Phrases Appositive Prepositional Phrase Infinitive Phrase Participle Phrase Gerund Phrase

So what is a phrase? These are words that when put together do not have a subject and a verb Or do not express a complete thought

In the early morning of late spring Indeed Running quickly Is there a complete thought? Is there a subject? Indeed Is this a complete thought? Running quickly Is there a subject and verb? Is it a complete thought? The girl with the short, blond hair Is there a subject or verb?

An Appositive A phrase that renames or further explains something else in the sentence Location: They can come in the beginning, middle or end of a sentence. The sporty car, a red hatchback, was my brother’s pride and joy. Lucy, the black haired character in the Peanuts cartoon, has a crush on Schneider, the piano player.

Comma Rule: Appositive If the appositive can be removed and the sentence meaning is still clear, then use commas around the appositive. Example: Dilbert Dithers, one of the town’s junk dealers, collects vintage radios. If you remove the appositive (blue), does the sentence still make clear sense?

If the appositive is providing clear meaning to the sentence, then no commas should surround the appositive. Examples: The American author Ernest Hemingway spent many years abroad. Should there be commas around Ernest Hemingway? If we remove the appositive (blue) does the sentence have clear meaning? No b/c there are tons of American authors, so this info. is needed for sentence clarity. Pinkie’s brother Roscoe lives in Walla Walla. Pinkie’s sister, Lucille, lives in Sheboygan. Why are there no commas around Roscoe, but there are commas around Lucille?

Adjectives are not appositives. Appositives are nouns or noun phrase. Both do describe something else in the sentence. Example: The mangy dog looked lonely and dejected as he searched for food. The dog, a mangy and sad-looking Golden Retriever, was dejected as he searched for food.

Prepositional Phrases uses preposition and noun Adjective---prep. phrase modifies noun or pronoun Tucson has been the locale of many Westerns. Answers who, what or how many Adverb---prep. phrase modifies verb, adj. or adv. Tina exercises with care. [how does she exercise] Tina exercises before breakfast. [when she exercises] Answers how, when, where, to what extent or why Can appear in any location of a sentence because they just add more detail.

Comma Rule Generally, prep phrases don’t need commas around them. UNLESS, there are 2 or more starting a sentence. Then a comma must follow the last one. Examples: After school I will take my sister to the park. In the twilight of evening, my sister and I will return home. HINT: Prep. Phrases include a preposition and a noun, so you could have several strung together.

Prep. Phrases are NEVER the subject of a sentence Prep. Phrases are NEVER the subject of a sentence. They are only additional details.

Verbal Phrases 3 types of Verbal Phrases that are NOT VERBs of the sentence. All seem like a verb, but are not. Infinitive---will be a subject or object of sentence Participle---will be an adjective describing a noun Gerund---will be a subject or object of a sentence

Infinitive Phrase Verb form that begins with to but is acting as a noun or modifier in the sentence. To leave would be rude. (What would be rude?) No one wants to stay. (What don’t people want to do?) “To be or not to be” is a famous quote. These can be used as subjects or objects of a sentence. Can be nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence. Example: We needed to go to the store. (What did we need? Object) ***Don’t confuse the to with the infinitive with the to of a prepositional phrase to + Verb = Infinitive to + Noun = Prep. Phrase can be a subject or will never be a subject an object

Combine these sentences using an infinitive phrase Civil libertarians took to the streets and the courts. They wanted to achieve their goal. They fought for the rights of all Americans. Now all Americans have voting rights. Now each American has a responsibility. Every American must exercise that right to vote.

Participle Phrase verb form that can be used as an adjective Verbal may end in –ing or –ed. Removing his coat, Jack rushed to the river bank. Jack, removing his coat, rushed to the river bank. Style Academy Video

Gerund Phrase verb form ending in –ing that is used as a noun (subject or object) Walking is a healthful exercise. Saying you are sorry often includes writing a thank-you letter. QUICK TIP: Don’t confuse the –ing ending with a participle. Both can end in –ing, but one acts as an adjective (participle) and the other as a noun (gerund) Listening carefully, James needed to ask the doctor for more information without crying.