Types of Phrases: Definition and Types with Example Sentences

Phrases

A phrase is a collection or combination of two or more words. It is not a complete sentence but a unit of a complete sentence. By itself, it does not deliver a complete idea. it is not a clause because there is no subject and no predicate in it.

Types of Phrases

1. Noun Phrase

It is generally assembled focusing on a single noun and performs as a subject, an object, or a complement in the sentence.

Example Sentences:

I like to hit the ball hard when I am playing. (An object)
Reading books is a good hobby. (A subject)
The probability of winning the match is not enough. (A subject)
I am sorry for his departure.
The girl needs to go home.

2. Verb phrase

A verb phrase is a combination of words that contains the main verb and other verbs that link the subject to the subject complement.

Example Sentences:

Jenny was walking his cat.
He will go to the pool party today.
I am going to deliver my sermon.
He is listening to music.
Tom was playing

3. Adjective Phrases

Sometimes, we have seen that a combination of words does the work of an adjective. This combination of words is called an Adjective Phrase.

Example Sentences:

The Diesel was a healthy
The Jennifer was a woman of great wealth.
The judge was a kind
Our boss lived in a wooden
They belonged to a valley dwelling in the mountains.

4. Adverb Phrases

An Adverb Phrase refers to a combination of words that work as an Adverb in a sentence.

Example Sentences:

Ramos ran hurriedly. (How?)
He replied in a very impolite way. (How?)
He does his job with care. (How?)
He is going now. (When?)
No such viruses were identified in those days. (When?)

Types of Phrases with Example sentences

5. Prepositional Phrase

A prepositional phrase is a combination of words including a preposition and an object. In a sentence, a prepositional phrase can either act as an adjective or adverb. It always starts with a preposition and joins nouns.

Example Sentences:

In the end, we all have to leave.
He is on the way home.
The cat runs into the carton.
By working uselessly, you can’t achieve anything.
In spite of working hard, he was failed in the exams.

Note: Prepositional phrases contain all other phrases.

6. Participial Phrase

Whenever Participial Phrases used in a sentence, they start with either a past or present participle. It ends with a comma or commas.

Example Sentences:

Walking fast, I keep observing right and left.
Mounting the hill, she swayed at us.
I saw back, igniting the engine.
I got a call from my father, telling us the good news.
The farm was destroyed by the flood.
Please sit in a row without making noise.

7. Gerund Phrase

These types of phrases contain a Gerund, its modifier(s) and the further essential elements. They act as Nouns same as Gerunds themselves and that depicts, they can be Subjects and Objects.

Example Sentences:

Eating plenty of food in one sitting is a bad thing.
Doing the plates gives me cold aversions.
I hate rushing right before the time limit.
Working helped a lot. (subject)
I love reading novels.

8. Infinitive Phrase

The Infinitive Phrase is included infinitive verbs (To + base form of verb) along with their modifiers or complements.

Example Sentences:

They love to play together.
He likes to help others in difficult times.
Tina walks fast to reach there on time.
To give to foundation is an honorable thing. (subject)
The neighbors have assured to stop playing in front of our door.

Types of Phrases with Example sentences

9. Absolute Phrase

Absolute phrases are the complicated to recognize. These phrases are not closely linked to the rest of the sentence; they never define a specific word, but change the complete sentence. They add more information and are generally separated by commas or dashes.

Example Sentences: