THE PHRASE

A phrase is a group of related words that is used as a single part of speech and does not contain a verb and its subject.

has been sitting (no subject, only verb)about you and me (prepositional phrase)

PRACTICEPhrase or not?1. was hoping2. if she really knows3. with Alice and me4. will be writing5. inside the house6. since Donna wrote7. after they leave8. has been cleaned9. on Lotte’s desk10. as the plane lands

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASESA prepositional phrase is a group of words beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun.Instead of a picnicBehind our houseUnder the sea

THE ADJECTIVE PHRASEPrepositional phrases are used in sentences mainly as adjectives and adverbs (telling more about the subject or verb). Prepositional phrases used as adjectives are called Adjective Phrases. The members of the club want sweatshirts with the club emblem.

ADJECTIVE PHRASEThe horse with the white blaze on its face broke loose.

The bottle of vitamins on the shelf is mine.

You try:

We bought a new porch swing.The St. Louis arch is a well-known landmark.We need to get a new dog chain.

THE ADVERB PHRASEWhen a prepositional phrase is used as an adverb to tell when, where, how, how much, or how far, it is called an Adverb Phrase. Also, this prep. Phrase will tell more about the verb.

She sailed across the lake.During summers, my older sister works at the museum.

THE ADVERB PHRASEShe sailed across the lake.

Mother is good at tennis but better at volleyball.

You Try: Identify the adverb phrase and the words they modify:

In the morning, my friends and I drove to Lincoln Park.Later in the day, we walked around the park.This monument shows humanity as it marches through time.

DIAGRAMMING PREP PHRASESThe prep phrase is placed on a slanted line leading down from the word that the phrase modifies:By chance, a peasant uncovered a wall of ancient Pompeii.

VERBALS AND VERBAL PHRASESForms of verbs that are used as other parts of speech—will not be the main verb.

3 types:ParticiplesGerundsInfinitives

THE PARTICIPLEPart verb, part adjective

Twirling their canes, the dancers tapped across the stage.The pouring rain drove us inside.A peeled and sliced cucumber can be added to a garden salad.The speaker, known for her eloquent speeches, drew applause from the audience.

Present Participles: infinitive+ing=twirl+ing=twirlingPast Participles: infinitive+ed/d=twirl+ed=twirled

THE PARTICIPLETake out a sheet of loose-leaf paper and number 1-10. Open your grammar book to page 99 and begin exercise 6. We will grade it in class.

THE PARTICIPIAL PHRASEA participle may be modified by an adverb or prep phrase, and it may have a complement. This forms a participial phrase.

Switching its tail, the panther paced.She heard me sighing loudly.Living in Nebraska, he learned to respect blizzards.

PARTICIPIAL PHRASESWith a partner complete one of the story prompts. Use participial phrases to enrich your story. Be sure to include an interesting climax!

Dropping like a stone, the unconscious boxer hit the mat hard.The car, gaining speed on the straightaway, fought hard for the lead in the race.The politician stepped to the podium, clearing his throat and unfolding his speech.Tip-toeing carefully, the girl peered around the corner at her enemy.

PARTICIPIAL PHRASESIdentify the participial phrase. Be sure to include all parts of the phrase in your answer. 1. Stating her objections, the lawyer defended the

perpetrator. 2. Excusing me from the desk, the teacher enlightened my

insights on my project.3. She fell off her stool laughing at my funny joke.4. She knew she was destined to achieve fame.5. Quickly grabbing the keys, I dashed for the door.

GERUNDSA verb form ending in –ing used as a noun.

Singing is fun.Their favorite exercise is running.Shelly likes swimming.Get special shoes for jogging.

The loud ringing of my alarm wakes me every morning.Floating lazily in the pool is my favorite summer pastime.

By studying, you can improve your grades.

Yelling violates basic rules of courtesy.

Yvette’s favorite sport is boating.

Yesterday, Mrs. Jacobs was discussing flying.

GERUND PHRASEConsists of a gerund together with its complements and modifiers, all of which act together as a noun.

The gentle pattering of the rain was the only sound.

I feared skiing rapidly down the mountain.His job is giving customers their menus.

Evelyn Ashford won the gold medal for running the hundred-meter dash.

INFINITIVESVerb form, usually following the word to that can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

To love is to care.The place to visit is Williamsburg.Sabina Miller jumped to shoot.

INFINITIVE PHRASEConsists of the infinitive together with its complements and modifiers.

To proofread your writing carefully is important.They wanted to vacation in New York.She is the player to watch in the next game.We are eager to finish this project.She wanted to join the chorus.I’m going to the pond to fish.After our long vacation, we need to get back in training.

ACTIVITYExample:Use writing as the subject of the sentence. Include an adjective modifying the gerund.“Clear writing is an essential communications skill.”

--in your group, follow the directions on each slip. I will assign you to specific numbers and groups.--follow the directions on each numbered slip. Be sure to replace the slip after the five minutes is up. --follow the numbers sequentially—if you start at 5, your next stop should be 6.

PRACTICE2. Several faculty members offered to chaperone the class trip.4. Squeaking chalk can set people’s teeth on edge.6. Playing golf is a popular summertime activity at the resort.8. Even those who never write letters enjoy receiving them.10. Jody was proud of his worn-out catcher’s mitt, but his teammates thought it was too old.

DIAGRAMMINGPractice:

Our team practices late in the afternoon.

DIAGRAMMINGMother taught the computer game to my father, my uncles, and me.

DIAGRAMMING

Follow the signs to highway 3 in Laconia.

DIAGRAMMING

I was delighted with the outcome of the story.

DIAGRAMMING-PARTICIPIAL PHRASES

Wagging its tail, the large dog leaped at me.

DIAGRAMMING-GERUNDS/GERUND PHRASES Being tired of the constant cold is a good reason for taking a vacation in the winter.

DIAGRAMMING-INFINITIVE PHRASESI am leaving early to get the tickets.

INFINITIVES USED AS NOUNSTo join the Air Force is his longtime ambition.

DIAGRAMMING

Our brother helped us play the game.