PHRASES

AND
CLAUSES
How can we identify
Phrases and Clauses?
What is Phrase?
 “A phrase is defined as a group of
related words that lacks both subject and
verb.”
 A phrase is a part of a sentence. It is a
group of words (within a sentence) that
does not express a complete idea.
Example.
He is standing near a wall.
If a group of words include both subject and verb
then it becomes a clause, so the difference in a
clause and a phrase is that a clause contains subject
and verb but a phrase does not contain subject and
verb.

Here are some examples of phrases.

I saw a girl with blue eyes.

He always behaves in a strange way.
The boy in the red shirt is my cousin.
The boy, with a book in his hand, won a prize.

A sentence may consist of one or more phrases.

Example: The boy in the red shirt behaves in a

strange way.
 Types of Phrases
NOUN PHRASE
Examples:
 consists of a noun and  He is wearing a nice red
other related words
shirt. (as noun/object)
(usually modifiers and
determiners) which
modify the noun. It  The boy with brown
functions like a noun in hair is laughing. (as noun
a sentence. /subject)
 consists of a noun as
the head word and  A man on the
other words (usually roof was shouting. (as
modifiers and noun/subject)
determiners) which
come after or before
the noun.
 PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
 consists of a Examples:
preposition, object of
 A boy on the roof is singing
preposition(noun or
a song. (As adjective)
pronoun) and may also
consist of other
modifiers.  The man in the room is
e.g. on a table, near a our teacher. (As adjective)
wall, in the room, at the
door, under a tree  She is shouting in a loud
 starts with a preposition voice. (As adverb)
and mostly ends with a
noun or pronoun.  He always behaves in a
 functions as an good manner. (As adverb)
adjective or adverb in
a sentence.
 ADJECTIVE PHRASE
 group of words that Examples:
functions like an  He is wearing a nice
adjective in a red shirt. (modifies shirt)
sentence.
 consists of adjectives,  The girl with brown hair is
modifier and any word singing a
that modifies a noun or song. (modifies girl)
pronoun.
 He gave me a glass full of
 functions like an water. (modifies glass)
adjective to modify (or
tell about) a noun or a  A boy from America won
pronoun in a sentence. the
race. (modifies boy)
 VERB PHRASE INFINITIVE PHRASE
 a combination of main  consist of an infinitive(to + simple
form of verb) and modifiers or other
verb and its auxiliaries words associated to the infinitive.
(helping verbs) in a  functions as an adjective, adverb
sentence. or a noun in a sentence.
Examples. Examples.

1. He is eating an apple.  He likes to read books. (As

noun/object)
2. She has finished her
 To earn money is a desire of
work. everyone. (As noun/subject)
3. You should study for  He shouted to inform people about
the exam. fire. (As adverb, modifies
4. She has been verb shout)
sleeping for two hours.  He made a plan to buy a
car. (As adjective,
modifies noun plan)
 ADVERB PHRASE GERUND PHRASE
 functions like an adverb  consists of a gerund(verb + ing)
and modifiers or other words
to modify a verb, an associated with the gerund.
adjective or another  A gerund phrase acts as a noun
adverb. in a sentence.
Examples. Examples.
1. He always behaves in a
good manner.  I like writing good
2. They were essays.
shouting in a loud  She started thinking about the
problem. (As noun/object)
voice.
 Sleeping late in night is not a
3. She always drives with good habit. (As
care. noun/subject)
 Weeping of a baby woke him
up. (As
noun/subject)
 PRACTICE EXERCISES 1
Directions: Copy the phrases in your notebook and write its
type.
1. Steven’s book, which made Oprah’s Book Club this
month, is not in any stores.
2. While preparing for the speech, Joe couldn’t help but
worry about his entrance.
3. Ahmad wants to visit Quebec, but he will need to wait for
his next vacation.
4. Hoping for a miracle, the doctors continued the surgery.
5. Our boss supports donating time to charity.
6. Melanie hoped to find a cure for the disease, but she
tried to be realistic.
7. After the banquet, the cooks will take a well-deserved
break.
8. Joey is hoping for a change to play pool with his uncle.
9. The dog that Sam chose from the litter seems to be
healthy.
10. Sam Smith, who recently spoke to the youth group,
excels at motivating young people.
 PRACTICE EXERCISES 2
Directions: Complete the following phrases to form good
sentences.
1. Pushed beyond endurance, __________________
2. down the street______________________________
3. crouched behind that tree supporting both
teams _______________________________________
4. with her crayons_____________________________
5. to find an answer ____________________________
6. Pressed for time ______________________________
7. for the government ___________________________
8. to make his point______________________________
9. against that man_____________________________
CRCreencia
Master Teacher I
DepeEd Makati