I> DEFINITION

English syntax) which is usually A phrase is a syntax unit (a string of words that conform to the rules of made up of more than one word, and is immediate between word and clause level in sentences (Finch, 2000 : 112)

II> CLASSIFICATION II.1> NOUN PHRASE

II.1.1> Structure PRE-NOMINAL MODIFIER + HEAD NOUN + POST-NOMINAL MODIFIER Ex: the new market downtown
Pre-nom.Mod. Head Post-nom.Mod.

PRENOMINAL MODIFIERS restricterpredeterminer determinerpostdeterminer adjectivenoun modifierNOUN HEAD

E.g.:-just another romantic college girl -both those two aimless male fellows -all her first red summer roses

Post nominal modifiers

-adjectives/adjective phrases, e.g. any room available - Adverbs, e.g.: the people upstairs are - adjective/relative clause adjectival, e.g.: a person who you can rely on - noun phrase adjectival, e.g.: the decision that time was correct

- prepositional phrase adjectival, e.g.: a gift from God, peace at heart - non-finite clause-adjectival which may be an infinitive clause, or a present/past participle clause, e.g.: the person to clean up the party, the man standing by the door, the memories forgotten for twenty years - appositive adjectival, e.g.: Mary Evans, a graduate in journalism, became a feature writer for the Saturday review;

 Subject An air of quiet grief pervades the countryside. Direct object She recalls that summer of their engagement Indirect object She gave the homeless children her life. Retained object She was given choices to make. Subject complement Love is the most beautiful sentiment the Lord has put into the soul of men and women.

II.1.2> Functions

 Object complement I find it an impossible mission. Prepositional complement (=OP) She walked down the long carpeted aisle. Pre-nominal modifier The radiant summers red roses stayed forever in my mind Appositive Her brother, a world-wide famous philanthropist, has gone to Brazil as a missionary. Adjunct Ive been there three times.

II.2> VERB PHRASE II.2.1> Structure

NOT + UP TO 4 AUXILIARIES + LEXICAL VERB E.g.: will not have been being considered

 Tense: past, present, future Aspect: progressive/continuous, perfective, e.g.: Im going for a walk; Ive left Saigon for ten years Mood: indicative (Were going to the movies this evening), imperative (Close the door), subjunctive (If I were him, I wouldnt let her go) Voice, e.g.: The storm hit the central region. (active) The central region was hit by the storm. (passive) Number, e.g. She likes ice-cream; Mary has finished the course; Does Anne come from Canada? Person, e.g. Was I wrong? He wasnt at Marys party last night.

II.2.2> Characteristics

 Finite verb phrase: functions as a verb assuming the role of predicate in a sentence -The child is sleeping. - I know a man who can help. predicate Non-finite verb phrase: functions as adjunct to modify a whole sentence -She stopped and stood quietly in the dark, listening to the notes of a childhood song (circumstance adjunct) -To understand them better, she submerged herself into the needy community (adjunct of purpose)

II.2.3> Functions