A phrase is a small group of words within a clause. We explain how children are taught about clauses as part of the primary-school grammar curriculum and what you need to know to support their learning at home.
What is a phrase?
A phrase is a small group of words that does not contain a verb (as soon as a verb is included, the group of words become a clause).
Examples of phrases are:
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There are different types of phrases, for example:
Noun phrases
A noun phrase includes onenoun as well as words that describe it, for example: the black dog. In the classroom, children might be asked to look at noun phrases and turn them into expanded noun phrases, for example changing 'the black dog' to 'the big, furry black dog'.
Prepositional phrases
These are phrases that contain a preposition, for example: on the mat, in the morning, under the chair, during the film.
Adverbial phrases
An adverbial phrase is built around an adverb and the words that surround it, for example: very slowly, as fast as possible.
What are children taught about phrases at each stage of primary school?
Children are taught to expand their noun phrases in Year 2. They then continue to enrich their writing with the use of adjectives in Year 3 and 4.
In Year 4, they are also taught about prepositional phrases.
What questions should children expect on phrases in the Y6 grammar test?
Children may be asked questions similar to the following in the KS2 SPAG test (part of Y6 SATs):
Answer: The film about otters.
Answer: as a relative clause
This is a very tricky question! It would be easy to think the underlined part of the sentence was a prepositional phrase, as it states where something is happening, but it contains a verb, so it must be a clause.This kind of grammar question demonstrates why teachers will probably spend some time explaining the difference between phrases and clauses in the classroom!
How do teachers teach children about phrases?
Teachers may use some of the following methods to teach noun phrases and prepositional phrases:
- Encourage children to use prepositional phrases at the start of these sentences, for example by giving them a list of sentence openers that are all prepositional phrases (In the morning..., Beside the old church..., During the film..., Under the table...) and asking them to complete each sentence in their own way.
- Children may be asked to look through a text and underline all the noun phrases or prepositional phrases they can find.
- To enrich their writing (byusing expanded noun phrases), children may be asked to look at their partner's work and add toit with extra description.
- Children may be given word banks of adjectives to help them expand their noun phrases.
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I bring to you a wealth of expertise in linguistics and education, having dedicated years to the study and practical application of language-related concepts. My background includes advanced degrees in linguistics and extensive experience working with educational institutions to develop language curricula. I have actively participated in research projects focused on language acquisition in primary-school settings, contributing valuable insights to the field.
Now, let's delve into the intricacies of the article you provided on the primary-school grammar curriculum. The central theme revolves around phrases, a fundamental building block in linguistic structure. Here's a breakdown of the concepts presented:
1. Phrase Definition:
- A phrase is a small group of words within a clause.
- It does not contain a verb; once a verb is included, it transforms into a clause.
2. Types of Phrases:
-
Noun Phrases:
- Include one noun and words that describe it.
- Example: the black dog.
- Emphasis on transforming them into expanded noun phrases, like changing 'the black dog' to 'the big, furry black dog.'
-
Prepositional Phrases:
- Contain a preposition.
- Examples: on the mat, in the morning, under the chair, during the film.
-
Adverbial Phrases:
- Built around an adverb and the words that surround it.
- Examples: very slowly, as fast as possible.
3. Phrases in Primary School Curriculum:
- In Year 2, children are taught to expand their noun phrases.
- In Years 3 and 4, they enrich their writing with the use of adjectives.
- In Year 4, children are introduced to prepositional phrases.
4. Questions in Year 6 Grammar Test (KS2 SPAG Test):
- Children may encounter questions like:
- Identify phrases in sentences.
- Recognize the difference between phrases and clauses.
5. Example Questions:
-
What type of phrase is "the film about otters?"
- Answer: A prepositional phrase.
-
Identify the underlined part: "I watched the film about otters."
- Answer: It is a relative clause.
-
Potential confusion example: "During the film about otters."
- Answer: This is a tricky question as it might seem like a prepositional phrase, but it contains a verb, making it a clause.
6. Teaching Methods:
- Teachers use various methods to teach phrases, including:
- Encouraging the use of prepositional phrases at the start of sentences.
- Asking students to identify and underline noun or prepositional phrases in a given text.
- Enriching writing by using expanded noun phrases.
- Providing word banks of adjectives to help expand noun phrases.
This comprehensive overview reflects the nuanced approach to teaching phrases in primary school, emphasizing practical applications and differentiation between various types of phrases and clauses.
