phrase
B1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
A small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit, typically forming a component of a clause.
A short, memorable or pithy expression; a manner or style of speaking or writing; in music, a short, distinct passage; in linguistics, a unit of grammatical structure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In everyday use, 'phrase' often refers to any memorable or idiomatic string of words. In linguistics, it has a precise technical meaning as a syntactic constituent (e.g., noun phrase, verb phrase).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The verb 'to phrase' is equally common. The spelling 'phraseology' is identical.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in both. The noun is slightly more common than the verb.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + phrase: to coin a phrase[adjective] + phrase: a memorable phrasephrase + [noun]: phrase structureto phrase + [noun phrase]: to phrase a requestVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to coin a phrase (ironic)”
- “catch phrase”
- “turn of phrase”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in drafting communications, e.g., 'We need to phrase the announcement carefully to avoid market panic.'
Academic
A core term in linguistics for syntactic units (NP, VP). Also used in rhetoric and composition.
Everyday
Refers to common expressions or how something is said, e.g., 'I can't remember the exact phrase he used.'
Technical
In music, a distinct musical idea; in computing, a search string or a sequence of tokens.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you phrase that more politely, please?
- The lawyer phrased the contract in deliberately vague terms.
American English
- You should phrase your complaint differently.
- The instruction manual is poorly phrased.
adverb
British English
- (Rare; typically 'phrasing' as a gerund) He answered, phrasing his reply cautiously.
- N/A
American English
- (Rare; typically 'phrasing' as a gerund) She spoke, phrasing each word carefully.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The phrase structure of the sentence is complex.
- He has a very phrase-based learning style.
American English
- We studied phrase boundaries in linguistics class.
- It's a simple phrase-level error.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- 'Hello, how are you?' is a common English phrase.
- I learned a new phrase today.
- The phrase 'break a leg' means 'good luck'.
- Can you explain this phrase in the contract?
- His unique turn of phrase makes his writing instantly recognisable.
- The grammatical function of a prepositional phrase is to modify a noun or verb.
- The diplomat meticulously phrased the statement to avoid any unintended provocations.
- The opening phrase of the symphony is one of the most recognisable in classical music.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'phrase' as a 'phase' of speech – a complete, small segment of language, just as a phase is a distinct stage.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A BUILDING (phrases are the bricks or components); LANGUAGE IS A JOURNEY (a phrase is a step or segment of the path).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'phrase' directly as 'фраза' in all contexts. In Russian, 'фраза' can imply an empty or pompous statement ('говорить фразами'), which is not inherent in the English word.
- The English 'phrase' as a verb ('to phrase') is often best translated as 'сформулировать'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'phrase' with 'sentence' (a sentence must have a subject and predicate; a phrase does not).
- Using 'phrase' to mean only idioms or fixed expressions, neglecting its grammatical sense.
Practice
Quiz
In linguistics, which of the following is NOT typically considered a type of phrase?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A clause contains a subject and a predicate (verb). A phrase is a group of words that functions as a single unit within a clause but lacks a subject-verb pairing (e.g., 'the big house' is a noun phrase).
Yes. To 'phrase' something means to express it in words in a particular way (e.g., 'How should I phrase this email?').
An idiom is a specific type of phrase where the meaning is not predictable from the individual words (e.g., 'kick the bucket'). All idioms are phrases, but not all phrases are idioms.
It refers to a particular or characteristic manner of expression, often highlighting someone's distinctive or skilful way with words.
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