Phrase: Simplified Meaning, Types And Usage In English Grammar

What is a Phrase?

A phrase is a sequence of words used as a unit. A phrase is a group of words without a subject and predicate that functions as a single part of a sentence. It can function as (1) an Adjective (2) an Adverbs, (3)a Preposition (4) a Verb and a Noun.

Types of Phrase

Basically, we have:

1. Noun Phrase:- This is a group of words without a finite verb but can function as a replacement for a noun in a sentence. A noun phrase has a noun or pronoun as its head word. Examples:
(i) The intelligent girl is in my class.
(ii) The man at the gate is my father.
(iii) All the fishermen came to the river for their fishing business.
(iv) She returned my new pen.

Functions of a Noun Phrase
As a subject of a verb.

1 a. Praising the teacher is the student’s delight.
b. The tall fat boy has come again.

As object of a verb
2a. It gives me joy to teach the children.
b. The Policeman slapped the tall girl.

As compliment of a verb
3a. Wole Soyinka, the renowned playwright of Obafemi Awolowo University is in exile.
The underlined words are opposition words that give more information to the subject.
b. He is the new Chairman.
c. Mr. Ibe, a great teacher writes and sing.
d. Governor Fashola, the active man has travelled to China.

6. Phrasal Verb
Phrasal verb is made up of a verb, followed by a preposition or an adverb.
Examples:- put in faor, do away from, put up with, keep away from, make do with, run out of, get round to, look forward to, look up to, look down on, look out for, go through with, go on with etc.

In sentences
1. Taiwo gave up the book to the teacher.
2. Our school team never gives in to the opponent.
3. The visitor came in without knocking.
4. He went up the ladder and gave it to him.

A phrasal verb can also be made up of a verb and as an adverb. Examples:-
5. How much did the manager give in the money?
6. Audu went out a few minutes ago.
7. The Police stepped in and dispersed the crowd.

Adverbial Phrase
Like a one – word adverb, an adverbial phrase modifies a verb. It can contain a preposition. As a matter of fact, it is often described as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb. Therefore, what actually makes it an adverbial phrase is its use as a modifier of a verb. Examples:
a. The man was killed in his sleep.
b. I met them on my way up the stair case.
c. They left the baby in her cot.
d. Tolu and Ayo got married last year for love sake.

Adjectival Phrase
As in the case with adverbial phrase, an adjectival phrase also contains a preposition which qualifies a noun, a pronoun or another adjective. Like a pronoun or another adjective like a one-word adjective, an adjectival phrase may come immediately before the noun it qualifies or made to function as the compliment of a linking verb. Examples:
1. They like the man in red shirt.
2. I am a small man with tall dreams.

Note:- A small man is a compliment of I, with tall dream qualified the man.

Verbal Phrase
A verbal phrase is the predicate in a sentence. A sentence is divided into subject and predicate. The predicate explains what the subject does or is doing. Examples:-

Subject Predicate (Verbal Phrase)
1. The boy is running.
2. Kalu bought four books.
3. The teacher has collected all the books.
4. Audu is riding a bicycle.
5. His sister was happy.
6. The city is large.

ASSIGNMENT
Identify the noun phrase.
a. He is waiting for the headmaster.
b. Alice gave her first pay to her mother.
c. He is the new manager.
d. She accepted our apology.

Tabulate the following sentences into: Noun phrase, subject phrasal verbs, noun phrase (object) and Adverbial phrase.

1. Mr. Dada ran up a huge hill at the departmental store.
2. The Lawyer drew up a contract for his Client.
3. The bus took off without any passenger.
4. The eyewitness tipped off the Police at once.
5. Mr. Lawal has given up smoking at last.

In summary, phrase forms an integral part of English grammar. Without it, there will be no good written and spoken English. We need phrase for a sequence of words as a unit to function as a single part of a sentence.