace the underlined adverb by an adverb phrase of the same
meaning.
1. Ranjan behaves well.
2. He expects to get a promotion soon.
3. Go away.
4. They were hurrying homeward.
5. The labourers worked cheerfully.
Fill in the blanks with suitable adverb phrases.
1. Do not answer at random.
2. I agree to please him.
3. He has behaved in a responsible manner.
4. That happened sometime ago.
5. He failed in his duty.

NOUN PHRASES

A Noun Phrase is a group of words that does the work of a Noun. Noun
Phrases can either be the subject or the object of a sentence.
Grammatically it is the Noun+some words. It is usually a combination of
an INDEFINITE, i.e., TO +VERB or a GERUND = verb + -ing
For e.g.
1. The boy wants to go home.
2. We enjoy playing cricket.
4

The group of words, to go home, is the object of the verb wants, in

sentence 1. Hence this group of words does the work of a noun. The
group of words, to go home is therefore, a Noun Phrase.
EXERCISE (to be dictated)
Pick out the Noun Phrases in the following sentences.
1. His father wishes to speak to the head master.
2. Horses prefer living in dark stables.
3. I should hate to do such a thing.
4. Thinking good thoughts precedes good actions.
5. Promise to come again.
EXERCISE
1. The wicked vizier loves getting people into trouble.
2. He dislikes having to punish his servants.
3. He refuses to answer the question.
4. He denies steeling the money.
5. Have you ever tried climbing a coconut palm?
EXERCISE
Fill in the blanks with suitable Noun Phrases-
1. To behave like that seems dishonest.
2. Do you wish to go home?
3. He wishes to be a lawyer.
4. His father promised to continue his education.
5. Going to McDonalds gives me no pleasure.
5

PHRASES IN USAGE ACCORDING TO FLUENCY

THUNDERSTRUCK - flabbergasted, bewildered, surprised, astonished
e.g. The town was thunderstruck with the news of scandal.
ROMP to play happily, but in rough manner
e.g. - Children enjoy romping in garden.
SAUVE - smooth, polished, gracious
e.g. He is as sauve as a diplomat
PIGHEADED - stubborn, bull headed
e.g. He is 80 pigheaded you cant reason with him.
PEERLESS unequal, matchless, supreme, flawless, surpassing.
e.g. Paganini palyed with peerless artistry.
SPUNK gets, daring, boldness
DREARY gloomy, cheerless, sad, dismal, mournful, melancholy.
CONVALESCENT getting better after being ill.
AUDICIOUS bold and daring.
ITINERARY travel plan, schedule, and detailed plan for a trip.

ABSOLUTE PHRASE
An Absolute Phrases is a group of words consisting of a Noun or Pronoun. a
participle and related modifiers, and modify the entire sentence by adding
information.
E.g. 1. The season nearly finished, Rahul and Yuraj emerged as true leaders.
2. The two film stars signed autographs into the night, their faces
beaming happily.
3. They new all two well, how all their hard work could be undone, in
an instant.
6

ABSOLUTE PHRASE CAN TAKE THE, FORM OF PP, ADJECTIVE P

OR NOUN PHRASE.
INFINITIVE PHRASE
They can act as adjective, adverb and Noun and the Verb is always
preceded by to+vb.
E.g. 1. She wanted to raise taxes.
2. To know her is to love her.
3. John went to college to study medicine.
GERUND PHRASE
They usually end in ING and act as Noun, associated with suitable
modifiers.
For e.g. 1. Gamming for tests is not a good study strategy.
2. John enjoyed swimming in the pool after dark.
3. Im not interested in studying for the rest of my life.

PARTICIPLE PHRASES
They always act as Adjective, generally end in ING or ED and are used in
combination with modifiers.
E.g. 1. The college staircase having been worn down by generations
of students needs to be replaced.
2. Working around the clock the firefighters finally put out the fire in
the skyscrapers.
4. The pond, frozen over since early Dec., is now safe for ice-skating.
7

APPOSITIVE PHRASE
It follows the Noun or Pronoun and changes its meaning , i.e. renames or
amplifies the word that immediately precedes it.
E.g. 1. My favourite teacher, a good boxer in his own right, has won
several state level tournaments.
2. The best exercise, walking briskly, is also the least expensive.

EXAMPLES OF COMMON PHRASES IN USE

1. Black Market
2. Son of a gun
3. Beat around the bush
4. Saved by the bell
5. Burning the candles at both ends
6. Giving someone the cold shoulders
7. Getting a square meal
8. Eating humble pie
9. Straight from the horses month
10.When the chips are down
11.In the pink
12.Loose cannon
13.Feathers in your cap
14.Over the top
15.The whole nine yards
16. Clean bill of health
8

17.In the doldrums

18.Parked with flying colours
19.Tie the knot
20.Under the gun

ADJECTIVE PHRASES e.g.

1. The Russian navy was defeated.
2. The navy of Russia was defeated.
3. The judge was a generous man.
4. The judge was a man of a generous nature.
5. A valuable document was found yesterday.
6. A document of great value was found yesterday.
7. A golden ring A ring made of gold.
8. A popular hero A hero liked by the people.
9. A popular city A city having a large number of inhabitants.
10.A deserted village A village without any inhabitants
11.A religious man A man of religious nature.
12.A silken turban A turban made of silk.
13.A diamond necklace A necklace set with diamond.

ADEVRB PHRASES E.g.

1. She answered rudely.
She answered in a rude manner.
2. He was a magistrate then.
He was a magistrate in those days.
3. God is everywhere.
God is in every place.
9

4. Bravely in a brave manner, or with bravery.

5. Foolishly in a foolish manner.
6. Undoubtedly without any care.
7. Carelessly without any care.
8. Formerly informer times or once upon a time.
9. Immediately at once/before very long/in a few moments.
10.Soon in a short time/before very long/in a few moments
11.Recently not long ago.
12.There at, in, or to, that place.
13. Abroad in or to a foreign country.
14.Upwards towards a higher place/level.

NOUN PHRASES e.g.

1. She loves to paint her thoughts.
2. I enjoyed playing badminton.
3. To know one self is a difficult task.
4. Thinking good thoughts make a good man.
5. To err is human.
6. I enjoyed walking in the fields.
7. I hate to oppress a poor helpless man.
8. To dance in the street is disgraceful.
9. I like visiting historical monuments.
10.To forgive ones enemies is noble.