Meaning & use
phrases
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“phrases” is a form of “phrase”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Groups of words that go together and form a unit of meaning, often shorter than a full sentence.
Grammar: This is the plural form; the singular is "phrase", and it is countable, so use "a phrase" or "phrases".
Patterns
- a phrase
- common phrases
- phrases like something
She learned a few useful phrases before her trip to Japan.
The teacher wrote several phrases on the board and asked us to translate them.
Idioms are fixed phrases whose meaning you cannot guess from the single words.
verbtransitive
States or expresses something in a particular way using words.
Grammar: Takes an object: you phrase a question, a request, or an idea.
Patterns
- phrase something carefully
- phrase something well
- phrase something as something
He phrased his criticism so gently that nobody felt insulted.
Could you phrase that question more simply for the children?
She always phrases her emails politely.
Word forms
| singular | phrase |
|---|---|
| third person singular | phrases |
| past tense | phrased |
| past participle | phrased |
| -ing form | phrasing |
Common combinations
- a set phrase
- "How do you do?" is a set phrase you rarely hear now.
- a common phrase
- "Take care" is a common phrase at the end of a friendly message.
- a key phrase
- Underline the key phrase in each paragraph.
- phrase a question
- Try to phrase the question so that it cannot be answered with just yes or no.
- a catch phrase
- The comedian's catch phrase became famous overnight.
- a noun phrase
- In "the tall boy", "the tall boy" is a noun phrase.
Synonyms and how they differ
- expression
- Slightly broader than "phrase"; it can mean a fixed phrase, a look on someone's face, or the act of showing a feeling.
- saying
- Use this for a short well-known sentence of wisdom, like "Better late than never", rather than for any group of words.
- wording
- This refers to the exact words chosen, not to a group of words as a unit.
Word family
- phrase noun
- A group of words that work together as a unit.
- phrasing noun
- The way someone chooses and arranges words.
- phrasebook noun
- A small book of useful expressions for travelers.
- paraphrase verb
- To say or write something again using different words.
Commonly confused: phrases or frays? phrases or frazes?
phrases vs frays
Sounds the same but means fights or worn edges: "Tempers frayed" and "The rope frays". It has nothing to do with words.
phrases vs frazes
Not a real English word; it is a common misspelling of "phrases". Remember the "ph" spelling.
Practice
Which sentence uses "phrases" correctly?
Choose one answer.
"Phrases" works as the third-person singular verb meaning "expresses in words", so "She phrases her requests..." is correct. Option A confuses it with "frays" (wears out), option C should be the compound noun "phrasebook", and option D confuses it with "frays" meaning fights.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “phrases”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.