What are Clauses and Phrases – Part III

Adverb phrases

An adverb phrase does the work of an adverb. Read the examples given below:

He spoke to me rudely. (Here the adverb rudely modifies the verb spoke.)
He spoke to me in a rude manner. (Here the phrase ‘in a rude manner’ is equivalent to the adverb rudely and modifies the verb spoke.)

We searched for him everywhere. (Here the adverb everywhere modifies the verb searched.)
We searched for him all over the place. (Here the phrase ‘all over the place’ is equivalent to the adverb ‘everywhere’ and modifies the verb searched.)

He fought bravely. (Here the adverb bravely modifies the verb fought.)
He fought in a brave manner. (Here the adverb phrase ‘in a brave manner’ modifies the verb fought.)

More examples are given below:

She came soon. (Adverb – soon)
She came in a short while. (Adverb phrase – in a short while)
They live abroad. (Adverb – abroad)
They live in a foreign country. (Adverb phrase – in a foreign country)

Noun phrase

A noun phrase does the work of a noun. Study the pairs of sentences given below:

I like books. (I like… what? Books. Here the noun books is the object of the verb like.)
I like reading books. (I like… what? Reading books. Here the phrase reading books is the object of the verb like.)

Note that a noun phrase can be used as the subject or the object of a verb. It can also be used as the object of a preposition.

Read the examples given below:

I really enjoyed myself at the party. (Here the noun phrase ‘the party’ is the object of the preposition at.)
Your sister’s boyfriend is very handsome. (Here the noun phrase ‘your sister’s boyfriend’ is the subject of the verb is.)
None of the invitees turned up. (Here the noun phrase ‘none of the invitees’ is the subject of the verb turned up.)
She has decided to quit her job. (Here the noun phrase ‘to quit her job’ is the object of the verb decided.)
She has formally conveyed her decision to quit the job. (Here the noun phrase ‘her decision to quit the job’ is the object of the verb conveyed.)

Note that a noun phrase is constructed around a noun or a pronoun.

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