The idioms are those constructions of two or more words that act as a grammatical unit, under a single meaning. This means that, although separately each of the terms have their own meaning, together they form another that does not have to be the same. We classify them according to grammatical function that they comply. Thus, we differentiate between adjectival, adverbial, conjunctive, quantifying, prepositional, pronominal, noun, interjective and verbal phrases. So that you know when to use one type or another, in this OneHowTo article we explain them in detail using examples of phrases.
Adjective phrases
Adjective phrases are those that fulfill the same function as an adjective. They tend to be formed by a preposition plus a noun or nominal group, by the comparative conjunction ‘like’ and a noun or nominal group, or by two adjectives joined by copulative coordination.
Examples:
- Was yummy (prep. + noun)
- I bought a shirt striped (prep. + noun)
- Is like a goat (as + noun)
- Is deep like a well (as + noun)
- I arrive safe and sound (adj. in copulative coordination)
In a teacher you will find all the types of adverbial phrases with examples so you can delve into the subject.
Adverbial phrases
Adverbial phrases fulfill the same function as an adverb and, therefore, are used to express and modify the circumstance of the verbal action. In general, they are usually made up of a preposition plus a noun, adjective or adverb. We classify them the same as adverbs and, therefore, they can be of place, of time, of mode, of quantity, of doubt, of denial or of affirmation.
- Examples of adverbial phrases of place:
far, far, far, close, behind, in front, high, low, above, at the end, in the queue, to the side …
- Examples of adverbial phrases of time:
at dawn, at dusk, at dusk, at noon, at dusk, at first light, day, night, early morning, sometimes, from time to time, from time to time, instantly, suddenly, today …
- Examples of adverbial phrases of manner:
slowly, as if nothing, wide open, back and forth, on the sly, on foot, blindly, on the sly, fashionable…
- Examples of adverbial phrases of quantity:
no more no less, at least, for a little, for a lot, at least, a little more, a little less, something like that, a little, a lot …
- Examples of adverbial phrases of doubt:
maybe, maybe, maybe …
- Examples of adverbial phrases of negation:
in any way, never ever, not for those, in my life or crazy …
- Examples of adverbial statements of affirmation:
of course, of course, without a doubt, in truth, without a doubt, in effect …
Conjunctive phrases
Conjunctive phrases are those that fulfill the function of conjunction and, therefore, serve to unite various elements of the sentence.
- Examples of conjunctive phrases:
once, since, provided, so, even though, despite …
Quantifying or intensifying utterances
Quantifying phrases are those that are used to intensify an indeterminate amount.
- Examples of quantifying phrases:
a sijnfin of, indeed, an infinity of …
Prepositional phrases
Prepositional phrases act the same as a preposition and one or more of them is always found in their composition.
- Examples of prepositional phrases:
about, overlooking, next to, despite, along, around, heading for, in favor of, away from, because of, thanks to …
Pronominal phrases
The pronominal phrases act and are equivalent to a pronoun. Likewise, they tend to have pronouns of any type in their composition.
- Examples of pronominal phrases:
one that another, each one, one another, each one, myself, each one, yourself …
Substantive phrases
The substantive phrases are those that fulfill the function of noun.
- Examples of noun phrases:
the afterlife, what will they say, goose bumps, mea culpa, the never ending story, the fourth estate …
Interjective phrases
Interjective phrases are those that are used to express feelings of greater intensity, such as amazement, joy, alarm, welcome, admiration, etc. They fulfill the function of interjection and, in most cases, they tend to be between exclamation points.
- Examples of interjective phrases:
My God! Good heavens! Don’t tell me! What a horror! Lightning and thunder! Damn it! My mother! Anyway …
Verbal phrases
Verb phrases are those that fulfill the function of a verb. They are usually made up of an infinitive and a phrase.
- Examples of verb phrases:
spoil, realize, get lucky, hit rock bottom, tease, miss, take into account, heed, carry out …
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