A phrase is a word or group of related words that works as one grammatical unit within a sentence. Unlike a clause, it does not contain its own complete subject-finite verb structure.
Start with What Is a Phrase in Grammar? for the basic definition, structure, and main types. You can then explore detailed lessons on noun, verb, adjective, adverb, prepositional, participial, appositive, infinitive, and other phrases.
An absolute phrase is a group of words that adds information about the circumstances surrounding a sentence rather than modifying one particular word. It usually contains a noun or pronoun followed by a participle or another descriptive element. For example:…
An infinitive phrase is a group of words built around an infinitive, usually to + the base form of a verb. It may also include words that complete or modify the action. For example: Maya hopes to finish the painting…
A gerund phrase is a gerund together with any objects, complements, or modifiers that belong to it. It is built around an -ing verb form and can function as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Consider: Restoring old…
An adverb phrase is a word or group of words built around an adverb. It may contain modifiers or other words that add to the adverb’s meaning. Compare: The violinist played softly. The violinist played remarkably softly. In both sentences,…
An adjective phrase is a word or group of words built around an adjective. It may contain words that strengthen, limit, compare, or complete the adjective’s meaning. Consider: The hikers were extremely proud of their achievement. The complete adjective phrase…
A verb phrase is a main verb alone or a main verb combined with one or more helping verbs, also called auxiliary verbs. These verbs work together to express an action or state and grammatical meanings such as possibility, completion,…
A phrase is a word or group of words that functions as a grammatical unit. A clause is a structure built around a verb, usually with its own subject. Compare: Both expressions tell us about time. However, the second contains…
An appositive phrase is a noun phrase placed beside another noun or noun phrase to identify, rename, or explain it. For example: My neighbor, a retired architect, designed the garden. A retired architect refers to the same person as my…
A participial phrase is a group of words built around a participle, such as carrying, broken, or written. It can describe a person or thing or provide information about an action. For example: Holding a folded map, Daniel searched for…
A noun phrase is a word or group of words built around a noun or pronoun. It can function as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. A noun phrase can be as short as someone or as detailed…
A phrase is a word or group of words that functions as a grammatical unit within a sentence. It can name someone or something, express an action, describe a noun, or add information about when, where, or how something happens.…
Prepositional phrases are common in everyday English. Expressions such as under the stairs, before the meeting, and with great care help explain where something is, when it happens, or how people and things are connected. The following list contains 50…