Phrase: a group of words that contains no subject/predicate set and that only acts as a single part of speech. We might use a simple adjective in a sentence to modify a noun or we might use a prepositional phrase instead. We might use a simple adverb in a sentence to modify a verb or we might use a prepositional phrase instead. The prepositional, appositive, and verbal phrases give us ways to make the adjective/adverb idea more elaborate, more developed. A government of the people, by the people, and for the people...

Appositive Phrase Appositive Phrase: an interrupting definition. Typically, an appositive defines a noun, and thus forms an adjective. The idea of an appositive is, “WE INTERRUPT THIS SENTENCE TO BRING YOU A DEFINITION.” It may consist of only one word or an entire phrase.

Appositive Phrase Punctuation: we put commas before and after appositives. Don’t forget the second appositive comma, or you wind up with catastrophes in which the appositive becomes the subject of the verb, and the subject often becomes a noun of direct address. Botticelli, the Renaissance painter painted angels, is a totally different thought from Boticelli, the Renaissance painter, painted angels. We always enclose appositive states and appositive years in commas. Athens, Greece, is the site of the Parthenon. June 20, 1997, is the date of departure.

Jorge’s sister, Marcia, is also a sophomore. Parts of Speech Parts of a Sentence Phrases NounNounNounv adv adjnoun Subj Pred SC Appositive

Practice Add appositive phrases to the following sentences. 1. The athlete won the competition. The athlete, with sprained ankles, won the competition, a chess match. 2. Mary, a classmate of mine, sang during the program, “High School Musical.” 3. The birds, chirping wildly, woke me, a dazzling young “man,” up this morning, earlier than necessary.

Prepositional Phrases – Phrases that begin with a preposition. Object of the preposition: the thing that the preposition relates to something else. It must be a noun or object pronoun (me, you, him, her, it, us, them). It is correct to say, “This is a present for you and me.” But it is wrong to say “This is a present for you and I.” There is no subject of a preposition. Compound objects of prepositions can be especially tricky.

Adjective Prepositional Phrases: prepositional phrases that modify nouns or pronouns should be placed immediately after the noun or pronoun they modify. If they are placed anywhere else, they are adverbial prepositional phrases and they modify the verb. This error is called a misplaced modifier. We could see corn growing from our car window. This should be From our car window, we could see corn growing.

Try: Example: The hikers hiked toward the summit. P of S: adj noun verb prep adj noun P of Sent: subj pred Phrases: adv. Prepositional

Practice Identify the prepositional phrases in the following sentences. 1. One of the fuses must be bad. 2. According to the newspaper, the movie was tedious, dull, and meaningless. 3. The nubby bark of the hollow log was becoming uncomfortable. 4. In the dusty trunk, we found photographs from the 1920s. 5. The waters of the Bahamas were warm and clear.

Verbals A verbal is not a verb; it is a former verb now doing something else. When we change a verb into a different part of speech, we call it a verbal. Verbals are nouns, adjectives, adverbs made out of verbs. There are THREE types of verbals that we label: gerunds participles infinitives

Gerund: a noun made from an –ing verb. All kinds of subjects and objects may be made out of gerunds or gerund phrases. A gerund might be by itself, or it might join with other words to make a gerund phrase. Example: One of my chores in the summer is mowing the lawn. P of S: pro prep pro noun prep adj noun verb noun adj noun P of Sent: subj pred SC Phrases: --prep phrase----prep phrase gerund phrase-

Practice Do a 3-level analysis on the following sentences. 1. Making friends in a new school can be difficult. n n prep adj adj n v v adj subj pred SC gerund ph prep phrase

2. Ms. Yashima found working full time difficult on the body. n n v n adj n adj prep adj n subj pred DO gerund phrase prep phrase 3. Writing my own songs has improved my vocabulary. n pro adj n v v pro n subj pred SC gerund phrase--

4. I like shopping with my friends.

Participle Phrase Participle: is an adjective made out of a verb using an –ing, -ed, or –en verb. Participial Phrase: This is a participle joined with other words to make an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. Example: The cat hissed at the dog barking in the yard next door. P of S: adj noun verb prep adj noun adj prep adj noun adj noun P of Sent: subj pred Phrases: prep phrase participial phrase

Practice Identify the participial phrases in the following sentences. 1. Roaming America’s Southwest, cowboys discovered ancient ruins. 2. Dressed in a white, sequined tutu, the ballerina looked like a snowflake. 3. I found my little sister dressed in my best dress.

Infinitive Phrases Infinitive: is a noun or modifier made from the to- form of the verb. To dream, to think, to snorkel. We think of an infinitive as one word, to wander, whereas a prepositional phrase like to Boston is two words. Avoid split infinitives. Splitting an infinitive means inserting an adverb between the two words of the infinitive. To vividly see is splitting the infinitive with the adverb vividly. It is better to put the adverb after the infinitive: to see vividly. Example: To hit a curve ball solidly is very difficult. P of S: noun adj adj noun adv verb adv adj P of Sent: Subject pred SC Phrases: infinitive phrase

Practice UNDERLINE the infinitives or infinitive phrases in the following sentences. 1. One way to improve is to practice. 2. Ryley was eager to experience life. 3. To observe the fascinating tide pool creatures, you must be quiet and still. 4. To walk along the Great Wall of China is a remarkable experience. 5. Sarah likes to live on the edge.