Phrase Examples



A phrase is a group of words that express a concept and is used as a unit within a sentence. Eight common types of phrases are: noun, verb, gerund, infinitive, appositive, participial, prepositional, and absolute. Take a look at our selection of phrase examples below
Noun Phrases
A noun phrase consists of a noun and all its modifiers
Here are examples
.The bewildered tourist was lost
. The lost puppy was a wet and stinky dog
.The flu clinic had seen many cases of infectious disease
. It was a story as old as time
. The sports car drove the long and winding road
. Saturday became a cool, wet afternoon

Verb Phrases
A verb phrase consists of a verb and all its modifiers
Here are examples
. He was waiting for the rain to stop
. She was upset when it didn't boil
. You have been sleeping for a long time
. You might enjoy a massage
.He was eager to eat dinner

Gerund Phrases
A gerund phrase is simply a noun phrase that starts with a gerund
Examples include
. Taking my dog for a walk is fun
. Walking in the rain can be difficult
. Strolling along a beach at sunset is romantic
. Getting a promotion is exciting
.Signing autographs takes time
. Going for ice cream is a real treat
.Singing for his supper was how he earned his keep
. Getting a sore back was the result of the golf game
. Pulling an all-nighter did not improve his test scores
. Sailing into the sunset was the perfect end to the book

Infinitive Phrases
An infinitive phrase is a noun phrase that begins with an infinitive verb
Here are some examples
. To make lemonade, you have to start with lemons
. I tried to see the stage, but I was too short
. She organized a boycott to make a statement
. To see Niagara Falls is mind-boggling
. He really needs to get his priorities in order
. The company decided to reduce hours for everyone
. To donate time or money is an honorable thing
.I went to Spain to study the language and culture

Appositive Phrases
An appositive phrase restates and defines a noun. It consists of one or more words
Examples are
.My favorite pastime, needlepoint, surprises some people
.Her horse, an Arabian, was her pride and joy
. My wife, the love of my life, is also my best friend
.A cheetah, the fastest land animal, can run 70 miles an hour
. My idea, a recycling bin for the office, was accepted by the boss
.The Florida panther, the state animal of Florida, is an endangered species

Participial Phrases
A participial phrase begins with a past or present participle
Examples are
. Washed with my clothes, my cell phone no longer worked
.Knowing what I know now, I wish I had never come here
. I am really excited, considering all the people that will be there
. We are looking forward to the movie, having seen the trailer last week
. Grinning from ear to ear, she accepted her award
. The happy dog ran the entire length of the park, pausing only to sniff the dandelions
.Painted a brilliant white, the small room appeared bigger
. The lake, frozen over all winter, was finally thawing

Prepositional Phrases
A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and can act as a noun, an adjective or an adverb
Examples are
. The book was on the table
. We camped by the brook
.He knew it was over the rainbow
. She was lost in the dark of night
. He was between a rock and a hard place
. I waited for a while
.She smelled of strawberries and cream
. He won the challenge against all odds

Absolute Phrases
An absolute phrase has a subject, but not an action verb, so it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It modifies the whole sentence, not just a noun
Examples are
.His tail between his legs, the dog walked out the door
. Picnic basket in hand, she set off for her date
. The guys attacked the pile of nachos, their fingers getting the last bit of cheese off the plate
. Their heads hanging down, the whole group apologized
. The entire team, their uniforms muddy and stained, shouted for joy
.These are just a few examples of the eight different kinds of phrases