Phrases

A phrase is a group of words that functions as a single word in a sentence. The word group may contain nouns and verbs, but it does not have both a subject and a predicate. Examples are italicized below.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES:

  • aboard the ship
  • in addition to the gift
  • during the night
  • across the field
  • instead of the blue dress
  • during the Industrial Revolution
  • under a bridge
  • after World War II
  • in case of emergency
  • of nine justices
  • with the approval of Congress
  • for Supreme Court Justices

VERB PHRASES:

  • may have docked
  • might have asked
  • should have eaten
  • will have finished
  • should have accomplished
  • would have adopted
  • might have finished
  • should have been committed
  • would have approved
  • might have selected

GERUNDS:

  • exercising for hours
  • skating on ice
  • speaking accurately
  • averting disaster
  • censoring inappropriate material
  • campaigning effectively

INFINITIVES:

  • to influence one's peers
  • to start a new project
  • to be a good friend
  • to involve innocent bystanders
  • to make a complete court
  • to serve your country

Examples

Determine which word groups below are phrases.  If the group has a subject and a predicate, answer "clause" instead.

  1. when Nashville became famous
  2. inside the mansion
  3. along the ridge of the Smoky Mountains
  4. before you called
  5. Watch out!
  6. when electrical energy came
  7. into widespread use
  8. beside the deep and wide Mississippi River
  9. before I went
  10. Look up!
  11. to daydream all day
  12. in the Himalayan heights
  13. after we locate Nepal and Tibet
  14. searching for Southeast Asia
  15. if he followed the guide
  16. to appoint Supreme Court Justices
  17. in the United States
  18. after the President nominates the justices
  19. qualifying for service on the highest court
  20. if Congress had passed the law

Solutions

The following word groups are phrases: 2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19. They do not have subjects and predicates.

We explain why the following are clauses:

1. This group of words is a clause. It has both a subject (Nashville) and a predicate (became).

4. This is a clause. Its subject is you; its predicate is called.

5. This is a clause. We remember that the subject, you, of an imperative sentence is understood. (You) Watch out!

6. This group of words is a clause. It has both a subject (energy) and a predicate (came).

9. This is a clause. Its subject is I; its predicate is went.

10. This is a clause. We remember that the subject, you, of an imperative sentence is understood. (You) Look up!

13. This word group is a clause. Its subject is we; its predicate is locate.

15. This word group is a clause. Its subject is he; its predicate is followed.

18. This word group is a clause. Its subject is President; its predicate is nominates.

20. This word group is a clause. Its subject is Congress; its predicate is had passed.