Sentence Structure (Part 2) - Phrases
Making Sense out of English Sentences
Welcome lovers of the English language ! This is the website where you can find top information about sentence structure in English writing. Please see below some important points about sentence patterns which will explain the rules for correct sentences according to English grammar. All professional writers know that the work of a good editor is essential before they publish any piece of writing.
Enjoy your reading and start writing good effective sentences.
What is a Sentence ?
A sentence is basically a group of words which are tied together and convey an idea, event or description. The words in an English sentence have a certain order and rules that determine how to either expand or shorten it. The boundaries of a sentence are easily recognized, as it begins with a capital letter and ends with a terminal punctuation mark (period , question mark or exclamation point). It is important for English writers to know the language of sentence grammar terms in order to be able to analyze and develop their writing.
The four main sections regarding English sentence structure are:
1. Basic Clause Structure
2. Phrases
3. Clause Types
4. The 4 Sentence Types
Sentence Structure in English Writing
2. Phrases
Right or Wrong ?
Consider this, Is the following a grammatical sentence ?
the amazingly beautiful old city zoo in the western side of the capital city of Berlin
Wrong ! The reader of the above line may mistake it for a long detailed sentence, but in fact it is not; it does not answer to the basic requirement for a sentence, which is having both a subject and predicate. It is merely a complete subject and therefore cannot stand alone as a sentence. This "piece of sentence" is a phrase.
If you want to know more, read the grammar rules for phrases below.
If you are ready to read about other sentence structure topics, click here for the index.
The Grammar Rules for Phrases in English
1. A phrase is a group of words that does not contain both a subject and a predicate and therefore cannot stand alone as a clause or sentence. There are a few kinds of phrases.
2. A noun phrase functions as a noun in a sentence.
The old Berlin zoo was established back in 1844.
[noun phrase functions as a subject]
During my last visit to Berlin, I liked the Berlin zoo the best.
[noun phrase functions as a direct object of the verb like]
3. A verb phrase functions as the verb in a sentence.
The old Berlin zoo was established back in 1844.
During my last visit to Berlin, I couldn't stop admiring the Berlin zoo the best.
4. A prepositional phrase always starts with a preposition and functions as a modifier.
During my last visit to Berlin in 2002, I took the train to the Berlin zoo.
[during my last visit, to Berlin, in 2002 are three prepositional phrases modifying the verb took for time and place, to the Berlin zoo is a prepositional phrase modifying the verb took for place]
5. An absolute phrase usually contains a noun or pronoun and a present or past participle. It modifies the entire sentence that it is in.
Zoos being top city attractions, the Berlin zoo is not to be missed.
[absolute phrase contains present participle]
Our trip nearly finished, we decided to spend our last day at the Berlin zoo.
[absolute phrase contains past participle]
6. A verbal phrase contains a verb part that functions not as a verb, but rather as a noun or an adjective. Verbals are either infinitives, present participles, or past participles (non - finite verb forms). As opposed to absolute phrases, verbal phrases modify part of a sentence but not the whole sentence.
We used the last day of our trip to visit the Berlin zoo.
[infinitive phrase modifying ]
Visiting the Berlin zoo, we were amazed by the beauty of the exotically designed animal enclosures.
[present participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying we]
The children, amazed by the animal exhibits, didn't want to leave the Berlin zoo.
[past participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying the children]
7. A gerund phrase looks like a verbal pharse with a present participle but functions as a noun, whereas a verbal present participial phrase functions as a modifier.
Visiting the Berlin zoo was a great experience.
[gerund phrase functions as a noun = subject of the sentence ]
Visiting the Berlin zoo, we were amazed by the beauty of the exotically designed animal enclosures.
[verbal present participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying we ]
I always enjoy visiting zoos in the cities I visit.
[gerund phrase functions as a noun = object of the verb enjoy]
Sentence Structure : Summing it up
As our brief article shows , phrases and clauses are basic building blocks of English writing . If you know these basics, you will be able to develop your writing as you advance your English skills.
Grammar Guide Index
Parts of Speech - General Overview
English Adjectives - Basic Terms
English Verbs (Part 1) - Basic Terms
English Verbs (Part 2) - More Terms
Negative Sentences and Question Formation
The Irregular Verbs in English (Part 1)
The Irregular Verbs in English (Part 2)
Spelling Rules for the Verb Tenses
Present Tenses:
Past Tenses:
Sentence Structure (Part 1) - Basic Clause Structure
Sentence Structure (Part 2) - Phrases
Sentence Structure (Part 3) - Clauses
Sentence Structure (Part 4) - Sentence Types