Phrases, Clauses and Sentences

Parts of a Sentence

A sentence is a group of words which makes complete sense. However, the sentence itself is made up of smaller elements called phrases and clauses.

Phrase:

Technically, words are the smallest units of a sentence. A group of words which has no subject or predicate is called a phrase. Grammatically, the phrase is the basic unit of English Grammar.

A phrase can be a short group of words like.

• the man
• in the jungle
• an old man
• on time

It can also be a long group of words for example:

• A small piece of jewellery which was handed down by my ancestors.
• the room no one knows about.

Phrases represent various parts of speech.

Types of phrases:

1. Noun Phrase

 A phrase which functions as a noun in a sentence is called a noun phrase.

example of noun phrase is:

• The old creaky stairs of the haunted mansion make eerie sounds when stepped on.
• I saw women with large feathers on their hats.

2. Verb Phrase

• A verb phrase contains both a verb and an auxiliary or helping verb.
• It may contain a direct or an indirect object.
• It is the main part of the predicate of the sentence.

examples of verb phrases is:

• The manager had judiciously averted the problem.
• Little Red Riding Hood was hopping and skipping her way through the woods.

3. Adjective Phrase

• An adjective phrase is a group of words which functions as the adjective in the sentence.
• The main word in the phrase is the adjective.
• It is placed before a noun or as a part of the predicate of the sentence.

examples of adjective phrases are:

• The tiny grey tabby kitten mewed for its mother.
• The Sun is a bright golden fireball.

4.  Adverb Phrase

• An adverb phrase is a group of words which functions as the adverb in the sentence.
• It can modify either an adjective or another adverb in the sentence.

examples of adverb phrases are:

• They spoke very softly to avoid attracting attention.
• I can speak Tamil quite fluently.

5. Prepositional Phrase

• A prepositional phrase comprises a preposition and a noun or a pronoun which functions as its object.
• The prepositional phrase may also contain modifiers.
• It may function as an adjective or an adverb in the sentence.

examples of prepositional phrases are:

• A woman with a blue umbrella stepped out of the carriage.
• Manisha bought flowers for her mother.

6.  Appositive Phrase

•  An appositive is a word which is placed next to another word in order to explain it.

examples of positive phrases are:

• Shah Rukh Khan, the actor, has contributed immensely to Bollywood cinema.
• Raju, my nephew, has secured a distinction in his examination.

An appositive phrase is nothing but a noun phrase which is used for modifying or explaining another word in the sentence.

• Shivaji Maharaj, an Indian warrior king, is the greatest member of the Maratha clan.
• The Mossad, Israel’s secret service, is one of the most efficient espionage systems in the world.

7.  Infinitive Phrase

• An infinitive phrase comprises an infinitive (to + verb) and modifiers and complements.
• The complement of an infinitive is its indirect object and its modifier is its adverb.
• They can act as adjectives, adverbs or nouns.

examples of infinitive phrases are:

• The patient started to slowly open his eyes.
• To know her is to love her.

8.  Gerund Phrase

• Gerunds are words which end in ‘-ing’.
• They look like verbs but act like nouns.
• The gerund phrase comprises a gerund, its object and modifiers.
• It performs all the functions of a noun.
• Prepositional phrases are often part of gerund phrases.

examples of gerund phrases are:

• Working for this organisation has helped me hone my skills. (Subject of the sentence)
• Ranjani enjoys knitting sweaters for the children in the orphanage. (Object of the sentence)

9.  Participial Phrase

• A participial phrase is an adjective phrase which comprises a participle (past or present) along with relevant complements and modifiers.
• It always functions as an adjective.
• It is separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma if they are used at the beginning of the sentence.
• It is separated from the rest of the sentence by two commas if it is used in between a sentence.

examples of participial phrases are:

• Leaving in a hurry, she dropped the keys with her neighbour.

• The clock, frozen in time, has been standing at half past 10 for a century.

Clause

A clause is a group of related words which contains a subject and a predicate. Unlike a phrase, a clause is complete in meaning and can function as an independent sentence.

There are two basic types of clauses:

1. Main clause
2. Subordinate clause

1. Main Clause

The main clause contains a subject and a verb which can stand independently as a sentence.

• One should take good care of one’s teeth or one may end up with none.
• The renowned singer rendered the song melodiously.
• To err is human; to forgive is divine.
• I admire his courage, but I cannot justify his actions.

2. Subordinate Clause

The subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb, but unlike the main clause, it cannot stand independently as a sentence. It requires the support of the main verb in order to function properly.

examples:

• Though he was a wealthy man, he never took pride in his riches.
• Unless the accused confesses to the crime, the case will not proceed any further.
• Geeta failed to understand how the thief got in because she had locked all the doors and windows.
• Sarita gasped loudly when she saw a snake slither by.