What is the definition of word phrase?

A word phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject and verb and therefore cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It functions as a unit of meaning within a sentence.

Here are some key characteristics:

* No subject or verb: Word phrases lack the essential components of a sentence.

* Expresses a single idea or concept: They convey a specific meaning, often describing something, modifying another word, or acting as a complement.

* Part of a larger sentence: Word phrases are typically embedded within a complete sentence, functioning as a noun phrase, adjective phrase, adverb phrase, etc.

Examples:

* Noun Phrase: "the big red ball"

* Adjective Phrase: "very happy"

* Adverb Phrase: "with great care"

* Prepositional Phrase: "in the garden"

* Infinitive Phrase: "to run a marathon"

Note: While word phrases lack a subject and verb, they can contain other grammatical elements, such as nouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions.

Distinguishing from a sentence:

* Sentence: Has a subject and verb, expresses a complete thought, and can stand alone.

* Word Phrase: Lacks a subject and verb, does not express a complete thought, and needs to be part of a larger sentence.