CHAPTER 2
PHRASES
1.
Adjective Phrases
14. We
have seen that sometimes a group of words does the work of an adjective (§ 3).
Now
examine the following pairs of sentences:-
1. (a) The
vizier was a wealthy man.
(b)
The vizier was a man of great wealth.
2. (a) The
magistrate was a kind man.
(b)
The magistrate was a man with a kindly nature.
3. (a) The
chief lived in a stone house.
(b)The
chief lived in a house built of stone.
4. (a) I
like to see a smiling face.
(b)
I like to see a face with a smile on it.
5. (a) The
coolies belonged to a hill tribe.
(b)
The coolies belonged to a tribe dwelling in the hills.
In each of
the above pairs of sentences, we have first a single word describing the person
or thing
denoted by the noun, and then a group of words describing the person or thing
denoted
by the same noun.
For
instance, the group of words of great wealth tells us what sort of man the
vizier was.
It
qualifies the noun man just as an Adjective does. It therefore does the work of
an
Adjective
and is called an Adjective Phrase.
Def:-
An Adjective Phrase is a group of words that does the work of an Adjective.
15.Study
the following Adjectives and the Adjective Phrases that are equivalent to
them:-
Adjectives
-- Adjective Phrases
A golden
crown. -- A crown made of gold.
A purple
cloak. -- A cloak of purple colour.
A white
elephant. -- An elephant with a white skin.
A jungle
track. -- A track through the jungle.
A
blue-eyed boy. -- A boy with blue eyes.
A deserted
village. -- A village without any inhabitants.
A blank
page. -- A page with no writing on it.
The
longest day. -- The day of greatest length.
The
Spanish flag. -- The flag of Spain.
A heavy
load. -- A load of great weight.
Exercise 8.
Pick
out the Adjective Phrases, in the following sentences:-
1. A man
in great difficulties came to me for help.
2. He is a
person of very considerable renown.
3. Wild
beasts in small cages are a sorry sight.
4. A man
without an enemy is a man with few friends.
5. He tells
a tale with the ring of truth in it.
6. A
friend in need is a friend in deed.
7. A
stitch in time saves nine.
8. A bird
in the hand is worth two in the bush.
9. Gardens
with cool shady trees surround the village.
10. Only a
man with plenty of money buys a car of such beauty and power.
11. In a
low voice he told the tale of his cruel wrongs.
12. Do you
know the story of the noble Padmini?
13. He was
a lad of great promise.
14. He
bore a banner with a strange device.
15.
The police arrested a man of one of the criminal tribes.
Exercise
9.
In each of
the following sentences replace the Adjective in italics by an Adjective Phrase
of
the same meaning:-
1. A grey
cloud spread over the sky.
2. He
dwelt in a wooden hut.
3. He had
a bald head.
4. She
wore a diamond necklace.
5. It was
a horrible night.
6. They
went by Siberian railway.
7. A
grassy meadow stretched before us.
8. An
earthen pitcher stood on a three-legged table.
9. The
French flag flew at the top of the highest mast.
10. That
was a cowardly act.
11. He is
well.
12. A
valuable ring was found yesterday.
13. Heroic
deeds deserve our admiration.
14. Much
has been said about the Swiss scenery.
15.
Numerical superiority is a great advantage.
16. The
Rajputs were passionately fond of martial glory.
17. I have
passed two sleepless nights.
18. He is
a professional cricketer.
19. This
book contains many biblical quotations.
20. She
wants medical advice.
21.
A tall soldier stepped forth.
Exercise 10.
Replace
each of the following Adjective Pharoses in italics by an Adjective of the same
meaning:-
He wore a
turban made of silk.
He has
done a deed of shame.
He led a
life devoid of blame.
He had a
bold held.
It was a
horrible night.
They went
by Siberian railway.
I met a
little girl from a cottage.
Balu was a
man with plenty of impudence.
From this
village in the mountains came a chieftain of a great fame.
The Rajput
leader was a soldier full of hope and free from fear.
Nelson was
a boy without fear.
Nobody
likes a person with a bad temper.
I admit
that he is a man of sense.
The tops
of the mountains were covered with snow.
He is an
author of great versatility.
It
is of no use.
Note:- Not
all Adjective Phrases can be replaced by Adjectives, for instance :
He
never felt the witchery of the soft blue sky.
Exercise
11.
Fill
in the blanks with suitable Adjective Phrases:-
1. An
elephant --- is considered searched by some people.
2. Birds
--- flock together.
3. He
leads a life ---.
4.
Children like books ---.
5. He lost
a diamond ---.
6. The old
sage spoke words ---.
7. She is
a woman ---.
8. John
Gilpin was a citizen ---.
9. Draw a
picture ---.
10. The
leaves --- are glossy.
11. He
heard the sound ---.
12. Listen
to the sound ---.
13. The
verdict --- was in his favour.
14. The
doors --- closed upon him.
15. The water
--- is very deep.
16. The
road --- is very muddy.
17. The
proprietor --- died yesterday,
18.
The paths --- lead but to the grave.
Exercise
12.
Write
five sentences containing Adjective Phrases.
II. Adverb Phrases
16. Just
as the work of an Adjective is often done by a group of words called an
Adjective
Phras.3, so the work of an Adverb is often done by a group of words.
Study
the following pairs of sentences carefully:-
1. (a)
Rama ran quickly. (How?)
(b)
Rama ran with great speed. (How?)
2. (a) He
answered rudely. (How?)
(b)
He answered in a very rude manner. (How?)
3. (a) He
does his work carelessly. (How?)
(b)
He does his work without any care. (How?)
4. (a) He
is coming now (When?)
(b) He is
coming at this very moment. (When?)
5. (a) No
such diseases were known then. (When?)
(b)
No such diseases were known in those days. (When?)
6. (a) The
arrow fell here. (Where?)
(b)
The arrow fell on this spot. (Where?)
7. (a) You
can buy it everywhere. (Where?)
(b)
You can buy it in all places. (Where?)
8. (a) He
fell down. (Where?)
(b)
He fell to the ground. (Where?)
In each of
the above pairs of sentences we have first a single word (an Adverb)
modifying
a verb, and then a group of words modifying a verb in the same way.
For
instance, the group of words with great speed tells us how Rama ran. It
modifies the
verb ran
just as the Adverb quickly does. It therefore does the work of an Adverb and is
called
an Adverb Phrase.
Def:-
An Adverb Phrase is a group of words that does the work of an Adverb.
Note:- An
Adverb Phrase, like an Adverb, may modify also an Adjective or Adverb: as,
Quinine is
good for malaria.
I
have done well on the whole.
17.
Study the following Adverbs and the Adverb Phrases that are equivalent to them.
Adverbs
-- Adverb Phrases
Bravely --
In a brave manner, or with bravery.
Unwisely
-- In an unwise manner, or without wisdom.
Swiftly --
In a swift manner, or with swiftness.
Beautifully
-- In a beautifully style.
Formerly
-- In former times, or once upon a time.
Recently
-- Just now, or at a recent date.
Soon --
Before very long, or at an early date.
There --
At that place.
Away -- To
another place.
Abroad
-- To (in) a foreign country.
Exercise
13.
Pick out
the Adverb Phrases in the following sentences:-
1. She
lived in the middle of a great wood.
2. Nothing
can live on the moon.
3. Come
into the garden, Maud.
4. Three
fishers went sailing over the sea.
5. O'er
her hangs the great dark bell.
6. Down in
a green and shady bed, a modest violet grew.
7. On your
conscience this will lie.
8. They
sat for a while on the bank.
9. Honesty
is written on his face.
10. The
gun went off with a loud report.
11. There
dwelt a miller hale and bold, beside the river Dee.
12. I
stood on the bridge at midnight.
13. To the
northward stretched the desert.
14. Beside
a green meadow a stream used to flow.
15. I have
read Bacon to my great profit.
16. In her
ear he whispers gaily.
17. Beside
the ungathered rice he lay.
18. They
fought to the last man.
19. He
persevered in the face of all obstacles.
20. The
shoe is pressing on my toe.
21. Keep
him at arm's length.
22. Make
yourself at home.
23. It
must be done at any price.
24.
Pauperism increases at a fearful rate.
25. He has
painted him in his proper colours.
26. He has
his finger on the pulse of the nation.
27. He
lives by his pen.
28. The
shepherd shouted lo them at the top of his voice.
29. He
strove with all his might to escape.
30.
Without pausing to consider, he struck the blow.
31.
Much water has run under the bridge since then.
Exercise
14.
In each of
the following sentences replace the Adverb in italics by an Adverb Phrase of
the same
meaning:-
1. The
pigeon flies swiftly.
2. Did
Rama behave well?
3. Go
away.
4. The
dying man replied feebly.
5. Gently
fell the rain.
6. We will
pitch the tents just here.
7. He
expects to get promotion soon.
8. He
built his house yonder.
9. They
have only recently arrived.
10.
Although hungry, the soldiers worked cheerfully.
11. He
spoke eloquently.
12. Soon
the sun will set.
13. Do
your work thoroughly.
14. They
were hurrying homeward.
15. The
door was suspiciously open.
16.
Formerly he worked at the School of Economics.
17.
He tried hard.
Exercise 15.
Replace
each of the following Adverb Phrases by an Adverb of the same meaning:-
1. The
bodies were mangled in a terrible manner.
2. Let us
cease work from this very truthfulness.
3. It was
just on this spot that he died.
4. The
child replied with perfect
5. He
arrived at that moment.
6. I hope
that he will come at a very early date.
7. He
seems to have acted with great promptitude.
8. No one
would dare to answer him in an impudent way.
9. I
accept your statement without reserve.
10. I
thank you with all my heart.
11. He
succeeded in the long run.
12. He is
ignorant to a proverb.
13. The
post-boy drove with fierce carrier.
14. He has
been painted in his proper colours.
15. The
wind blew with great violence.
16.
He has proved his case to my satisfaction.
Note:- Not
all Adverb Phrases can be replaced by Adverbs. For instance:-
I
took him on the strength of your recommendation.
Exercise 16.
Fill in
the blanks with suitable Adverb Phrases:-
1. The
knight fought ---.
2. The
Rajah treated his vizier ---.
3. The
woodman struck the wolf ---.
4, Do not
answer ---.
5. I agree
---.
6. He has
behaved ---.
7. He does
his homework ---.
8. He
treated his relatives ---.
9. The
police handled the bombs ---.
10. The
sailor climbed ---.
11. That
happened ---.
12. He
reached school ---.
13. He
does his homework ---.
14. He
failed ---.
15.
Old Mother Hubbard went ---.
Exercise 17.
Write
five sentences containing Adverb Phrases.
18.
Compare:-
1. The
crowd in the bazaar was very noisy.
2.
The crowd halted in the bazaar.
In
sentence 1, the phrase in the bazaar tells us which crowd was very noisy; that
is, it
qualifies
the noun crowd. It is therefore an Adjective Phrase.
In
sentence 2, the phrase in the bazaar tells us where the crowd halted; that is,
it modifies
the
verb halted. It is therefore an Adverb Phrase.
Hence we
see that the same phrase may be an Adjective Phrase in one sentence and an
Adverb
Phrase in another sentence.
We cannot
say what kind of Phrase a given Phrase is until we examine the work which it
does
in a sentence.
Exercise
18.
Say which
of the following are Adverb Phrases and which are Adjective Phrases:-
1. Have
you heard of the man in the moon?
2. How
could a man be in the moon?
3. They
live on an island.
4. A house
on an island was washed away.
5. Awful
is the gloom beneath her.
6. Then
why did she look beneath her?
7. Is this
the train to Peshawar?
8.
It usually goes to Peshawar, Sir.
Exercise
19.
Use the
following phrases in sentences:-
In a loud
voice; without further delay; with one voice; for certain; just in time; up in
arms; of
no consequence; out of fashion; with great satisfaction; in the twinkling of an
eye; on
either side of the street; in a shady nook; to the last man; with a smile; at
sixes
and
sevens; at the eleventh hour; on the top of the hill; in future; at nine
o'clock.
III. Noun Phrases
19.
Examine the following sentences:-
1. The boy
wants something.
2.
The boy wants to go home.
The
word something is a Noun and it is the Object of the verb wants, in sentence 1.
Similarly
the group of words, to go home, is the Object of the verb wants, in sentence 2.
Hence
this group of words does the work of a Noun. The group of words, to go home, is
therefore a Noun Phrase.
Def:-
A Noun Phrase is a group of words that does the work of a Noun.
Further
examples of Noun Phrases:-
Early to
bed is a good maxim.
He hopes
to win the first prize.
We enjoy
playing cricket.
He loves
to issue harsh orders.
Did you
enjoy reading this book?
I tried to
get the sum right.
To win a
prize is my ambition.
Standing about in a cold wet wind did me no good.
Exercise 20.
Pick out
the Noun Phrases in the following sentences:-
1. His
father wished to speak to the Headmaster.
2. The
wicked vizier loves getting people into trouble.
3. The
poor debtor intended to pay back every penny of the money.
4. He
dislikes having to punish his servants.
5. Horses
prefer living in dark stables.
6. I
should hate to do such a thing.
7. Have
you ever tried climbing a coconut palm?
8.
Thinking good thoughts precedes good actions.
9. He
refuses to answer the question.
10. To
write such rubbish is disgraceful.
11.
Promise to come again.
12. Why do
you like visiting such a man?
13. Travelling
in a hot dusty train gives me no pleasure.
14. He
denies stealing the money,
15. Your doing such a thing surprises me.
Exercise 21.
Supply a
Noun Phrase:-
1. I want
---.
2. ---
delights me.
3. We all
hope ---.
4. Pretend
---.
5. ---
seems dishonest.
6. ---
surprised my mother.
7. Do you
wish ---?
8. My
father hates ---.
9. ---
gives me no pleasure.
10. I
don't intend ---.
11. --- is
not easy.
12. I do
not expect ---.
13. I
enjoy ---.
14. He
wishes ---.
15. Cats
like ---.
16. His father promised ---.
Exercise 22.
Pick out
the Phrases and say whether they are Adjective Phrases, Adverb Phrases, or
Noun
Phrases:-
1. He
speaks like a born orator.
2. It
grieved me to hear of your illness.
3. Beyond
a doubt this man is honest.
4. He
failed in spite of his best efforts.
5. He won
the prize by means of trickery.
6. Do not
talk like that.
7. I have
forgotten how to play this game.
8. He
gained their affection in spite of many faults.
9. I do
not expect such treatment at your hands.
10. He
speaks too fast to be understood.
11. 1 do
not know what to do.
12. I do
not understand how to solve this problem.
13. He
persevered amidst many difficulties.
14. He
succeeded in the long run.
15. Birds
of a feather flock together.
16. This
is a matter of no importance.
17. The
train is behind time.
18. He is
a man of means.
19. It
lies near his heart,
20. He
keeps the necklace under lock and key.
21. He is
a person of no importance.
22. I want
to go to the cinema to-day.
23. I love
to hear the watch-dog's honest bark.
24. I did
it of my own free will.
25. Show
me how to do it,
26. His
car ran over a dog.
27. Things
are in a bad way.
28. She is
a woman of wonderful patience.
29. I have
found the key to his secret.
30. The
plan has the virtue of committing us to nothing.
31. I don't
see the point of the story.
32. How to
find the way to the ruins is the question.
33, Tubal
Cain was a man of might.
34. He did
it against his will.
35. I have
no time to waste on trifles.
36. Don't
do things by halves.
37. I enjoy walking in the fields.
