DEFINITION
A phrase is a group of words that work together as a single part of speech. A phrase will not contain both a subject and a verb. EXAMPLES:
Not a phrase: A clause is a group of words containing both a subject and a verb.
NOUN PHRASE (NP)
A noun phrase is comprised of a noun and its modifiers (adjectives and adverbs modifying those adjectives).
EXAMPLES: the sun
the bright sun
the incredibly bright sun
EXAMPLES: the sun
the bright sun
the incredibly bright sun
verb phrase (VP)
A verb phrase consists of the main verb and any helping verbs.
EXAMPLES: was shining
had been shining
will have been shining
EXAMPLES: was shining
had been shining
will have been shining