Phrase Power

8/2/2019 Phrase Power

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PHRASEA phrase is group of word whichdoes not contain finite verb but

which functions as a noun, anadjective or an adverb within a

sentence.

Also phrase refers to a sequenceof two or more words arranged

in grammatical construction andacting as unit in a sentence thatsequence of the words intended

to have meaning


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A finite verb refers to a form of averb that shows agreement with asubject, is marked for a tense

contrast with non-finite verb. If thereis just one verb in a sentence if isfinite. Or phrase is a group of word

which conveys meanings but notcomplete thought of meaning. Thefollowing are types of phrases;


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There are three parts within a noun phrasestructure,

Head, Determiner, Modifier .Head this the keyword in a phrase and it cannot be omitted. For

example- The rich are getting richer. H

Also determiner is reference of the noun thatspecifies the range of the reference of the noun

by making it definite, indefinite or indicatingquantity. Example of determiner are the, my, a,an, this, that, those


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And modifier is the last structure withinnoun phrase, this is word that modifies,link , meaning to a noun, verb, adjectiveor adverb, for exampleHe ate quickly

(quickly, is an adverb that modifies theverb ate) -She was extremely

tired (extremely is an adverb that modifiesan adjective tired)

-She is a beautifulgirl (beautiful is an adjective that modifiesthe noun girl)


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Other example I shall wait for you here.

-I shall wait for you on thisspot. While the group of word on this spot

is an adverb phrase. -The bats flew in swiftly

manner.

-The parrots flew in full

speed. -The pigeon flew in quick

manner.


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Verb phrase

Verb phrase they are easy to recognize. Theyconsist of a verb and all the related helpingwords. Verb phrase may function as single-wordverbs and compliment.

Example; -I have been asking for raisefor ten years.

-I have just been working onthis, and the problem is in the cable

-John is coming -James may come


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Prepositional phrase

Prepositional phrase, is a word thatserves to connect major words (usuallynoun) to other parts of the sentence. Some

preposition also belongs to other classes(adverbs, conjunctions, adjectives).Prepositional phrases start with apreposition (such as in, at, by, for, to and

over), have a noun or pronoun object ofthe preposition, and may also have othermodifiers.


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Prepositional phrases function asadjectives, adverbs, or nouns.Thefollowing are the example of

prepositional phrase - The announcement for the play

arrived after it was over. (Asadjective)


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-He walked into the meeting just as the president arrived.(As adverb)

- For you to pass your test is the reason for having a tutor.(As noun in this case, the subject.

-She gave the information to me. (As indirect object)

As adjectives in the noun phrases (post modifier) Example. -The boy with a hat. H - Post-modifier -The pen on the table H-post modifier As adverbials within the clause structure Example -I like sitting by the door (of place) -I will see you at noon (of time)


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As compliment to verbs ExampleThat bundle consist of rubbish -It is made of wood

As adjective Compliments (Post-Modify Adjective in

Adjective phrases) Adjective (PP) Adj Compliment ExampleHe is aware of the problem. -We are keen on the issue. -He is sorry for his parents.

As object of another preposition Exampleshe will be here in under half an hour Pre pre ph (object)


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Gerund phrase

Gerund phrase, is another type of phrase, this formed froma gerund plus its related words. A gerund is a verb with an

ing ending that functions as a noun. Gerund phrases looklike some participial phrases. The difference is thatparticipial phrases function as adjectives; gerund phrasesfunction as nouns.

Example; - Geralds singing always National song. (Assubject)

- Sam hates getting a headache when he workslate. (As direct object)

- His favourite activity is sailing down the RuvuRiver. (As subject complement)

-Travelling can be educational (As gerund)


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Infinitive verb

Infinitive phrase, this is formed from an infinitiveand other related words. An infinitive is the wordto be followed by the verb .This type of phrasefunction as noun an adjective or an adverb

-To get an appointment with him requires a greatpatience (As a noun subject)

-He wanted to see the Clock Tower, but he didntknow where it was (As a noun direct object)

-He wrote a letter to raise funds for thefoundation (As an adverb)

-The decision to eliminate vacations was veryunpopular (As an adjective).


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Absolute phrase

Absolute phrase also is another type ofphrase or sometime known as a"nominative absolute," which contains anoun phrase subject and a "partial"

predicate. Absolute phrases resembleclauses, but the predicate is incomplete,with forms of the word "be" being deletedfrom the phrase. Absolute phrasesfunction as a type of modifier that explains

more about the general circumstancesoccurring in the main clause. They may beplaced at almost any position in thesentence.,


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Example of absolute as underlined on thefollowing sentence

- The plumber disappeared into the hole, apipe wrench in his hand.

- Its lights off and its doors locked, themansion looked spooky in the moonlight.

- Many boatstheir anchors buried in the

sandlay on the salty bed of the dried-upsea. Also apart from this there is anothertypes of phrase


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Participial phrases are formed fromparticiples and all the related words.Participles are formed from verbs

and end in "ing" or "ed." Participlesfunction as adjectives. They oftendescribe the subject of the sentence.


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Example of participial phrases shown onthe following sentence above

- Laughing wildly, she ran down the path.(Describes "she")

- The actor, pausing for a moment, lookedat the crowd. (Describes "actor")

- He showed us the cabinet, painted abrilliant green. (Describes the object"cabinet")


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As we have already seen different types ofphrase the following are the functions of phrase,

-The bus at the corner is an express. Theunderlined word at the corner is an adjectivephrase which modifying the noun bus

-which of this buses will leave first? .Underlinedwords are adjective phrase which modifying thepronoun which.

-During the night you should ride this car into thecity. Adverb phrases modifying the verb phraseshould ride.

Youre walking too fast for your own good.Underlined word adverb phrase modifying theadverb fast


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In order to convey the full meaninga phrase is linked together with otherparts of speech such as nouns,

adverb, preposition to make a nounphrase, verb to make a verb phrase,adverb to get an adverbial phrase.


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REFERENCE -WRITERS CHOICE, GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION (United

States of America) (1997)

-SELF-INSTRUCTION IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR .By K.S.Joseph

(Ed)DR.M.S.Yadav &DR.M.B.Menon

-Comprehensive English Grammar and CompositionC.D.SIDHU(Third Rev.Ed:2004)

-A University Grammar of English, R. Quirk, S. Greenbaum,G. Leech, J. Svatvik(2005)

Internet source -http://www.englshgrammar.com -http://www.pearsoned.co.in

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Phrase Power