We have already learned that a word is a group of letters arranged in such a way that they make sense. Examples are: flower, book, tree and apple.
A phrase is a group of words that make sense. Examples are: the book, on the table, in the corner and under the tree.
We cannot make a phrase by simply putting two or more words together. For a group of words to be a phrase, they must make sense. For example, the following word combinations are not phrases.
- On table the
- Sky in the
- Books two
Exercise 1
Put a tick mark against the group of words that are phrases.
1. On land
2. On the roof
3. book a
4. girl beautiful
5. clever boy
6. a glass of water
7. a pair of shoes
8. a story interesting
9. crow clever the
10. a hardworking animal
Solution
1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 10 are phrases because they make sense.
Exercise 2
The groups of words given below are not phrases because they do not make sense. Rearrange them in such a way that they make sense.
1. a cake of piece
2. a song lovely
3. picture beautiful a
4. an old man wise
5. monkey clever a
6. a milk of glass
7. a garland flowers of
8. soap a bar of
9. car my uncle’s
10. woman old an
Answers
1. A piece of cake
2. A lovely song
3. A beautiful picture
4. A wise old man
5. A clever monkey
6. A glass of milk
7. A garland of flowers
8. A bar of soap
9. My uncle’s car
10. An old woman