The Phrase

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Courtesy of Joanne Anderson, A.H.S.

The Phrase

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

n   Students arrived without their books

n   They placed them inside the bookcase.

I. Prepositional Phrases

n    A group of words beginning with a preposition and usually ending with a noun or pronoun.

n   The dog with brown fur is the cutest.

n    The noun or pronoun in the phrase is the Object of the Preposition.

n   The dog with brown fur is the cutest.

Prepositional Phrases

n    Two types of Prepositional Phrases

A.  Adjective Phrases: a phrase that describes a noun or pronoun.

B.  Adverb Phrases: a phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

A. Adjective Phrases

n    Notice how the phrase describes the noun

n   A man without a hat = hatless man

n   Food from China = Chinese food

n    Phrases may modify the same noun:

n   The families on my block down the street.

n    Phrases may modify another phrase:

n   The picture of my dad during his childhood.

B. Adverb Phrases

n    Modifying a verb:

n   The squirrel ran up the tree.

n    Modifying an adjective:

n   Tom Slick was skillful in his car.

n    Modifying an adverb:

n   Students laughed happily with relief.

 

Adverb Phrases

n    Tell when, where, why, how, or to what extent:

n   The town grew quiet after the storm [when].

n   They peered through the window [where].

n   Most street musicians play for tips [why].

n   This summer we’re going by car [how].

n   She won the game by two points [to what extent].

II. Verbals

n    Three types of verbals:

A. The Participle: a verb that can be used as an adjective (ends in –ing, -ed, -d, or past tense of irregular verbs “know” = “known”).

B. The Gerund: a verb that can be used as a noun (ends in –ing).

C. The Infinitive: a verb that is preceded by to, used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

A. The Participle

n    It describes a noun, but looks like a verb:

n    The boiling teapot almost overflowed.

n    A jagged edge kept cut my hand.

n    Present participle: add –ing

n    The giggling girls gawked at the guys.

n   Verb phrases, not participles: Were smiling / is checking

n    Past participle: add –ed, -d (irregular)

n    Noticed by Sara, the surprised boy looked away.

 

The Participle Phrase

n    Consists of the participle, plus all modifiers and complements (completes the meaning), may contain prepositional phrases:

n   I heard Sara whispering to Julie about him.

n   Cheered on by Sara, Jon caught the pass.

n   The game, scheduled for tomorrow, should be awesome and exciting!

B. The Gerund

n    Subject of the Sentence:

n   Reading will improve your English grade.

n    Object of the Sentence:

n   I enjoyed seeing all my students again.

n    Object of Preposition:

n   She made it to school on time by running.

The Gerund Phrase

n    Consists of the gerund, plus all modifiers and complements.

n    Subject:

n   Singing in the rain is a wonderful pastime.

n    Object:

n   He enjoys playing football on Sundays.

n    Object of preposition:

n   She won by training in her free time.

C. The Infinitive

n    Infinitives used as nouns:

n   To think is to exist. (subject / predicate nom.)

n    Infinitives used as adjectives:

n   The candidate to believe is ?????????.

n    Infinitives used as adverbs:

n   Agoura High School was quick to score.

The Infinitive Phrase

n    Consists of the infinitive, plus all modifiers and complements.

n    Subject:

n    To throw a football spiral is very difficult.

n    Direct Object:

n    She wants to be an actress on CSI.

n    Adverb:

n    It is sometimes difficult to hear myself thinking.

III. Appositives

n    A noun or pronoun that follows another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it.

n    Responds to which noun.

n    My best friend, Mr. Anderson, is also my husband.

n    Jane’s son Chikutachay is a linebacker.

n    Susan, Jane’s younger sister, speaks French.

n    A diligent student, Mark was accepted to Harvard.