Do you know what a phrase is? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on a phrase, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!
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According to Your Dictionary, there are many different kinds of phrases: noun phrases, verb phrases, gerund phrases, prepositional phrases, infinitive phrase, appositive phrases, participle phrases, prepositional phrases, absolute phrases, a nominative phrase, adverbial phrases, adjective phrase/adjectival phrases, and more! A phrase is a short group of words that does something specific in the rest of the sentence. A phrase can also refer to a musical phrase or melodic line, a coherent unit of melody, a small group of notes or division of a composition of classical music, a part of a choreographic pattern, and more outside of grammatical construction. Sometimes a phrase can be an independent clause which is an entire sentence or dependent clause in a complex sentence or compound sentence, like other clause elements. PHrases could contain a finite verb, infinitive verb, and more. A hackneyed phrase is a cliche that is used often.
According to Dictionary, the word phrase is a derivative back formation of the Latin phrasis meaning “diction, style” (which also comes in the plural phrasēs), as well as from the Greek phrásis and phrazein meaning “diction, style, speech,” equivalent to phrá(zein) meaning “to speak”. Phrase is pronounced freɪz.
What are examples of phrases?
Take a look at these examples of sentences containing phrases from Your Dictionary.
He won the challenge against all odds.
I waited for a while.
She was lost in the dark of night.
To see Niagara Falls is mind-boggling.
My idea, a recycling bin for the office, was accepted by the boss.
I am really excited, considering all the people that will be there.
We camped by the brook.
The idler mind focuses on the bad.
The rhetoric around copyright law bored me to sleep.
It was part of a period of pauses and change in his life.
He had given her an apology, but his sequence of motions is unforgivable.
She smelled of strawberries and cream.
You might enjoy a massage.
You have been sleeping for a long time.
He knew it was over the rainbow.
His tail between his legs, the dog walked out the door.
Getting a promotion is exciting.
Sailing into the sunset was the perfect end to the book.
The bewildered tourist was lost.
Saturday became a cool, wet afternoon.
My wife, the love of my life, is also my best friend.
Grinning from ear to ear, she accepted her award.
To make lemonade, you have to start with lemons.
Their heads hanging down, the whole group apologized.
Knowing what I know now, I wish I had never come here.
She organized a boycott to make a statement.
Washed with my clothes, my cell phone no longer worked.
To donate time or money is an honorable thing.
The company decided to reduce hours for everyone.
The lost puppy was a wet and stinky dog.
Taking my dog for a walk is fun.
I went to Spain to study the language and culture.
Strolling along a beach at sunset is romantic.
The Florida panther, the state animal of Florida, is an endangered species.
Picnic basket in hand, she set off for her date.
Going for ice cream is a real treat.
Pulling an all-nighter did not improve his test scores.
The entire team, their uniforms muddy and stained, shouted for joy.
My favorite pastime, needlepoint, surprises some people.
Singing for his supper was how he earned his keep.
She was upset when it didn’t boil.
He really needs to get his priorities in order.
It was a story as old as time.
The sports car drove the long and winding road.
He was eager to eat dinner.
The guys attacked the pile of nachos, their fingers getting the last bit of cheese off the plate.
The lake, frozen over all winter, was finally thawing.
The flu clinic had seen many cases of infectious disease.
The happy dog ran the entire length of the park, pausing only to sniff the dandelions.
He was waiting for the rain to stop.
Honesty is the best policy, but not for a good liar.
He was between a rock and a hard place.
Painted a brilliant white, the small room appeared bigger.
We are looking forward to the movie, having seen the trailer last week.
The book was on the table.
Getting a sore back was the result of the golf game.
Signing autographs takes time.
Walking in the rain can be difficult.
I tried to see the stage, but I was too short.
Her horse, an Arabian, was her pride and joy.
A cheetah, the fastest land animal, can run 70 miles an hour.
What are other literary techniques and devices?
There are many different literary and grammatical techniques and devices that you might see when you are reading prose or poetry. It is important to recognize these terms because they are always used for some purpose. Knowing these devices can help readers understand the author’s deeper meaning and why they are using such a device. Take a look at the below list of grammatical devices from OED and see how many you know! Then try researching ones that are unfamiliar to you.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
Kevin
January 3, 2022
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