Phrases Notes

What is a phrase? Phrase: A group of related words that is used as a single part of speech. Does not contain both a verb and its subject.

Types of Phrases Prepositional phrases ◦ Adjective phrases ◦ Adverb phrases Verbal Phrases ◦ Participial phrases ◦ Gerund phrases ◦ Infinitive phrases Appositive phrases

Prepositional Phrases Preposition: over, under, against, in, to, etc. A prepositional phrase has a preposition, the object of the preposition, and any modifiers for the object. Example: A koala is a marsupial, a mammal with an external abdominal pouch. [The noun pouch is the object of the preposition with.] Two kinds: Adjective & adverb.

Adjective Phrase A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or a pronoun is called an adjective phrase. Adjective phrases tell what kind or which one. Example: No one in the class has seen the movie yet. [In the class modifies the pronoun no one, telling which one.]

Adverb Phrase A prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. Adverb phrases tell when, where, why, how, or to what extent. Example: After the storm, the town grew quiet. [After the storm modifies the town grew quiet, telling when.]

Participial Phrase Participle: a verb form that can be used as an adjective to describe a noun. Example: The smiling graduates posed for the camera. A participial phrase has a participle and any modifiers. Example: I heard him whispering to his friend. [The participial phrase modifies the pronoun him.]

Gerund Phrase Gerund: an –ing verb form. It is used as a NOUN, rather than a verb. Example: Reading will improve your intelligence. A gerund phrase consists of a gerund and any modifiers/compliments. Example: The sudden shattering of glass broke the silence.

Infinitive Phrase An infinitive begins with to. It is a verb form that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and any modifiers/compliments. Example: To hit a curveball solidly is very difficult.

Appositive Phrase Appositive: a noun/pronoun placed beside another noun/pronoun to identify or describe it. Example: My cousin Jim is twelve. An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and any modifiers. Example: Snowbird, a ski resort in Utah, is in the Wasatch mountains.

Practice Prepositional (Adjective & Adverb) ◦ P. 471 Review A Verbal (Participial, Gerund & Infinitive) ◦ P. 482 Review D Appositive ◦ P. 484 Exercise 10 REVIEW ALL ◦ P. 486 Review F