“Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: You find the present tense and the past perfect.” -Unknown

*Remember verb phrases? is coming, might have been Phrase: a group of related words that is used as a single part of speech and that does not contain both a verb and its subject *Remember verb phrases? is coming, might have been

Phrases Kinds of phrases: prepositional phrases (adjective phrases, adverb phrases) verbal phrases participial phrases gerund phrases Infinitives appositive phrases if a group of words contains both a verb and its subject, it is called a clause (we’ll get to these later)

A prepositional phrase includes a preposition, the object of the preposition, and any modifiers of that object Common prepositions: about above across after against along among around at before behind below beneath between beyond by down during except for from in inside into like near of off on onto out outside over since through till to toward up upon until with within without

Some Examples: *at the Jacksons’ house *instead of them *over the icy gray river *through the spooky woods *to old grandmother’s house

The noun or pronoun in a prepositional phrase is called the object of the preposition. Do not be misled by a modifier coming after the noun or pronoun in a prepositional phrase. The noun or pronoun is still the object. Objects of the preposition may be compound. A prepositional phrase can modify the object of another preposition. A prepositional phrase can contain another prepositional phrase. Sometimes a prepositional phrase is combined with a noun to form a compound noun.

Some More Examples: Heidi and Mrs. Kolp went to the polls today. On the plaza, a guitarist sang for Brett and Logan. Next to the door of the old barn stood two horses. Meet us at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Adjective Phrases A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or a pronoun is called an adjective phrase. unlike a one word adjective which usually precedes the word it modifies, an adjective phrase almost always follows the noun or pronoun it modifies. more than one adjective phrase can modify the same word. an adjective phrase may also modify the object of another prepositional phrase.

Some Examples: The members of the club wanted sweatshirts with the club emblem. Amy closed the cellar door. Amy closed the door to the cellar. Here’s a letter for you from Aunt Martha. The horse in the trailer with the busted latch broke loose.

Adverb Phrases Adverb phrase – a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adverb, or adjective

Some Examples: Kristin exercises before a meet. Angie exercise with care. Brittany exercises in the gym. Ashley exercise to her capacity. Rachel exercises for her health. Steve was true to his word. David threw the ball far to his left. Tony, is the water warm enough for swimming? Jesse is good at tennis, but better at volleyball. Before noon the race started. The race started before noon.