1. Samra Iqbal, Tehreem Ifzal
& Sumera Yasmeen
University of the Punjab
Department of English Language & Literature

3. phrases
Key concepts
Definition of Phrase
Noun Phrase
Adverb Phrase
Verb phrase
Adjective Phrase
Prepositional Phrase

4. The Main Phrase Structure Rules
1. S  NP VP
2. NP  (Det) (AP) N (PP)
3. VP  (Aux) V (NP)
4. PP  (Deg) P (NP)

5. A group of words that does not contain verb and its
subject and used as a single part of speech.
Examples:
 That shelf will fall.
 The success of the program
 The glass broke.

6. TREE DIAGRAM (Phrase)
S
NP VP
Det N V
The glass broke

7. Example of Phrase Tree
 Play with the toy VP
V
play
NP
the
Det N
toy
PP
P
with

9.  It consists of a noun and any modifier it may have a
noun clause or a word such as pronoun that takes the
place of a noun .
 Its abbreviation is NP
NOUN PHRASE

10. NP
N PP
Det N P Det N
The success of the program

12. ADVERB PHRASE
 An adverb phrase can modify a verb , adjective and
another adverb .It can appear in a number of different
position in a sentence.
 Its abbreviation is Adv P
 For Example
Ken snores loudly
Here loudly is adverb and it modifies the verb snores

13. Tree diagram (Adverb Phrase)
S
Adv P NP VP
Det N V NP
Det N
unfortunately the cat killed the mouse

15. VERB PHRASE
• A verb phrase is a verb of more than one word. It includes one or more
helping (or auxiliary) verbs and one main verb. The main verb expresses
the chief idea in the verb phrase and Helping verb (or auxiliary) verb,
which is placed in front of a main verb ,help it to express differ ideas.
• Its abbreviation is VP
FOR EXAMPLE
Can see (helping verb can + main verb see)
Would have sent (helping verb would + have + main verb send)

16. TREE DIAGRAM (verb phrase)
Move towards the window
V
VP
NP
Prep NDet
PP

18. ADJECTIVE PHRASE
 A group of words including an adjective and its
complements or modifiers that functions as an
adjective. Adjectives modify nouns and
pronouns, giving a description or more information.
 Its abbreviation is Adj P

19. Tree Structure ( Adjective Phrase)
He likes raw vegetables and meat.
V
S
NP
Adj ConjN NN
NP VP

21. Definition:
In a sentence prepositions show the relation of one
word to another word. Prepositions require an object to
complete them, typically a noun or a pronoun. A
preposition and its object is called a prepositional phrase.
Example:
 over the hill
behind the door
at Mary's house
 John could hear her sister snoring across the room.

22. Tree Structure of Prepositional
Phrase
They arrested the suspect in the hotel.
Det
NP
Det NN
NP
VP
PrepN V
NP
PP
S