Phrases
English Language: AQA A Level, topic 1.3.3
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.
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.
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 tall man with bulging rolls.
- This is a noun phrase because it is words around the noun 'man'.
Verb phrases
- A verb phrase is words around a verb.
- For example: 'is driving the car down the road'
- This is a verb phrase because it is words around the verb ‘driving’.
Verb phrases - examples
- ran frantically to work
- This is a verb phrase because it is words around the verb ‘ran’.
- dragged the sack as quickly as he could
- This is a verb phrase because it is words around the verb ‘dragged’.
- cried loudly down the phone
- This is a verb phrase because it is words around the verb ‘cried’.
Test yourself on Phrases
What is the head word in this phrase?
The sloppy, pepperoni pizza with gooey bubbling cheese.Which of these clauses is a noun phrase?
Which of these clauses is a noun phrase?