Example of Phrases In English

As in Spanish, English phrases are words or groups of words that form grammatical structures that serve to express ideas. They can be complete or incomplete. Complete sentences are those that have a subject and predicate and therefore have complete meaning; They are called sentences (sentences or clauses). When their meaning is not complete, they are properly phrases, which can be used to complement a sentence.

In English, phrases are also identified as grammatical structures that share certain characteristics and functions in a sentence.

The phrases are classified into the following types:

Noun phrase. The noun phrase is a structure that fulfills the functions of a noun, that is, of that of that is spoken in the sentence (subject) or on which the action of the verb falls (direct object or indirect). This function can be fulfilled by appositive phrases, gerunds and infinitives.

Adverbial phrase. The adverbial phrase can consist of a group of adverbs that modify another word at the same time. A phrase that acts as an adverb is also called an adverbial phrase. Among the types of phrases that fulfill the adverbial function are infinitive phrases and prepositional phrases.

Adjective phrase. Like the previous one, the adjectival phrase can be a group of adjectives that simultaneously modify a word; and also to a structure that acts as an adjective, mainly participle and infinitive phrases.

Verb phrase. Verb phrases consist of the union of two or more verbs, one of which is an active verb (action verb) and one or more auxiliary verbs (auxiliary verbs). Phrases that begin with a verb and its objects and complements are also called verb phrases; the types of verb phrases are the infinitives, gerunds and participle.

Absolute phrase. It is a phrase that contains subject and predicate with verb in participle, which modifies or complements the meaning of the main sentence. It is a subordinate clause.

The types of phrases are:

Appositive phrase. It is a type of adjective phrase that describes the noun, describing or specifying it, but that can be removed from the sentence without altering its meaning. They are always written between commas:

Joan, my aunt, bring me a gift.
Joan bring me a gift.

Infinitive phrase. It is a verb phrase that begins with an infinitive verb (form to + verb) and is completed with objects and complements. It can function as a noun, as an adjective, or as an adverb.

To work everyday is a good goal.
I hate to swim in winter.

Participle phrase (participial phrase). This type of verb phrase consists of a verb in participle (past participle, like regular verbs ending in –Ed or present participle, ending in –ing, so they can be confused with gerunds), its objects and accessories. It works in the sentence as an adjective.

The cord, twisted to the limit, broke with her weight
Running across the field, the horse come home at the evening.

Gerund phrase. These sentences begin with a gerund verb (ending in –ing), objects, and complements. It works in the sentence as a noun.

Studying French language is easier for a native Latin language speakers.
On Sundays, I want spent sleeping late and eating beer and pizza.

Example of Phrases in English:

• When I was younger.
• In an old, old house.
• Shining up to the sky.
• Wait here.
• Sometimes happened.
• To work harder every day.
• Somewhere, sometimes, somebody.
• Writing a letter for his mother.
• Looking for someone.
• Watching TV.
• Two steps from heaven.
• Whom you meet in the party.
• That heavy, long, rough branch.
• Reading the phrase.
• A table with onion bread, lager beer and salted meat.