Please find my comments below:
For #1: Because without the change, one like query match is executed for ‘%phrase%’.
Comment: Yes you are right.
For #2: Whith the change, you have 2 like queries for ‘phrase%’ and ‘%phrase%’, where the ‘%phrase%’ actually includes everything matching the ‘phrase%’ as well.
Comment: For 2nd like query there is space between % & phrase.
‘<% phrase%>’
You are the expert, you can only tell me what needs to be done in order to achieve desired result.