Phrases and Clauses

What is a Phrase?

A phrase is a group of words that act as a single part of speech but do not contain both a subject and a verb. Phrases cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Types of Phrases:

• Noun Phrase: A group of words with a noun as the main word.
  Example: The big red car is mine.

• Verb Phrase: A main verb plus its helping verbs.
  Example: She is running fast.

• Adjective Phrase: As explained above, modifies a noun.
  Example: The girl very talented won the prize.

• Adverb Phrase: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
  Example: He ran very quickly.

• Prepositional Phrase: Begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun.
  Example: The book on the table is mine.