Hello! I want to believe you've understood the types of phrase and phrasal structures. If not, see phrases first. Here, we'll deal with function(s) of each type of phrase. The noun phrase, which is usually headed by a noun, has six major functions. Here I unfold them with illustrative examples.
- Subject of verb: noun phrase functions as subject of verb if it precedes the verb in a sentence or behave as the subject. Ex.: that boy is a centaur. The Grammatical Name of the underlined is Noun phrase while the function is: subject of the verb, "is".
- Object of verb: it is an object of verb if it takes the position of an object in a sentence, that is, affected by an action. Ex.: Mr Mitchell awarded Stone, the astute. The underlined expression has: GN= Noun phrase. Function= object of the verb. When it is an object, it should come after the verb immediately but in the case of being a direct object, it may be slightly distant from the verb. Only that, the noun phrase should be affected by the verb in that sentence before you call it an object of verb. See an example of a noun phrase being an indirect object of a verb. He gave the man some money.
The manis an indirect object whilesome moneyis direct. Its grammatical name is also Noun phrase and the function is object of the verb, "gave". - Subject complement: when a Noun phrase tells more about the subject of a sentence, it is a complement of that subject. A noun phrase in this form is usually linked to the subject by a linking verb or a state of being verb. Ex.: He is a soldier. The underlined is a complement of the subject,"He".
- Object complement: an object may also be telling more about an object. If a noun phrase behaves like this, it is a complement of the object in that sentence. Ex.: He helped Mrs Eorl, a widow. It is a noun phrase that serves as complement of the object, "Mrs Eorl".
- Apposition to a Noun: noun phrase is appositive when it lays an emphasis on the subject. Unlike the subject complement that takes a linking verb between the subject and itself, the apposition follows the subject immediately. Ex.: Captain Emmanuel, the soldier and novelist, is an amazing man. This is a noun phrase that serves as apposition to the noun, "captain Emmanuel". Note: it's characteristic of appositions to be set off by commas as evident in the apposition example above.
- Complement of preposition: when a noun phrase occurs immediately after a preposition, it serves/functions as complement of the preposition. Ex.: They all sat on that mango tree. That Noun phrase evidently serves as complement of the preposition, "on".
Adjectival function
The adjectival phrase has no other function than qualifying or modify a nominal entity; therefore, adjectival phrase has a united function unlike the noun phrase. The adjectival is also called relative but this term is mostly identified with clause. So say: adjectival phrase; relative clause. I'pe you didn't forget that adjectival phrase is usually the combination of an intensifier and an adjective. Examples:
- The pain is too excruciating.
2. He is very nice. This is an adjectival phrase that qualifies/modifies the noun "He" functionally.
Adverbial function
Since the adverb modifies an action, the adverbial phrase maintains this standard; it modifies an action, a state or habit in a sentence. Ex.: I arrived home very late lastnight. The underlined is an example of adverbial phrase. It modifies the verb "arrived". Adverb is the combination of two or more adverbs in a sentence.
The infinitival
The infinitival phrase is usually to+verb, as in: to walk, to see, to eat, etc. This may function as a subject of verb, object of verb or an adjective qualifying a noun. Ex :
1. To be a man is very challenging. Here the infinitival phrase functions as subject of the verb, "is".
2. She wants to become a nurse. Here it functions as object of the verb, "wants".
3. We have a matter to discuss. In this example, the infinitival phrase qualifies the noun, "a matter".
Gerundive function
The gerundive may also function as subject of a verb, complement of a subject or object of a verb. Examples:
1. Seeing is believing. In this example, the gerundive phrase serves as subject of the verb, "is".
2. Seeing is believing. This is another example of a gerundive phrase. It serves as complement of the subject,"seeing".
3. He likes running. The gerundive phrase here serves as object of the verb, "likes".
Verbal phrase
Verbal phrase is the combination of two or more verbs to realise a particular tense or aspect. It usually functions as predicate to a subject. They had washed all the dishes before your arrival.
G.N= verbal phrase.
Function= it serves predicate to the subject,"they".
The participial
The participial is always a modifier to the other part of a sentence but there's always a key word that it modifies in phrase because that word leads it to that other part. It could be present participle (ing) or past participle (ed/en). Ex.: walking down the street, he met a man. That participial phrase modifies the noun, "he".
Broken unknowingly by an infant, he is pierced by a shard. It modifies "he".
Prepositional phrase
The prepositional doesn't have any fixed function of its own. It serves either as an adverb, adjective or complement of an adjective. Examples:
1. He ran to the crown for refuge. This is a prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverb of place that modifies the verb, "ran".
2. Help her with all your strength. Prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverb of manner that modifies the verb help.
The participial
The participial is always a modifier to the other part of a sentence but there's always a key word that it modifies in phrase because that word leads it to that other part. It could be present participle (ing) or past participle (ed/en). Ex.: walking down the street, he met a man. That participial phrase modifies the noun, "he".
Broken unknowingly by an infant, he is pierced by a shard. It modifies "he".
Prepositional phrase
The prepositional doesn't have any fixed function of its own. It serves either as an adverb, adjective or complement of an adjective. Examples:
1. He ran to the crown for refuge. This is a prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverb of place that modifies the verb, "ran".
2. Help her with all your strength. Prepositional phrase. It functions as an adverb of manner that modifies the verb help.
3. That man at the gate is your father. Prepositional phrase. It serves as an adjective; it qualifies/describes the noun, "that man".
4. I'm happy for you. This is another prepositional phrase. It serves as a complement of the adjective, "happy". If you don't understand the structure of prepositional phrase yet, check it here.
4. I'm happy for you. This is another prepositional phrase. It serves as a complement of the adjective, "happy". If you don't understand the structure of prepositional phrase yet, check it here.