Phrase
PhraseA phrase is a combination of words that makes some sense,but not complete sense.
- at the airport;in the hall,in the dead of night;at her beck and call;the whirlpool of circumstances.
- The noun phrase A noun phrase is a group of words which does the work of a noun or pronoun. A simple test for locating a noun phrase is to place "it, "him" or other pronouns in place of the groups of words functioning like a phrase.
- They want to visit Europe.
- Here "to visit Europe" does the work of a noun or pronoun.We could have said: They want this or it...
- What they want is difficult to give them.
- They hope= They hope to visit America some day.
- ... is not known to them= What to do with their money is not known to them.
- Did they try?Did they try reading in the dark?
- She likes ...
- Our friends say they play ...
- ... is all incorrect.
- The great powers want ...
- ...is not clear to us.
- The adjective phrase An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase that qualifies or tells about a noun or pronoun.(or) An adjective phrase is a group of words which does the work of an adjective.
- It is an important matter.(important-adj.)
- It is a matter of importance.(of importance-adj.phrase.)
A foolish act-an act of foolishness.
The highest building-the building of the greatest height. - The Chinese people are peace-loving= The people of China are peace-loving.
- Have you ever seen such a greedy animal?=
Have you ever seen an animal of such greed? - She heard a scholarly lecture. = She heard a lecture of great scholarship (learning).
- The lonely boy was crying. = The boy without any companion was crying.
- Had they replaced the illegible words? =Had they replaced the words that could not be read?
- Wealthy people often do not take enough exercise.
- They have not seen all the Pakistani cities.
- Have you met the red-haired children?
- Do the people like the brave deeds of the soldiers?
- The beautiful dancer won the hearts of the spectators.
- We will face their inimical (unfriendly) plans and terrorist acts wisely and bravely. Note.We cannot replace all adjectives with adjective phrases.
- The adverb phrase A prepositional phrase that modifies a verb,an adjective or an adverb is an adverb phrase.An adverb phrase does the work of an adverb and tells how,when,where or to what extent.
- You did it well.(adv.)You did it in a good way.(adv. phrase)
They went there.(adv.)They went to that place.(adv. phrase) - They played happily. = They played in happiness.
- She works carefully. = She works with care.
- The students arrived there in time. = The students arrived at the place in time.
- They played very cheerfully. = They played in all cheerfulness.
- She went there ...(in a great hurry or by bus,etc.)
- Did they speak to you...?
- Never behave towards your elders...
- Do not cry...
- We did not play...
- The population of Pakistan is increasing...
- The prepositional phrase A preposition is a word that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun with another word.In,on,at,towards,under,over,beside are some of the most common prepositions.An object always follows a preposition.Note how different prepositions in the same sentence change its meaning. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun.
- It works as a noun
- It works as an adjective
- It works as an adverb
- She lives in a small room.The train was moving fast at that time.Please walk across the road.
Examples | Exercise |
Examples | Exercise |
Examples | Exercise |
The pictures she wants are with the librarian.[with(prep.),the librarian(n.phr.)] The building of the college is quite beautiful. She spoke in a sweet voice. |