Unit 4 Chapter 20: The Phrase 7th English

Phrase -Definition—a group of words that functions in a sentence as a single part of speech. Phrases do NOT contain subjects and verbs!

Prepositional Phrases -Remember a prepositional phrase contains a preposition and an object (a noun or pronoun) -Prepositional phrases can act like adjectives or adverbs

Adjective Phrases Adjective phrase—a prepositional phrase that acts like an adjective It modifies a noun or pronoun by telling what kind or which one Ex: The roadway with two lanes began there. Ex: The rancher with the angry face stopped us.

Adjective Phrases -Adjective phrases can modify other adjective phrases Ex: The weather vane on the roof of the barn spun wildly. -More than one adjective phrase can modify the same word. Ex: There was the smell of rain in the air.

Adverb Phrases Adverb phrase—a prepositional phrase that acts like an adverb -It modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb -Adverb phrases point out where, when, in what way or how, or to what extent.

Adverb Phrases Ex: Raindrops fell in heavy torrents. Ex: The day was warm for December. Ex: The tornado struck suddenly, within minutes of the warning.

Adverb Phrases -Adverb phrases are not always located near the words they modify Ex: During the storm, ranchers chased the herd. -Two or more adverb phrases can be in different parts of the sentence and modify the same word Ex: In an instant, a tornado tore through the house.

Appositives Appositive—a noun or pronoun placed after another noun or pronoun to identify, rename, or explain the preceding word Ex: The painter Pablo Picasso lived in Spain. Ex: I want to visit Spain’s famous museum, The Prado.

Appositive Phrases Appositive phrases—an appositive with adjectives or adverbs -The phrase comes directly after the noun or pronoun it is modifying -75% of the time an appositive phrase will be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas Ex: Willa Cather, an American novelist, wrote My Antonia.

Verbal phrases Verbal—a word that looks like a verb but acts like something else -A verbal can act like an adjective, noun, or adverb.

Participles Participle—a verbal that acts like an adjective -Tell “what kind” or “which one” -Many participles end in –ed or –ing Ex: A walking tour was arranged. Ex: The cooked food won’t spoil.

Participial Phrase Participial Phrase—a participle with its modifiers (adjective, adverb, complement) -Usually it comes directly before or after the noun or pronoun it modifies, but it may be located somewhere else in the sentence Ex: The instructor, speaking slowly, explained the use of skis. Ex: The skier, choosing her slope, looked at its features carefully. Ex: The esteemed poet, honored by the award, expressed his thanks.

Infinitives Infinitive—a verbal that acts like a noun, adjective, or adverb -Uses the word “to” plus a word that looks like a verb Ex: To listen, To ask

Infinitive Phrases Infinitive phrase—an infinitive with modifiers Ex: It is important to listen carefully. Ex: It is not polite to listen through the keyhole. Ex: I want her to hear the news.