Another insight into the question by "So tell me".

I define phrasing as specific dance accents performed at certain points in the course of a dance--that highlights the expression of that point in the music.

You may, at this accent point use semi-static figures (line figures such as same foot lunge), hovers, syncopations, or even (if you're good enough) snap-accent a certain part of a figure at a step not normally accented (eg open telemark--snapping the head to promenade during a Foxtrot).


Phrasing can be done a number of ways.
One is mechanical (or mathematical , if you will) where you presume a structure commonly used in music (by fours, eights, twelves) etc... (not saying that is right--just that you can do it that way).

Another is by feel--where if it feels right you do a hover, for example.

Regardless of the mechanism, phrasing is not so esoteric--it just requires a certain level of appreciation and understanding of the music one is dancing to, and the basic command/control of one's body and partner to slow down (or speed up) a section of a figure at a desired juncture of an amalgamation.
While calculating how figures might stack during a musical phrase is common advice, the truth is, by the time you're good enough to start phrasing, such calculations will become second nature.

Can one use the middle of a figure to phrase/accent? Yes, B U T,
It takes considerable skill to do so.

My opinion and two cents worth.




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