Phrase

In the previous lesson we discussed what a word is. In this opportunity we will discuss what phrase is. Phrase, basically, is made of words. There are, at least, two words combined. So what is the phrase?

Definition.

Phrase is a group of words which, at least, contains two words and create a certain meaning and makes its own function in a sentence.

Here, let me say that a phrase is not a sentence. A group of words will be defined as a sentence when it contains, at least, two words which each of them has its own function; as a subject and a verb. However, a phrase is a part of a sentence. In other words, A sentence will stand without a phrase.

For example:

Phrase:

A book, my father, English letter, some apples, etc. From the example, we will find the construction: A + book, my + father, English + letter, some + apple, etc.

Sentence:

(1) My father is a farmer.

(2) She works in the garden.

(3) She needs me.

In (1), my father is the phrase and place itself in the subject. Therefore, my father /a phrase/ has a function as a subject. A farmer  is also a phrase which is placed as a complement. A farmer then has a function as a complement.

In (2), in the garden is a phrase. It is positioned after intransitive verb /work/ and has a function as an adverb of place.

In (3), we do not find the phrase. /she/ or /me/ is a subjective pronoun. In other words, we can build a sentence without a phrase or more in it. We will discuss the sentence in detailed next time.

There are many kinds of phrases in English, e.g. noun phrase, adjectival phrase, verbal phrase, infinitive phrase, gerund phrase, participial phrase, etc. that we will discuss in the future.