Phrases


 A phrase is a group of related words within a
sentence that complements the overall structure of
sentence. A phrase lacks both the subject and the
object. Therefore, a phrase cannot stand alone to give
complete meaning.
 The function of a phrase depends upon its
construction and place in a sentence.
 Types of Phrases

1. Noun Phrase
Noun phrase is a phrase that acts like a noun in the
sentence. It contains a noun & other associated words
(usually determiners & modifiers) which modify the
noun.
A noun phrase comprises of a noun as a headword and
other related words may come before or after the noun
Example :
The melt of metal, the metal bars,
2. Prepositional Phrase
Prepositional phrase is a phrase comprising a preposition
and object of preposition (noun or pronoun). It may also
contain other modifiers. 
Prepositional phrase has a noun or pronoun which called
the object of preposition.
Example :
Sodium is not found in pure condition in nature
3. Adjective Phrase
Adjective phrase is a phrase that acts likes an adjective in a
sentence. Like an adjective it modifies a noun or a pronoun.

It comprises of adjectives,modifiers and other words
modifying the noun or pronoun.
Example :
Zone purification is a metal purification technique with
very high purity result
4. Adverb Phrase
Adverb phrase is a phrase that acts like an adjective in a


sentence. Like an adverb,it modifies a verb or other adverb
in the sentence.
Example :
The alloy is commercially manufactured by melting the
active metal
5. Verb Phrase
Verb phrase is the group of main verbs and helping-verbs
(auxiliaries) within a sentence.
Example : 
He is heating the metal
6. Infinitive Phrase
An infinitive phrase contains an infinitive (to + base form
of verb) and modifiers or other related words linked to the

infinitive. An infinitive phrase will always acts as a noun,
an adjective or adverb in the sentence.
Example :
… a soft ore heating without smelting to obtain larger ore
size
7. Gerund Phrase
A gerund phrase is a group of a gerund (verb + ing),
modifiers and other related words linked to the gerund.

A gerund phrase functions as a noun in the sentence.
Example :
Rough metal refining is very important
8. Participle Phrase
A paticiple phrase is a group of a present-participle (verb +
ing) or a past-participle verb,modifiers and other linked

words. A participle phrase is punctuated with a comma or
commas. It always acts as an adjective (modifying a noun)
in a sentence.
Example :
Diamonds are the only gems made of one element, the
carbon. (modifies noun : diamonds)
9. Absolute Phrase
Absolute phrase is also called a nominative phrase it
consists of a noun or a pronoun, a participle and linked

modifiers. It modifies (tells more about) the sentence. It
looks like a clause but lacks true finite verb. It is
separated by comma in a sentence.
Examples :
He, having books in his hand, was going to school
He, having love in his eyes, met his mother
 Clause

A clause is a group of related word that contains a
subject as well as a verb.
A clause is meaningful combination of words, as it can,
alone, express a complete thought. A clause can be
simple sentence. Therefore, clause is also sometimes
defined as group of words having a subject and
predicate.
It can also be said that each sentence consists of at least
one clause.
 Types of Clause

 Main or Independent Clause
Main clause or independent clause is that clause which
expresses a complete meaning. It alone can stand as a
sentence.
Example :
He was heating the metal at high temperature
 Subordinate or Dependent Clause
Subordinate clause or dependent clause is that clause which
(as alone part) cannot express a complete meaning. It alone

cannot stand as sentence because it depends on the other
clause to give a complete meaning.

a. Noun Clause
Is a subordinate clause which acts as a noun in a sentence. It
usually starts with words such as
‘that,what,whatever,who,whom,etc’. It acts exactly like a
noun in a sentence. It can work as a noun either at the place
of a subject or an object.
Example :
Metal is very useful for our life, whatever we use is mostly
made of metal. (noun as subject)
b. Adjective Clause
Is a subordinate clause which acts as an adjective in the
sentence. An adjective clause mostly starts with relative

pronouns such as ‘that,who,whom,whose,which, or
whose’.
Examples :
She hates the people who waste time
(modifies noun : people)
The car, which I like consumes less fuel
(modifies noun : car)
c. Adverb Clause
Is a subordinate clause which acts as an adverb in a
sentence. It modifies a verb of the main clause in terms

of ‘time,frequency,condition,cause and effect, and
intensity.
Example :
The workers are refining the metals when the boss
comes to the factory
(modifies noun : refine