What are phrases and clauses?

Phrases

A phrase is a group of words that can act as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun in a sentence. A phrase does not contain a finite verb, but may contain a non-finite verb, a participle, an infinitive, or a gerund. It does not make complete sense but can have meaning through its relation to some part of the sentence in which it stands.

Noun phrase

A group of words that does the function of a noun in a sentence is called a noun phrase.

Example: His sudden disappearance is a mystery.

Adjective phrase

A group of words that does the function of an adjective in a sentence is called an adjective phrase.

Example: My neighbour is a man of had temper

Adverbs phrase

A group of words that does the function of an adverb in a sentence is called an adverb phrase

Example: He behaved in a foolish manner

Verb phrase

A verb phrase contains one of the three non-finites participle, gerund, or infinitive and its objects or modifiers.

Example: You must work hard to get good marks in the exam (infinitive)

He enjoys watching movies at weekends (gerund)

Having done the work, he decided to rest (participle)

Preposition phrase

A prepositional phrase contains a preposition, its objects, and modifiers of the object, if any.

Example: The book is on the table.

Clauses

A cause is a group of words with a finite verb. It forms part of a longer sentence. A clause that does the work of a noun is called a noun clause A clause that does the work of an adjective is called an adjective clause. A clause that does the work of an adverb is called an adverb clause.

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