Part 2
• Phrase
• Comparison Degree
• Subject Verb agreement
In English grammar, a phrase is a group of two or more
words functioning as a meaningful unit within a sentence
or clause. A phrase is commonly characterized as a
grammatical unit at a level between a word and a clause.
A phrase is made up of a head (or headword)—which
determines the grammatical nature of the unit—and one
or more optional modifiers. Phrases may contain other
phrases inside them.
• Noun phrase
• Adjective phrase
• Adverbial Phrase
Task Name
• Prepositional phrase
• To infinitive phrase
Task Name
1. Noun phrase
Functions:
a. As the subject of a sentence
Task Name
b. As the object of a sentence
c. As the object of a preposition
d. As a subject complement
Task Name
1. Noun phrase
Modifier Head Example
Article Task Name Noun The water
Quantifiers Noun Many rooms
Adjective Noun Easy job
Noun Noun Registration fee
Taskadjective
Possessive Name Noun Her information
Past participle Noun Fried chicken
Present participle Noun Rising star
2. Adjective phrase
Function:
• Modifying noun
• As subject complement
Task Name
Modifier Head Example
Adverb Adjective • TOEFL is absolutely hard
Task Name • The weather is too hot
3. Adverbial phrase
Function:
Modifying verbs/adjectives
Task Name
Modifier Head Example
Adverb Adverb • Very diligently
Task Name • Extremely positively
4. To infinitive phrase
Functions
The subject
Task of a sentence
Name To change our habit is difficult.
The object of a sentence He likes to play piano.
The subject complement Their ambition is to get TOEFL 650.
Post modifier
Task Name Everybody has time to visit the palace.
As the adverb of a sentence The ambassador comes to discuss the
business
5. Prepositional phrase
Functions
The subject
Task complement
Name The secretary is in the meeting room.
The adverb of a sentence After eruption, all flights are postponed.
The modifier The book on the table is mine.
Task Name
A comparative can be a word or phrase that expresses
similarity or difference. A comparative can also be a
word ending like -er or -est that expresses a degree of
comparison with adjectives and adverbs.
Comparative:
Compare one vs one thing.
Example
• My house is larger than hers.
• This wrist watch is more expensive than a bike.
Superlative:
Compare one vs many things (more than one).
Example
• Vatican is the smallest country in the world
• Arwen is the most beautiful girl in Middle Earth
•
IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES:
Good/well -> better -> best
Far -> farther/further -> the farthest/the furthest
Bad/badly -> worse -> worst
Little -> less -> least
AS + ADJECTIVE/ADVERB + AS
We use as + adjective/adverb + as to make comparisons
when the things we are comparing are equal in some
way:
• The world’s biggest bull is as big as a small elephant.
• The weather this summer is as bad as last year. It
hasn’t stopped raining for weeks.
Subject verb agreement is the relationship between a
subject and verb or between a pronoun and noun, or
between a pronoun and another pronoun. To agree, a
subject and verb must both be singular or both be plural.
Basic Rule :
Singular subject (he, she, it) takes a singular verb (is,
goes, sees), whereas a plural subject (we, they, you)
takes plural verb (are, go, see).
Example :
• The boy plays in the garden.
• The boys play in the garden.
Exception: Singular I and you
Singular you is the same with plural you
Auxiliary verb for I is am
RULE 1
A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of.
• Incorrect : A bouquet of yellow roses lend color and
fragrance to the room.
• correct : A bouquet of yellow roses lends color and
fragrance to the room.
RULE 2
With words that indicate portion (a lot, a majority, some,
all) rule 1 is reversed. If the noun after of is singular, use
singular verb. If it is plural, use plural verb.
• A lot of pie has disappeared.
• A lot of pies have disappeared.
• All of the pie is gone.
• All of the pies are gone.
RULE 3
Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or
neither/nor require a singular verb.
Examples:
• My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train.
• Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.
• Either Kiana or Casey is helping me.
RULE 4
The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence
agrees with the noun/pronouns closest to it.
Examples:
• Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that
shelf.
• Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that
shelf.
RULE 5
Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by
such word as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc.
these words are not part of the subject, so just ignore
them.
Example
• The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected
shortly.
RULE 6
Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums
of money, etc., when considered as a unit.
Examples:
• Three miles is too far to walk.
• Six years is the maximum sentence for that offense.
• Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
