Phrases

A PHRASE is a group of words which contains neither a subject nor a verb.

Verbals

verb

An Adjective modifies a noun or

pronoun

A verbal phrase is a verb form that wears a mask. It functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

A Noun is a person, place, thing, or idea

An Adverb modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb

Prepositional Phrases

A preposition links nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in the sentence. A prepositional phrase isnot a verbal phrase, since it does not look like a verb!

Important notes about prepositions:

A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE BEGINS WITH A PREPOSITION AND ENDS WITH A NOUN OR PRONOUN CALLED THE

OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION.

THE SUBJECT OF THE SENTENCE CAN NEVER BE PART OF A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE.

A VERB CAN NEVER BE A PART OF A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE.

The subject is who or what is doing the action.

Prepositional Practice

Identify the prepositional phrase:

1. The librarian took from her desk a new edition

of one of the classics.

2. It was placed in the display case in the corner of the library.

Appositive PhrasesAn appositive is a noun or pronoun -- often with

modifiers -- set beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it. An appositive phrase is

not a verbal phrase, since it does not look like a verb!

The insect, a cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table.

A hot-tempered tennis player, Robbie charged the umpire and tried to crack the poor man's skull with a racket.

.

The phrase is renaming the insect.

The phrase is renaming Robbie.

Infinitive Phrases

An infinitive phrase is a group of words made up of an infinitive and …. An infinitive phrase is

a verbal phrase, since it does look like a verb!

FunctionsDirect Object

Adverb

Complement

Adjective

We intended to leave early.

We must study to learn.

His ambition is to fly.

He lacked the strength to resist.

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Terms to know

Subject complement The word or clause that follows a linking verb and complements, or completes, the subject of the sentence by either renaming it or describing it.

Direct objectThe noun that

receives the actionof the verb.

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Infinitive Practice

Identify the infinitive phrase and tell how it is used:

1. To finish her shift without spilling another pizza into a customer's lap is Michelle's only goal tonight.

2. Lakesha hopes to win the approval of her mother by going to the family reunion.

3. His hope is to win.

Subject

Direct object

complement

The Gerund

A Gerund ends in -ing, and functions as a noun. It isa verbal phrase, since it does look like a verb!

FunctionsSubject

Direct Object

Complement

Object of a Preposition

Swimming is my favorite activity.

I hope you appreciate my offering you this chance.

My favorite activity is sleeping.

The police arrested him for speeding.

Gerund Practice

Identify the Gerund and tell how it is used:

1. Skydiving can be dangerous.

2. Singing is fun.

3. Walking around the zoo is a great form of entertainment.

4. By saving, we will be able to care for our families.

Subject

Subject

Subject

Object of preposition

The participle A participle is a word/phrase used as an adjective and

most often ends in -ing or -ed. It isa verbal phrase, since it does look like a verb!

Removing his coat, Jack rushed to his mother.

Children introduced to music early become very intelligent.

.

The phrase is an adjective modifying Jack.

The phrase is an adjective modifying which children.

Important notes about participles:

A participle is a verbal ending in -ing (present) or -ed, -en, -d, -t, or -n (past) that functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun.

A participial phrase consists of a participle plus modifier(s), object(s), and/or complement(s).

Participles and participial phrases must be placed as close to the nouns or pronouns they modify as possible, and those

nouns or pronouns must be clearly stated.

A participial phrase is set off with commas when it: a) comes at the beginning of a sentence b) interrupts a sentence as a nonessential element c) comes at the end of a sentence and is separated from the word it modifies.

Avoid dangling participles