WHAT IS A PHRASE? 
A phrase is a group of related words that does not have a *subject* and a *predicate*. A phrase can also be a group of words that can be represented by one word.
It performs the function of a single part of speech.
Examples
1. is eating(verb phrase)
2.a boy(noun phrase)
3.to his son  (prepositional phrase)
4.that white shirt(adjective phrase)
5.too slowly (adverb phrase)


There are different types of phrases some of which are:


  • Verb phrase
  • Noun phrase
  • Adjective phrase
  • Adverb phrase
  • Prepositional phrase 


Verb phrase shall be our topic of discussion today.....


THE VERB PHRASE
We have learnt that a verb is an action word.
Therefore, a verb phrase can be one or a group of words performing an action.

Examples of verb phrases are:

I. is dancing
II. has gone
III. has been speaking
IV. is being done

Let's consider  a few sentences containing verb phrases.

1.She has been writing the English paper for several years now.

Now before we identity the verb phrase ,let us identify the verbs in the sentence  above....

So we can say, (has,been,writing) are the verbs in the above sentence....That is why we said  a verb phrase can be one or a group of words performing an action..Therefore the verb phrase in the above sentence is ; has been writing


2.He is travelling abroad next week.

The verb phrase in this sentence is .... is traveling. 


3. He will eat them all.

The verb phrase in the above sentence is.... will eat 


EXERCISE  1
Underline the verb phrase  in each of the following sentences.

1.My sister has swept the compound already.

2.We have climbed the mountain.

3.It does not cost much these days.

4.They did not do any business with us in 1980.

5.Prices have gone up during the last few weeks.

6.I have been busy throughout the day.

7.Cyril hasn't shaved since yesterday.

8.We have finished writing our exams now.

9.He didn't have time to see them all.

10.You have written a note to her.

11.He stayed at home till six o'clock.

12.He will eat them all.

13.Jane will wait for us over there.

14.He will leave here for the rural area soon.

15.The judge will ask you a few questions.

16.He will be reading the extract today.

17.I am afraid it will cost a lot of money.

18.I will sing it again this evening.

19.Mrs. Thompson will sell the house.

20.They may speak about it later in the day.

21.That house will be demolished in due course.

22.He is learning Mathematics in school.

23.You are swimming in the sea.

24.They will be travelling in a month's time.

25.Don't be eating rice always.

26.They have been going home every weekend.

27.We will get a new garden boy next week.