1.3.3

Phrases

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Grammar - Noun and Verb Phrases

A clause can be one of two types of phrase – a noun phrase or a verb phrase. The head word dictates whether the phrase will be a verb or noun phrase.

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Noun phrase

  • A noun phrase is words around a noun.
  • The head word is surrounded by some form of description.
    • For example: ‘the old rusty car on the drive’.
  • We describe what comes before or after the head lexeme 'modification'. Modification comes in two forms – pre and post.
    • Pre-modification is when the head word is being modified before its place in the sentence.
    • Post-modification is when the head word is being modified after its place in the sentence.
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Noun phrase - examples

  • The sweet, little bird with bright wings.
    • This is a noun phrase because it is words around the noun 'bird'.
  • The angry, snarling dog with great fangs.
    • This is a noun phrase because it is words around the noun 'dog'.
  • The fat man with bulging rolls.
    • This is a noun phrase because it is words around the noun 'man'.
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Verb phrases

  • A verb phrase is words around a verb.
    • For example: 'Dan drove the car down the road'.
    • This is a verb phrase because it is words around the verb ‘drove’.
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Verb phrases - examples

  • Sally drove frantically to work.
    • This is a verb phrase because it is words around the verb ‘drove’.
  • Edgar dragged the sack as quickly as he could.
    • This is a verb phrase because it is words around the verb ‘dragged’.
  • Martha cried loudly down the phone.
    • This is a verb phrase because it is words around the verb ‘cried’.

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