Multiphrase

Multiphrase is a term used in linguistics to denote a syntactic unit that comprises multiple smaller phrases functioning together as a single expression. The term is not standardized and its meaning varies across communities. In some uses, multiphrase refers to a phrase that contains several sub-phrases, such as a noun phrase with multiple modifiers or a verb phrase with auxiliary elements that contribute to its overall meaning.

Different interpretations exist. Some scholars describe a multiphrase as a hierarchical assembly in which sub-phrases assign distinct semantic roles while the whole retains cohesive syntax. Others apply the term to sequences of words that behave as a fixed unit within discourse, aligning it with multiword expressions or light-verb constructions, and stressing their semi-fixed nature rather than strict compositionality.

Examples illustrate the idea but are not universal. A noun phrase like the old man with the red hat and a cane demonstrates a head noun with multiple modifiers; a verb phrase such as will have been waiting shows sequential auxiliary material forming a single verbal projection. In natural language processing and grammar theory, recognizing multiphrase structures can aid parsing, constituent tests, and semantic interpretation.

See also: multiword expression, complex noun phrase, phrase structure. Because multiphrase is not a widely established term, discussions often rely on related concepts rather than a single definition.