Final answer:
A phrase is a group of words that functions as a single unit and does not contain both a subject and a verb. In the case of 'the new cat', it is a phrase because it does not have a verb.
Step-by-step explanation:
A phrase is a group of words that functions as a single unit, but does not contain both a subject and a verb. It can act as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb in a sentence. In the case of "the new cat", it is a phrase because it does not have a verb. It simply describes the noun 'cat'.
Learn more about Phrases vs. Clauses