(Expanding simple sentences into complex sentences). Phrases and Clauses (Expanding simple sentences into complex sentences).

Phrases – a group of words that lacks a subject, a verb, or both.

Prepositional Preposition – a word used to show the relationship of a noun or pronoun to some other word in the sentence. Common prepositions: about, above, across, around, at, before, between, by, concerning, during, except, for, from, in, into, of, over, since, through, to, toward, under, until, up, upon, with, within. Def. – A prepositional phrase is a group of words beginning with a preposition and usually ending with a noun or pronoun. Examples – at the lake; inside the house; under the sea; along the path Rule of thumb – Prepositional phrases do not stand by themselves; they are parts of a sentence and are used as modifiers (a modifier is a word or phrase that describes or makes more definite), sometimes as adjectives and at other times as adverbs. [An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or a pronoun; ex. That tall building with the red tower is our new library.] [An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb; ex. Louisa May Alcott wrote with great care.]

Strategy #1: Combine sentences by using prepositional phrases. Not Combined: Handlers can usually train dogs. Training is in basic obedience. Training takes about eight weeks. Combined: Handlers can usually train dogs in basic obedience in about eight weeks. (prepositional phrases in bold)

Participial phrases Participle – a word that is formed from a verb and used as an adjective; ex. The talking students were asked to be quiet. The cheering fans waited for their team to arrive. Def. – A participial phrase is a phrase containing a participle and any complements (complement - one or more words in the predicate that complete the meaning of the subject and verb) or modifiers it may have. A predicate is the part of the sentence that says something about the subject [i.e. the verb and those words that follow; ex. John (subject) walks by the road (predicate).] Examples – Nodding his head, the student agreed with the teacher. Holding her breath, the cheerleader waited for the results. Disturbed by his letter, she called him on the phone.

Strategy #2: Combine sentences using participial phrases. Not Combined: Handlers and dogs work together. This strengthens the bond between pet and master. Combined: Handlers and dogs work together, strengthening the bond between pet and master. (participial phrase in bold)

Appositive phrases Appositive – a noun or pronoun that follows another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it. Ex. Her sister Nancy was a year older. My favorite dog Sherman ran away from home. Def. – An appositive phrase is made up of an appositive and its modifiers. Examples – We drove through Tallahassee, the capital of Florida. George Washington, the first president of America, was a great military leader.

Strategy #3: Combine sentences by using appositive phrases. Not Combined: A training collar helps the handler correct the dog. It is the handler’s most important tool. Combined: A training collar, the handler’s most important tool, helps correct the dog. (appositive phrase in bold)

Other Phrases

Gerunds A verb form ending in –ing that is used as a noun. Ex. Jogging can be good exercise. A gerund phrase includes the gerund and all the words related to the gerund. Ex. Shouting at people does not make them understand you better.

Infinitive A verb from that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. It has the word to directly before the plain form of the verb. Examples: To forgive does not always mean to forget. (used as a noun) The best time to visit the north is in the summer. (used as an adjective) They were eager to try. (used as an adverb) An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive together with its complements and modifiers. Ex. To lift those weights takes a lot of strength.