Unit 5: PHRASES & CLAUSES

1. Phrases
1.1 Definition:
A phrase: a combination of words, considered as a grammatical unit that is
consited of a Head word & all the words clustering around the head word.
Ex
the beautiful girl => N Phrase
Dt A/M => N
to be a good student : Infinite Phrase
A/M => N
jogging in the morning : prepositional phrase
Present participle phrase
over the rainbow: prepositional phrase
[Link]
- A phrase is recognized by its head word
=> 5 main types of phrases: noun phrase (NP); verb phrase (VP); adjective phrase
(AP); adverb phrase (AvP); & prepositional phrase (PP)
1.2.1 Noun phrase
- N Phrase: consisting of a N ( Head word) & all the words or word group belong
to the N & cluster around it.
Ex
A sleeping child
An upstairs room
- The words coming before the head: pre-modifiers.
- The words following after the head: post-modifiers.
Ex
The town hall clock
Town: NP/M/Ajal
Town hall: N/Pre-M/ Ajal
The newspaper - daily Tuoi Tre
Daily: A/pre-M/Ajal
Daily TT: NP/ post-M/Ajal => The newspaper.
*Fuction of a N Phrase.
a. Subject of a sentence.
Ex
The beautiful flowers are sent to the mother.
The beautiful flowers: NP/S/Nal
Beautiful: A/M/Ajal=> flowers
To the mother: PP/RO ( Retained Object) /Nal
Somebody sends the beautiful flowers to the mother.
NP/DO PP/IO
Somebody send the mother the beautiful flowers.
NP/IO NP/DO
The mother is sent the beatiful flowers.
NP/RO/Nal
b. Complement (C)
- Subject complement (SC) :
+ Refers, identifies, describes the subject of a sentence.
+ linking verbs
+ Can be a noun or an adj
Ex. Paurl is the man I met last night
Paurl: N/S/Nal
The man: NP/SC/Nal
I met last night: that/whom AC/M/Ajal => M for the man
Last night: NP/M/Aval.
-Object complement(OC): trang 54, mau cau 9
 Prefers, identify the Direct Object(DO) & complements the meaning of the
DO
 Some verbs are:

Ex.
They voted my mother the best doctor of the city.
My mother: NP/DO/Nal
the best doctor of the city: NP/OC/Nal
=>My mother is the best doctor of the city: NP/SC/Nal
c. Object (O) of a Verb:
c.1: Direct Object(DO): 51/mau cau7
- a N or a Pr complements the meaning of a transitive verb.
- reiceive the action of the door/ agent.
Ex
I have fast bought a new shirt
New: A/M/Ajal
A new shirt: NP/DO/Nal
c.2 Indirect Object (IO)
- reiceive an action of the verb indirectly through a preposition.
- identified by the question: to whom, for whom. Sometimes with different
preposition: 52/maucau8
- can be different parts of speech.
Some transitive verbs are:
 Give – type verbs: give, make, find , tell, buy, write, ask, play, build, teach,
assign, feed, offer, throw, hand, pass, sell, pay.
When a indirect object precedes direct object: there is no preposition. In this
case, the IO is a an NP. On the other hand, if the indirect object follows
Direct Object, a preposition is needed the indirect object is a PP / maucau8
Ex. I offer the boy next door a bouquet .
NP/IO/Nal NP/DO/Nal
Next door: NP/M/Ajal
=> I offer a bouquet to the boy next door
NP/DO/Ajal PP/IO/Nal
The teacher asks his students some questions
NP/IO/Nal
The teacher asks some questions of his students.
PP/IO/Nal
  Explain type words: explain, deliver, say, dictate, describe, introduce,read,
invite,sing..
=>For this type of words: the IO always requires a preposition regardless its
position.
Ex
The teacher has explained that difficult lesson to his student
NP/DO/Nal PP/IO/Nal
The teacher has explained to his students that difficult lesson
NP/DO/Nal
 Some verbs as “ read, write, sing” may have an IO without DO. In this case,
an IO has a preposition.
Ex
When I arrive in America, I’ll write to you
To you: PP/IO/Nal
If I have enough time, I’ll sing for you.
For you: PP/IO/Nal.
c.3. Object of prep: OP
follows a complements the preposition & can be different parts of speech
Ex
She puts the book on the table
The table: NP/OP/Nal => M for puts
The book: NP/ DO/ Nal
On the table: PP/M/Aval.
d. Modifer (M)
d.1 Adjectional modifer
The high heel shoes were broken
NP/S/ Nal
High heel: NP/M/ Ajal M for shoes
d.2. adverbial modifier
The day something unsual happened
The day: NP/S/ Nal
Unsual: A/M/Ajal
Something unsual: NP/M/ Ajal
1.2.2. Adjective Phrase (AP)
- consisting of an Adj as a Head & its M
- fuction of an AP
a. Complement (C)
a.1 SC
That girl is very helpful
Very: Av/M/ Aval M for helpful
Very helpful: AP/SC/Ajal
The girl helpful is a newcomer.
Helpful: A/M( for the girl) / Ajal
A newcomer:NP/SC/Nal.
CoA: Complement of an Adj
a.2 OC
b. Modifier(M)
b.1 pre-M
A very handsome boy is playing chess in class.
A Very handsome boy : NP/S/Nal
Very Av/M/Aval – M for handsome
Very handsome: AP/ M/ Aval – M for boy
Chess: M/DO/Nal
In class: PP/M/Aval M for playing.
b.2 post-M
The film harmful children is not to be shown.
Harmful to children: AP/M/Ajal M for the film
To children: PP/CoA/Nal
Not : Av
1.2.3 Adverb Phrase (AvP)
- consiting of an adv as a head & its Modifier.
- telling the location, time, manner, purpose…
- modifying verb, adj, another adv, a phrase, a clause, of the while sentence.
Ex.
She drives very carefully.
Very carefully: AvP/ M/ Aval M for drives
Very: Av/M/ Aval M for carefully.
She is very extremely nice girl
Very extremely nice girl: NP/ SC/ Nal
Very extremely nice: AP/M/ Ajal M for girl
Very extremely: AvP/M/ Aval.
She was reiceived rather less enthusiastically.
rather less enthusiastically: AvP/M/Aval M for reiceived
rather less: AvP/M/Aval M for enthusiastically.
Very quickly, the boy did not die.
AvP/M/Aval M for die.
1.2.4 Prepositional phrase(PP)
- having a preposition is a head & followed by its N phrase or a Pronoun.
- fuction of a Preposition Phrase:
 A PP is fuctioned as a N
- S of a sent:
On the beach now is much better than in class
(what)On the beach now: PP/ S/Nal
Now: Av/M/Aval. M for on the beach now.
Much better than in class: AP/ SC/Ajal.
- SC
We are in class now. Maucau2, 49.
In class: PP/ SC/Aval
Now: Av/SC/Aval
My favorite hiding place is under the table.
My favorite hiding place: NP/S/Nal
Favourite hiding: GP(Gerund Phrase)/ M/Ajal M for place
Favorite: A/M/Ajal M for hiding
Under the table: PP/ SC/Aval
The table: NP/OP/Nal
- OC:

We find your explanation over our head.

 your explanation: NP/DO/Nal
over our head: PP/OC/Ajal
Your explaination is rather difficult to understand
rather difficult : AP/SC/Ajal
to understand: Inf/CoA/Nal
- DO:
+ Transitive verbs:
Ex. I prefer in class: PP/DO/Nal
Note: For the verbs that required a prepositional phrase(PP) complements
the verb through a preposition, called prepositional object (Pre O)
Ex. I do not believe in him : PP/Pre O/Nal
Your success depends on/upon their efforts: PP/PreO/Nal
You can rely on Kevin : PP/Pre O/Nal
- OP:
Ex
The mouse emerged from behind the table: PP/ OP/Nal
From: PP/M/Aval
 A PP is fuctioned as an Adj: nominal N.
Ex
My son is the boy near the window: NP/SC/Nal
Near the window: PP/M/Ajal ( M for the boy- which)
 A PP is fuctioned as a Av
Ex
Due to the bad weather, the plane arived one hour later
PP/M/Aval M for after clause NP/M/Aval
The bad weather: NP/OP/Nal latter: NP/M/Ajal - hour
Bad: A/M/Ajal
1.2.5 Verb Phrase(VP)
- consiting of a lexical verb or a linking verb as a Head &
words clustering around NP,Pr(DO)/ Av(M)/ N,A(SC) the Head Verb Av/Auxiliary
-Fuction of a VP:
 A predicator(P) of a sentence.
Ex. We drive along the new road NP/OP/Nal
Along the new road:PP/M/Aval
Drive along the new road: VP/P/Val ( verb) for Drive
-Finite& non-finite VP:
+ finite VP: main verb of the sentence & verb: finite VP → tenses, agreement with
the S
+ non-finite VP: an infinitive phrase (Inf. P), a gerund phrase (GP), a participle
phrase (Part. P) or absolute phrase (Abs.P)
a. Infinite Phrase ( InP)
- Consiting of an infinite is a Head Word in its Object(S)- transitive,
complememt(C)- linking or modifier(s) – intransitive
- Fuctions of an InfP
a.1 As a N
 Subject of a V:
Ex. To eat lots of vegetables every day is good for health.
Lots of vegetables: NP/DO/Nal.
Every day: NP/M/Aval
Is good for health: VP/P/Val
Good for health: AP/SC/Ajal
For health: PP/CoA/Nal
 Complement (C )
+ SC.
The best way to study English effectively is to be in an English speaking
environment.
Best: A/M/Ajal – M for way
The best way to study English effectively: NP/S/Nal
to study English effectively: Inf P/ M/ Ajal – M for way
English: N/DO/Aval
Effectively: Av/M/Aval
to be in an English speaking environment. : InfP/SC/Nal
an English speaking environment.: PP/ Complement of Verb- CoV/ Val
in an English speaking environment.: NP/OP/Nal
English speaking: GerundP/ M/Ajal.
English: A/M/Ajal.
He is very intelligent. That is a good person. This book is mine
AP /SC/Ajal NP/SC/Nal Pr/SC/
*Note: Complement of Verb (CoV ) completes the verb in the same way as direct
object(DO) when the verb is linking verb without the Subject or Transitive Verb
that takes an obligatory complement but does not passive.
Ex. John became a famous singer NP/SC/Nal
To become a famous singer is not easy.
InfP/S/Nal A/SC/Ajal
a famous singer: NP/CoV/Nal
It seems that he has never been paid the money: NC/SC/ Nal

A century ago, it seemed unlikely that we would find a cure for malaria.
NP/M/Aval Pr/Formal S/ Nal NC/Real S/ Nal
 A century ago, that we would find a cure for malaria seemed unlikely.
A/SC/Ajal.
[Link] have plety of time:
[Link] box contains 5 snails
[Link] gloves do not fit me.
[Link] flight to HN took 2 hours
[Link] room measures 5m leng.
All: NP/CoV/Nal
 OC- maucau9:
I consider to study this way to waste time.
InfP/DO/Nal InfP/OC/Nal
This way: NP/DO/Nal
Time: NP/DO/Nal
 Complement of An Adjective(CoA)
N+ be+ A+ to V
+ for s.b +to V
+ that + clauses
*biến thế của mẫu câu số 1.
She is glad to see him again.
glad to see him again: AP/SC/Ajal
to see him again: InfP/CoA/Nal
again: Av/M/Aval
a.2 As a Adj
  M of a N
A test to check cholesterol level is needed fo fat people.
A test: NP/S/Nal
To check cholesterol: InfP/M/Ajal
Cholesterol level: NP/DO/Nal
For fat people: PP/RO/Nal
 As an Adverb
M for a V or the whole sentence
We used dynamte to demolish the bulding quickly
Dynmate: N/DO/Nal
To demolish the bulding quickly: InfP/M/Aval
Quickly: Av/M/Aval
To pass the final exam, we must study hard.
To pass The final exam: InfP/M/Aval
The final exam: NP/DO/Nal
Must: Aux
Hard: Av/M/Aval
b. Gerund Phrase: GP
A gerund phrase consit of a Gerund is a Head Verb & its Object(s), complement(s),
or modifier(s)
A gerund phrase act as a NP.( look at again theory of a NP)
b.1 S of a sent: Walking in the garden is my hobbby
Walking in the garden: GP/S/Nal
My hobby: NP/SC/Nal
b.2 DO: I enjoy swimming in the morning
in the morning: PP/M/Aval , M for swimming
swimming in the morning: GP/DO/Nal
b.3 IO: I gave swimming in the pool all any time
all: pre-det
all any time: NP/DO/Nal – maucau8
swimming in the pool: GP/IO/Nal
b.4 OP: You shouldn’t run after eating too much
too much: AvP/M/Aval
eating too much: GP/OP/Nal
after eating too much: PP/M/Aval.
b.5 SC: My hobby is walking in the garden
walking in the garden: GP/SC/Nal
b.6 OC: I found living this way being in prison. Tr54.
Living this way: GP/DO/Nal
Being in prison: GP/OC/Nal
Nhận dạng OC: to be/ as/ like/ consider vào trước.
c. Participial phrase:
c.1 Present participle phrase( pres part P)
- having a present participle as a Head Word in its Object(s), complement(s) or
modifier(s)
- a pres part P vary serve
* as an Adj
+ M of a N : The boy sitting near the window is my son
The boy sitting near the window: NP/S/Nal
Going home, he found his dog poismed.
[Link]/M/Aval NP/DO/Nal [Link]/OC/Ajal.
On the river bank
*As an Adv
M of the whole sent.

2. Clauses
2.1 Definition
* a group of words with a finite verb ( tense & agreement with the subject)
* 2 main types:
+ independent clause: a complete sentence → a main subject & verb.
+ dependent clause: a group of related words → both a subject & a predicate
- like a phrase, a dependent/subordinate clause not a sentence & linked to the
main clause by a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun.
* identified by their function in the sentence
2.2 Classification of dependent clauses.
- Dependent clauses identified by their function in the sentence.
a. Noun clauses (NC) – what, how
- a NC fuctioned as a N
- a NC introduced by
 Interogative pronouns
 That/ if/ whether…or…
-Fuction of a NC
(1) Subject of a sentence. (S)
Ex. That you are very charming is undeniable.
NC/S/Nal
Very charming: AP/SC/Ajal – maucau9
Very: Av/M/Aval
Undeniable: A/SC/Ajal – maucau1
Whether you come or not is unimportant to me.
NC/S/Nal
Unimportant to me: AP/SC/Ajal
To me: PP/CoA/Nal – coa for unimportant
(2) Complement of a verb (C )
 SC:
Ex.
The fact that he doesn’t try his best
NC/SC/Nal
his best – NP/DO/Nal
That ‘s what I intended to say
What: prn
To say: Inf /DO/Nal
what I intended to say: NC/SC/Nal
 OC:
She made me what I am
Me: Pr/DO/Nal
What I am: NC/OC/Nal
 CoA
Subj+Be+Adj+to V
+ That clause
It+be+Adj+ for s.b + to V
 ( Real S)
Ex.
I am hopeful that you can come here early.

Hopeful that you can come here early: AP/SC/Nal

that you can come here early: NC/CoA/Nal
I am afraid that we lost
NC/CoA/Nal
I am afraid of being lost
PP/CoA/Nal
=>Khác nhau vị trí nma chức năng, vị trí thì giống nhau.
 Complement of N
- C o N completes the meaning of a N as the same way of DO ( q with “what”)
Ex.
I hope that you’ll pass the exam
NC/DO/Nal
I am hopeful that you’ll pass the exam
NC/CoA/Nal
The hope that you’ll pass the exam.
NC/CoN/Nal
The theory that meaning is our ancestors is wrong.
NC/CoN/Nal
The theory that you told me is wrong
AC/M/Ajal
=>Complement typically follow the Head Noun in English while modifiers can
reiceived or follow the Head Word and can be movable.
(3) Object of a Verb – maucau7,8
 DO:
I knew (that) you are the champion.
NC/DO/Nal
Jim doubts that he’ll pass the exam.
NC/DO/Nal
The exam: NP/DO/Nal
doubts that he’ll pass the exam: VP/P/Val
 Indirect object (IO) – maucau8
Ex
Give the tools to whoever can use them.
The tools: NP/DO/Nal
Whoever can use them: NO/IO/Nal
Them: Pr/DO/Nal
Give whoever can use them the tools
Whoever can use them: NO/IO/Nal
The tools: NP/DO/Nal
 OP:
They laughed at what they said.
What they said: NC/OP/Nal
At what they said: PP/DO/Nal
b. Adjectives Clauses: (AC)
- AC identifies, midifies, describes, or gives for their information about the Head
Noun.
- AC is introduced by relative pronouns: who(m)/that; which/that; whose+N, of
which; where( on/at/in which); when( on/at/in which); why ( for which); the
same/such +N+as; double negatives+but.
- Fuction of a AC:
+ Nominal modifier(M) =>Always post-M.
Ex:
I remember the day we first met each other
AC/M/Ajal
I remember we first met each other.
NC/DO/Nal
The day we first met each other is so nice.
NC/CoN/Nal
She is the finest woman that ever lived here.
Ever: Av/M/Aval
Here: Av/M/Aval.
Finest: A/M/Ajal – woman
That: Pr/S/Nal
that ever lived here: AC/M/Ajal - woman
the finest woman: VP/P/Val.
The company hires only men who have experience.
Only:
c. Adjective clause (AC)
- An AvC talls the location, time, manner, reason, result, condition..
- Modifies the main verb, an adj, another adv, or the whole sentence.
+ M of V: He loves you because you are rich.
+ M of A: She is so charming that nobody can help loving her.
+ M of Av: He plays guitar so well that all his friends admire him.
+ M of sen.: Before I go to school, I have bread …