ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Phrasal template

Okay kiddo, have you ever played with Legos before? You know how you can mix and match different pieces to create something new? Well, a phrasal template is kind of like that, but with words instead of Legos.

A phrasal template is a specific kind of phrase that has two parts: the "base phrase" and the "insert." The base phrase is the part of the phrase that stays the same every time you use it. It's like the foundation of your Lego creation. The insert, on the other hand, is the part of the phrase that changes every time you use it. It's like the different Lego pieces you use to create a unique design.

For example, let's say our base phrase is "I need to _______." The blank space in the base phrase is where the insert goes. Depending on what we want to say, we could put different words in the blank space. Here are a few examples:

- I need to go to bed.
- I need to eat some breakfast.
- I need to clean my room.

See how the base phrase stays the same, while the insert changes to create a different meaning? That's a phrasal template!

Phrasal templates are useful because they allow us to communicate more efficiently. Instead of having to come up with a completely new phrase every time we want to express a specific idea, we can use a phrasal template and just switch out the insert. It's like having a Lego set with endless possibilities!