在英语的这几种短语中，一般而言，谓语动词短语、形容词短语和副词短语的结构较为固定。因此，写作在这几类短语运用上的灵活空间较小。相对而言，英语短语中的介词短语、名词性短语和非谓语动词短语的语句结构和表意功能尤其活跃和强大，英语短语中的介词短语、名词性短语和非谓语动词短语可以说具备英语语言表达的词汇功能，因为英语短语在语句中只是语句的一个句子成分而已，同时，它们在一定程度上又具备一个完整英语语句（从句）的表意功能，换言之，英语短语常常能够表达一个具备主-谓结构的从句所表达的语义思想。而在整个语句的结构上，与英语从句相比，英语短语占用的是有限的结构空间，正如上述所提到的，它们仅仅是一个完整英语语句的一个句子成分而已。在不少情况下，英语从句可以找到某个恰当的英语短语进行替代，而能履行其相应的表意功能。
语例：
名词性短语的语句表意功能：
（1）In the past decades， China has developed a series of new agricultural technologies， and that has resulted in the high increase of China's agricultural production.
The development of a series of new agricultural technologies In the past decades has resulted in the high increase of China's agricultural production.
（2）All available evidence points to the fact that more and more young people are declaring their allegiance to traditional values.
All available evidence points to the fact of more and more young people's declaration of their allegiance to traditional values.
介词短语的语句表意功能：
（1）With the steady progress in different sectors of China， we are very confident that China will play more and more important roles in international affairs.
With the steady progress in different sectors of China， we are very confident with China's more and more important roles in international affairs.
（2）Now when China is entering the world and other countries are approaching to us， we should make good use of this opportunity and make contributions to the world civilization.
Now with China's entering the world and other countries' approaching to us， we should make good use of this opportunity and make contributions to the world civilization.
非谓语-ing动词短语的语句表意功能：
（1）Whenever you tell a lie， you do so at the expense of your reputation.
Whenever you telling a lie， you do so at the expense of your reputation.
（2）I should be grateful if you would let me know as soon as possible whether you are able to accept the attachment on the above terms and conditions.
Letting me know as soon as possible your ability to accept the attachment on the above terms and conditions， I should be grateful.
非谓语to do动词短语的语句表意功能：
（1）Now it is high time we took effective measures to solve this problem.
Now it is high time for us to take effective measures to solve this problem.
（2）The essential solution， in my opinion， is that we combine developing and protecting.
The essential solution， in my opinion， is to combine developing and protecting.
非谓语-ed动词短语的语句表意功能：
（1）In the picture that has been presented to us， an oil lamp gives out bright flame against the dark background.
In the picture presented to us， an oil lamp gives out bright flame against the dark background.
（2）The beautiful articraft was in fact entirely made of things that were outused and thrown away by people.
The beautiful articraft was in fact entirely made of things that were outused and thrown away by people.
由此可见，英语短语仅占用有限的语句资源而能履行更加强大的语义思想功能。英语短语自然成为熟练英语写作者常常借助的语句手段。优秀英语语篇文本常常具有写作者对英语短语的娴熟和高超的方法运用。
短语在文本写作中的妙用语例：
（1）We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution.Let the word go forth from this time and place， to friend and foe alike， that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century， tempered by war， disciplined by a hard and bitter peace， proud of our ancient heritage - and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed…
（2）I've come here tonight to report to all Americans， and to the Iraqi people， on the strategy our nation is pursuing in Iraq， and the specific steps were taking to achieve our goals.
3.小结
根据英语语句的累积性组织结构规律，不难找出英语语句的拓展和英语语句的简约的具体操作方法。就英语语句的拓展而言，具体来讲，其方法主要有四种：单词的短语化、短语的从句化、增加语句中的分句以及拓展平行结构。
英语语句的简约则刚好相反，那就是减少语句中的分句、从句的短语化、短语的单词化以及减少语句的平行结构。通过这几种简单的方法，就能有效进行英语语句的拓展和简约，以及相当程度的不同英语语句句型和句式的灵活自如的转换。
