Phrase

A phrase is a group of words that adds meaning to a sentence. A phrase is not a sentence because it is not a complete idea with a subject, verb and a predicate.

English has five different kinds of phrases, one for each of the main parts of speech. In a phrase, the main word or the word that is that is the subject of the phrase is called the head. In the following examples, it is printed in bold. The other words in the phrase do the work of changing, or modifying the head.

In a noun phrase, one or more words work together to give more information about a noun.

 all my dear children 
 the information age 
 seventeen hungry lions in the rocks

In an adjective phrase, one or more words work together to give more information about an adjective.

 so very sweet 
 earnest in her desire
 very happy with his work

In a verb phrase, one or more words work together to give more meaning to a verb. In English, the verb phrase is very complex, but a good description of its many forms can be found here.

In an adverb phrase, one or more words work together to give more information about an adverb.

 especially softly 
 formerly of the city of Perth
 much too quickly to see clearly

In a prepositional phrase, one or more words work together to give information about time, location, or possession, or condition. The preposition always appears at the front of the phrase (preposition = pre-position).

 after a very long walk
 behind the old building
 for all the hungry children
 in case it should happen again

Category:Grammar