Here's a breakdown:
* Group of Words: It's more than just one word, but it's not a complete sentence.
* Function as a Unit: The words work together to convey a specific meaning or idea.
* No Subject and Verb: Unlike a clause, a phrase lacks the essential elements of a complete sentence – a subject (who or what is doing the action) and a verb (the action itself).
Examples:
* "in the garden" (prepositional phrase)
* "running quickly" (participial phrase)
* "to play the piano" (infinitive phrase)
* "the beautiful, red rose" (adjective phrase)
Key points to remember:
* Phrases are building blocks of sentences.
* They can act as modifiers (describing other words) or complements (completing the meaning of a verb).
* There are many different types of phrases, each with its own function.
In contrast to clauses:
* Clauses are also groups of words, but they contain a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.
* Example: "The dog barked loudly." (This is a clause, and a complete sentence.)
Understanding the difference between phrases and clauses is crucial for comprehending sentence structure and improving your writing.