Grammar Sub-Topic: Noun phrases and Verb phrases

Content

Phrases

A phrase is a group of related words that, unlike a sentence, has no subjet-predicate combination. Words in a phrase act together to function as a single part of speech. Some act as nouns, some as verbs, some as adjective and some as adverbs. Remember, phrases can’t stand alone and express a complete thought like sentences. There are five types of phrases: noun phrase, verb phrase, adjective phrase, adverb phrase and prepositional phrase.

The underlined words below are phrases.

1- The man slapped him. (noun phrase)

2- Olu and Mary lived happily ever after. (adverbial phrase)

3- She might be leaving tomorrow. (verb phrase)

4- She threw the book into the bush. (propositional phrase)

5- The woman is very beautiful. (adjective phrase)

Noun phrases

A noun phrase is a group of words that acts as a noun. It has a a noun as its key word. A noun phrase functions as the subject, object, or compliment of the sentence. It can also function as indirect object, object compliment, prepositional complement and apposition.

Examples:

.The man killed the snake. (subject)

. She saw the man. (object)

. The police officer reported seing the suspect. (subject)

. The man bought a book. (object)

. My class teacher explained the topic to the students. (subject)

. Riding the black stallion terrified Mark. (subject)

. Calling uncle Roberto is calling for trouble. (subject)

Verb phrases

A verb phase is a group of words acting as a verb and having a verb as its key word. It performs the action of the sentence just like the verb. A verb phrase is made up of a main verb and one or more auxiliary verbs or helping verbs.

A helping verb includes forms of be, such as am, is, are, was, were, being, and been; forms of have, such as has and had; forms of do, such as does and did; forms of can, such as could, will, would, and shall; and forms of should, such as may, might, and must.

Examples:

– Tolu and Bola will (auxiliary) go (verb) to the fun-fair tomorrow.

– You would (modal auxiliary) have (auxiliary) gone (main verb).

– She should (modal auxiliary) go (verb) to the party.

Exercises

A- Underline the noun phrases in the following sentences and state the function of each.

1. The man bought a book.

2. Olu helped the girl.

3. The woman gave the girl her food.

4. It rains heavily in the west.

5. The man became a lawyer.

B- Underline the verb phrases in the following sentences.

1. Chijoke will travel to Enugu tomorrow.

2. She may be doing the job.

3. They were ready hours ago.

4. I have been reading this book since last week.

5. The children are playing outside.