Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics
phrase [Grk phrásis ‘expression’]
1 Term for word groups without a finite verb that belong together syntactically. In contrast, the term ‘clause’ denotes a syntactic construction with a finite verb; thus clause stands hierarchically between phrase and sentence.
(
X-bar theory)
2 In phrase structure grammar, the term ‘phrase’ stands for a set of syntactic elements which form a constituent (=relatively independent group of words). The most important phrases are noun phrases (consisting of nominal expressions with corresponding attributive modifiers: Philip, good old Philip, he, Philip, who is a dreamer), verb phrases (dreams, sees the fire, thinks that he’s right), prepositional phrases (on the table) among others. ( also adjective phrase, determiner phrase)
This is the complete article, containing 113 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
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