Phrases

In linguistics, a phrase is a group of related words that forms a single unit within a sentence. A phrase centers on a head word and functions as a unit, but it does not contain a finite verb and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Phrases are the building blocks that combine to form clauses and larger sentence structures.

Common phrase types include noun phrases, which function as a noun and can include determiners and modifiers (for example, the tall green umbrella); verb phrases, which center on a main verb and may include auxiliary verbs (has been waiting); and prepositional phrases, which begin with a preposition and provide information about location, time, or relation (under the old bridge). Other types include adjective phrases (extremely careful), adverb phrases (quite slowly), infinitive phrases (to learn the language), gerund phrases (swimming in the sea), and participial phrases (broken by the storm) that modify a noun or pronoun.

Phrases serve various roles in sentence structure. They can function as subjects, objects, complements, or modifiers, and they can be nested within larger phrases to create more complex meanings. While all languages use phrases, the way phrases are arranged and how their heads relate to modifiers can vary, reflecting differences in syntax and morphology. Phrases are essential for adding detail and nuance without forming complete sentences, making them fundamental to the study of grammar and syntax.