Phrases with Examples

What Is a Phrase?

A phrase is a group of words that can form a single grammatical unit, that is a unit that takes part in a sentence or a clause.

Let me explain; Unlike a clause that takes a subject and a verb, a phrase does not. Therefore, it cannot have a clear complete thought or idea.

The following examples show the difference between a phrase, a clause, and a single word:

Example (1)

• Clause – Let’s find a table that gets the sunlight.
• Phrase – Let’s find a table in the sun.
• Word – Let’s find a sunny table.

Example (2)

• Clause – Show Jane your project when she arrives.
• Phrase – Show Jane your project in the morning.
• Word – Show Jane your project tomorrow.

Still, confused?

Let’s try a sentence with no phrase and then construct them to have one.

• Sam eats cookies daily.

So, in this example, the sentence doesn’t have any phrases, because all parts stand on their own as a single word.

• My uncle Sam eats cookies daily.

Now the sentence contains a phrase, it has three words that function as the subject of the sentence. Notice that phrase has no verb or a subject.

• My uncle Sam eats cookies during the week.

Now a new phrase has been added to the sentence, it similarly has three words, but it functions as an adverb.

• My uncle Sam was eating cookies during the week.

We have added a new one, this time it is a two-word phrase that functions as a verb.

• My uncle Sam was eating chocolate cookies from the bakery during the week.

Now the phrase that we have added has five words and it functions as a direct object in this sentence.

If you make it this far, then you have learned that:

• A phrase is a group of words.
• A phrase functions as a single grammatical unit inside a sentence.
• A phrase does not convey any complete meaning as they don’t contain a verb and a subject.

Types of phrases with examples:

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