circumstantial phrase
nounUK /ˌsɜːkəmˈstænʃəl freɪz/
US /ˌsɜːrkəmˈstænʃəl freɪz/
A group of words that tells when, where, or how something happens.
In the sentence 'We played outside after lunch,' the words 'after lunch' are a circumstantial phrase.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A phrase that gives extra details about the situation of an action.
'With a big smile' is a circumstantial phrase in 'She waved with a big smile.'
3. A phrase that answers questions like 'when?', 'where?', or 'why?'.
'Because of the rain' answers why in 'We stayed home because of the rain.'
4. A phrase that can often be moved to different spots in a sentence.
'In the morning' can go at the start or end of 'In the morning, we ran.'