Phrases
Phrases and Sentences :
A phrase is a group of words that does not have a verb that changes form. It does not make complete sense on its own and is meaningful only as a part of a sentence.
For example:
the setting sun
the twin brothers
on the hill
A sentence is a group of words that has a verb that changes form to show tense. A sentence makes complete sense on its own.
For example:
The setting sun was seen in the west.
The twin brothers are good dancers.
The goats are grazing on the hill.
A. Write S for groups that are sentences and P for those that are phrases.
1. The first prize was won by our team.
= S;
2. The ripe oranges.
= P;
3. The fish in the aquarium.
= P;
4. Too much exercise can sometimes be harmful.
= S;
5. Painting portraits is my skill.
= S;
6. The blaring loudspeakers.
= P;
7. The elderly people meet in the park.
= S;
8. Indian festivals are very colourful.
= S;
9. The shaking of the earth's surface.
= P;
10. Earthquakes can move rocks too.
= S;
Noun Phrase :
In a sentence, the noun being described is called the head. There may occur other words before and after the head noun to modify it. Together, the head noun and the words that modify it make the noun phrase.
The head noun is the part of the noun phrase and completes its meaning.
It cannot be removed from the sentence.
A phrase which acts as a noun in a sentence and does not have a verb which shows tense is called a noun phrase.
B. Circle the words that tell more about the underlined nouns and modify the noun phrase. The first one has been done for you.
1. Beautiful red flowers are blooming everywhere.
= (Beautiful red) flowers are blooming everywhere.
2. The blue racing car reached the fishing line first.
= The (blue racing) car reached the (fishing) line first.
3. The grey-haired sick man sleeps all day.
= The (grey-haired sick) man sleeps all day.
4. All the planets orbit the sun.
= (All the) planets orbit the sun.
5. Aunt Sofy's cat mews very loudly.
= (Aunt Sofy's) cat mews very loudly.
6. The annual champion trophy was won by us.
= The (annual champion) trophy was won by us.
7. The leafy branches of the trees swayed in the cool summer breeze.
= (The leafy) branches of the trees swayed in the (cool summer) breeze.
8. The steep winding stairs led to a dark room.
= The (steep winding) stairs led to a dark room.
9. That goat there has a bell around its neck.
= (That) goat there has a bell around its neck.
10. The short stout man we met at Sue's party is Derek.
= (The short stout) man we met at Sue's party id Derek.
The head noun may have words before and/or after it or form the noun phrase.
C. Choose suitable words from the box and add before the nouns to complete the noun phrase. Then, circle the noun phrases.
[The famous Great Apollo; The excited; The amazing and clever; The skilled trapeze; The funny-faced; A new and wonderful; The brave and daring; The shiny; colourful;]
1. The famous Great Apollo Circus is visiting the town.
2. The skilled trapezed artists will perform feats using ropes.
3. The brave and daring motorcyclists will put up spectacular stunts.
4. The funny-faced clowns will make the people laugh.
5. The excited audience will be entertained by world-famous musicians.
6. The shiny, colourful clothes of the artists look very attractive.
7. The amazing and clever tricks of the magicians will amuse us all.
8. A new and wonderful experience awaits us all.
D. Modify the nouns in these sentences by adding two- or three- word information before each of them. Do not forget to use the articles a, an or the wherever required. The first one has been done for you.
1. The big black eyes shining in the dark scared me.
2. The red cover book could not be found.
3. The yellow paper made kite got stuck in a tree.
4. The new blue black jacket is my father's.
5. My grey-haired grandmother wears a golden necklace.
6. The small baby kittens disturbed my sleep.
7. The drowning man thanked the helpful boy.
8. The huge and tall elephant pulled down the tree with its trunk.
9. Purified potable water is not easily available in the villages.
10. My brother's painting is my mother's favourite.
Usually, articles and adjectives are used before the head noun in a noun phrase to modify the noun.
For example:
The little brown dog...….
The old book ….
Now, read these pairs of sentences.
A cute little puppy followed me home.
It followed me home.
The long strips of noodles are loved by children.
They are loved by children.
In the sentence you just read, the noun phrases can be easily replaced with a pronoun.
In the first sentence pair, the noun phrase a cute little puppy is replaced with the pronoun it.
In the second sentence pair, the noun phrase the long stripes of noodles is replaced with the pronoun they.
E. Underline the noun phrases that can be replaced with the pronouns in brackets.
1. The round cookies are in the glass jar. (They)
= The round cookies are in the glass jar.
2. The children on the swings are enjoying themselves in the park. (They)
= The children on the swings are enjoying themselves in the park.
3. The red convertible runs fast. (It)
= The red convertible runs fast.
4. The gentle and caring Ms Sahu loves the children of her class. (She)
= The gentle and caring Ms Sahu loves the children of her class.
5. Fresh handpicked cherries are sold by this fruit seller. (They)
= Fresh handpicked cherries are sold by this fruit seller.
6. All the oranges can be put in one basket. (They)
= All the oranges can be put in one basket.
7. The tall man with a beard offered my grandfather a seat. (He)
= The tall man with a beard offered my grandfather a seat.
8. The large egg-shaped boulder came rolling down the hill. (It)
= The large egg-shaped boulder came rolling down the hill.
9. The seven-year-old winner of the quiz was awarded a gold medal. (She)
= The seven-year-old winner of the quiz was awarded a gold medal.
10. The bow-shaped colourful rainbow drew everyone's attention. (It)
= The bow-shaped colourful rainbow drew everyone's attention.
F. Complete the dialogue with suitable noun phrases from the box to learn about hedgehogs.
[poisonous things, little prickly creatures, the poisonous frothy saliva, native species of insects and lizards.]
Rolly: Hey, look there! A hedgehog!
Sally: Hedgehog! What's that?
Rolly: Native species of insects and lizards are called hedgehogs.
Sally: What do they eat?
Rolly: They like to feed on little prickly creatures.
Sally: Oh, really!
Rolly: They also chew poisonous things.
Sally: Don't they die?
Rolly: No. The poisonous frothy saliva, which they rub on their spines, protects them from their enemies.