The Phrase

The Phrase A phrase is a group of words that is used as a single part of speech and does not contain a verb and its subject Verb phrase: have been waiting (no subject) Prep Phrase: during the storm (no subject or verb) A group of words that has a subject and a verb is called a clause. Stay tuned for more info about clauses in our next unit.

Prepositional Phrases A prepositional phrase includes a preposition, a noun or a pronoun called the object of the preposition and any modifiers of that object Did officials of the Carnegie Museum recently unveil plans for a new exhibit. The compound noun “Carnegie Museum” is the object of the preposition “of.” The noun “exhibit” is the object of the preposition “for” According to Miss Lion, Frye boots are perfect to wear while walking on Caroline street. “Miss Lion” is the object of the preposition “According to” and “Caroline street” is the object of the preposition “on”

Prepositional Phrases The object of a preposition may be compound. On Saturdays and Sundays, I like to stay in my pajamas as long as possible. You’ll walk towards Prince Edward and Amelia St. Prepositional Phrases are usually used as adjectives or adverbs. Occasionally, a prep phrase is used as a noun. Before lunch will be convenient. Before lunch is used as a noun because it is the subject of the sentence.

The Adjective Phrase An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or a pronoun An adjective phrase tells: what kind or which one One of my friends is making a film about our senior year. “of my friends” modifies the pronoun “one” “about our senior year” modifies the noun “film” An adjective phrase always follows the word it modifies. That word may be the object of another preposition The film won’t include all of the students in our class. “of the students” modifies the DO all. “in our class” modifies students which is the object of the prep “of”

The Adjective Phrase More than one adjective phrase may modify the same word. Instead, it will relate the adventures of five students at school and in their neighborhood. “of five students” “at school” and “in their neighborhood” modify the noun adventures

The Adverb Phrase An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. It tells: how, when, where, why, or to what extent (how long/how far) After the early 800s, the Fujiwara family ruled as regents in Japan for more than 300 years. More than one adverb phrase can modify the same word. Also, an adverb phrase (unlike the adjective phrase) can precede the word it modifies

The Adverb Phrase An adverb phrase may modify an adjective Then the Kennedys, another family active in American politics, gained the presidency. “In American politics” modifies the adjective active An adverb phrase may modify an adverb Jack Kennedy was said to be too progressive for his own good. “for his own good” modifies progressive

Verbals and Verbal Phrases A verbal is a form of a verb used as a noun, adjective, or an adverb. Three kinds of verbals are: The participle The gerund The infinitive A verbal phrase consists of a verbal and its modifiers and complements. The three kinds of verbal phrases are: The participial phrase The gerund phrase The infinitive phrase

The Participle A participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective. Two kinds of participles are the present participle and the past participle. Present Participles end in –ing The freezing rain made the road slick. Bowing, the actor accepted the applause. Did I hear someone knocking on the door?

The Participle Past Participles end in –ed (although some are irregularly formed) For Christmas, Ms. Carpenter wanted an engraved necklace. Toxic water samples were taken from areas affected by hydraulic fracturing. Rested and relaxed, we returned to school. Because they are verbs, participles have different tenses. In addition to present and past forms, they also have a present perfect form. Ex: having gone, having been gone

The Participle Don’t confuse a participle used as an adjective with a participle used as part of a verb phrase. Adjective: Grove City College, founded in 1876, was where Ms. Carpenter completed her undergraduate degree. Verb Phrase: Grove City College was founded in 1876, and was where Ms. Carpenter completed her undergraduate degree.

The Participial Phrase A participial phrase consists of a participle and all of the words related to the participle They may be modified by adverbs and may also have complements Grinning broadly, Ms. Lion wore her Frye boots to school. Proclaiming his innocence, the student denied that he forgot to do his homework. Puzzled by her missing makeup brushes, Ms. Carpenter consulted Lola, the cat. Istanbul, formerly named Constantinople, is in Turkey.

The Participial Phrase In order to prevent confusion, place participial phrases as close as possible to the words that they modify. Misplaced: Stalking the squirrel, I saw the cat out in the yard. Improved: I saw the cat stalking the squirrel out in the yard.

The Gerund A gerund is a verb ending in –ing that is used as a noun Subject: Fishing requires great patience. Pred. Nom: Sally’s field is welding. DO: Please stop whispering. IDO: The team gave winning their best effort. OBofPrep: In answering, give specific examples.

The Gerund Don’t confuse a gerund with a present participle used as an adjective or as part of a verb phrase Gerund: I remember driving from Florida to Texas last fall. (DO of the verb remember.) Present Participle: Driving on long trips, we usually take turns behind the wheel. (adjective modifying the pronoun we) Present Participle: We heard mostly country music on the radio while we were driving. (main verb in the verb phrase were driving) When you use a noun or pronoun just before a gerund, use the possessive form. Elliot’s pitching won the game. What did the teacher say about your missing the test yesterday?

The Gerund Phrase A gerund phrase consists of a gerund and all of the words related to the gerund. Like participles, gerunds may have modifiers and complements. Managing the restaurant efficiently required lots of hard work. My cousin enjoys working as a lifeguard. We were fined for parking there. Her greatest achievement was winning a Pulitzer.

The Infinitive An infinitive is a verb form that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. An infinitive usually begins with to. Nouns: To leave now would be rude. (subject of would be) No one wants to stay. (DO of wants) Her goal is to win. (PN identifying the subject goal) Adjectives: She is the candidate to watch. (adj. modifying non candidate) The one to see is the class president. (adj. modifying the pronoun one) Adverbs: We came to cheer. (adverb modifying the verb came) Is everybody ready to go? (adverb modifying the adjective ready)

The Infinitive Don’t confuse an infinitive with a prepositional phrase beginning with to. Remember that a prepositional phrase ends with a noun or pronoun. Infinitives, like participles, have different tense forms. The preceding examples all contain present infinitives. To have seen Anderson Cooper would have pleased Ms. Carpenter. Todd was disappointed not to have been chosen. Infinitives To go To forget To graduate Prepositional Phrases To them To the party To everyone

The Infinitive Be careful, because sometimes the word to, the sign of the infinitive, is sometimes omitted. Let’s (to) wait here. The clowns made us (to) laugh. Help me (to) wash the car. Think of infinitives in other languages. For example: Jouer- to play Laver- to wash Manger- to eat

The Infinitive Phrase An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and all of the words related to the infinitive. They may have modifiers and complements To become a doctor is her goal. (the inf. Phrase is the subject of the verb is) They promised to return soon. (the inf. Phrase is the DO of the verb promised. The adverb soon modifies the infinitive to return) We have time to walk to the concert. (the infinitive phrase modifies the noun time. The adverb phrase to the concert modifies the infinitive to walk). It’s important to be prompt for an interview. (the infinitive phrase modifies the adjective important. The modifier prompt is the predicate adjective of the infinitive to be. The adverb phrase for an interview modifies the adjective prompt.)

The Infinitive Phrase Unlike other verbals, an infinitive may have a subject, such a construction is called an infinitive clause. Everyone expects Guadalupe to win the election. (Guadalupe is the subject of the infinitive to win. The entire infinitive clause is the DO of the verb expects) We asked her to lead the discussion. (Her is the subject of the infinitive to lead. The entire infinitive clause is the DO of the verb asked) I found everyone to be friendly. (Everyone is the subject of the infinitive to be. The entire infinitive clause is the DO of the verb found)

Appositives An appositive is a noun or pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it. An appositive usually follows the word it identifies or explains My cousin, Mackenzie, is an awesome tennis player. I bought some apple cider, my favorite fall drink, at the farmer’s market. For emphasis, however, an appositive may come at the beginning of a sentence. A natural leader, Jared Watson ruled over SCA with an iron fist.

Appositive Phrases An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and its modifiers. My best friend’s car, an olive colored jeep covered in dog hair, is the best when we have the top down. An appositive phrase usually follows the word it explains or identifies but may precede it. Once a pagan feast, Valentine’s Day is now celebrated as a day of love.