[英文] phrases

The questions you asked can constitute an essay. Instead of sounding academic, this answer will ONLY provide highlights. You definitely should go to grammar books or a teacher for a closer study.

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phrases 的定義 : a group of words that make sense, but not complete sense, as much as a sentence does (i.e. without subject-predicate structure).

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phrases 的 分類及相應例子

A phrase as a group of words can serve different grammatical functions such as those of adjectives, adverbs, nouns, verbs and prepositions. The categorization lies on the heads that the phrase takes. Pay attention to words below in brackets. They are the heads to determine the type of phrases.

e.g.1. Adjective Phrase: <Ready to> embark on a new career, she has decided to quit her current job despite the ongoing economic crisis.
e.g.2. Noun Phrase: Look! How cute <the puppy on the mat> is!
e.g.3. Verb Phrase: Relax! You do not need to <rush forth and back> to get Andy Lau’s autograph. Just <come over> there this Sunday and everyone in the queue will get one!
e.g.4. Prepositional Phrase: A recent medical report disclosed that people are more likely <at risk of> a heart disease if they go <on a long-distance journey>, such as a long flight.
e.g.5. Adverbial Phrase: George Bush said he would primarily write books <for fun> or give speeches to students after he resigned from his presidency.

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verb phrases 是否與 phrasal verb 一樣?

No. A phrasal verb (verb + preposition) creates a meaning DIFFERENT FROM the original verb.

Verb Phrases
e.g.5. I am always <displeased with> people who <vote without> their conscience.
e.g.6. Look out! That beast always <barks at> people around non-stop.
e.g.7. Darling, can you please <forgive me for> mistaking once?


(to be continued...)

2009-02-12 20:55:41 補充：
Phrasal Verbs: Compare “Look...”
e.g.8. The millionaire’s daughter is missing. The police has been the girl anxiously over the days. [look + for = search]
e.g.9. Oh, I forgot his number! Can you please for me? [look + something + up = check]

2009-02-12 20:55:51 補充：
e.g.10. He always appreciates his buddies who often look up to him. [look + somebody + up + to = respect]
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phrases 與 non- finite clause 有咩關係?

2009-02-12 20:56:28 補充：
They are different. Phrases (except verb phrases) do not contain verbs, but non-finite clauses do. It may be interesting to compare a verb phrase (contains a finite verb (i.e. tensed)), and a non-finite clause(contains a non-finite verb (i.e. not tensed)).

2009-02-12 20:56:57 補充：
Verb Phrases (VP) V.S. Non-finite Clause (NC)
e.g.11. She (VP) the cafe shop, (VP), and (VP) the guy to come to her. She, (NC), was desperately (VP) him.

2009-02-12 20:57:09 補充：
That is enough. I hope this is clear enough for you. If you still have questions, please raise them here, or just email me direct.