Phrase

Phrase

In everyday speech, a phrase may refer to any group of words. In linguistics, a phrase is a group of words (or sometimes a single word) that form a constituent and so function as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence. A phrase is lower on the grammatical hierarchy than a clause.

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Famous quotes containing the word phrase:

    “Poor but happy” is not a phrase invented by a poor person.
    Mason Cooley (b. 1927)

    Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. General recognition of this fact is shown in the proverbial phrase “It is the busiest man who has time to spare.”
    C. Northcote Parkinson (1909–1993)

    Men always sell strawberries, women, blackberries, your all- knowing Creole friend says. ‘Why?’ you ask. ‘Ah, it has always been that way.’ When you get to know Creoles better, you realize that the phrase ‘It has always been that way’ justifies everything.
    —For the City of New Orleans, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)