{ Grammar: Phrases Ms. Mitchell Freshman Composition

 A group of related words that is used as a singular part of speech.  It does not contain both a subject and a verb.  Most phrases act as modifiers (like adjectives and adverbs) What are phrases?

  Starts with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (object of the preposition).   There may be additional modifiers inside to describe the noun or pronoun that ends the phrase. Prepositional Phrases

  I enjoy walking to school.   My best friend came to the movies with me.   During the film, my popcorn spilled on my lap.   I smelled like butter all day. Ex) Prepositional Phrases

{{ Adjectival  Modify noun or pronoun  Here is a letter from your Aunt Mildred.  The dog in the yard with the fence keeps barking.  The airports in Chicago and New York are extremely crowded.  The light in the kitchen is broken. Adverb  Modify a verb, adjective, or adverb  Answer how, when, where, why, and to what extent.  Barbara answered her cell with a smile.  They walked across the park.  By Friday, you will have a test on this material.  Jane is good at tennis but better at soccer. Types of Prepositional Phrases

  The next types of phrases are formed from words called verbals.   These words look like verbs, but are NOT used as verbs.   They can be used as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.   There are three types:   Participle,   Gerund, and   Infinitive. Verbals and Verb Phrases

  A Participle is a verbal that is used as an adjective.   The verbal can have either present (ing) or past tense (ed, t, d, en) endings.   Whatever the ending, the verbal functions as an adjective. Participles and Participial Phrases

  We saw the waddling raccoon in our yard.   We ran inside to get out of the pouring rain.   Watching the clock, our coach started to worry.   Waxed floors can be slippery.   I gave my family framed pictures of us for the holiday.   Peeled and sliced cucumbers taste delicious in a salad. Ex) Participles and Participial Phrases

  Participial phrases usually start with the present or past participle and include any modifiers that follow (like prepositional phrases). Participles and Participial Phrases

  Swinging too high, the child fell off the swing set.   She heard me sighing loudly, so she canceled the meeting.   Living in NYC, Amy never needs a car. Ex) Participles and Participial Phrases

  A Gerund is a verbal that is used as a noun.   The gerund can ONLY end in ING, and it is always used as a noun.   Gerund phrases usually start with the gerund and include any modifiers that follow (like prepositional phrases). Gerunds and Gerund Phrases

  Swimming is my favorite avocation.   We are flying to Greece so that I can participate in swimming.   The dancing was so fun that I lost track of the time.   Sailing around the world is one of my lifelong goals.   Another goal I have is climbing Mt. Everest.   Circling the airport, our pilot was preparing for landing on the long runway. Ex) Gerund Phrases

  An infinitive is a verbal that can be used as a noun, and adjective, or an adverb.   Most infinitives begin with “to”.   Infinitive phrases usually start with the infinitive and include any modifiers that follow (like prepositional phrases) Infinitive Phrases

  To fly is a glorious feeling.   The place to see in California is San Francisco.   To visit my family in India would be a real treat.   To make something for dinner quickly is a difficult task.   Chris is the player to watch in the next football game.   You will be excited to finish this grammar unit. Ex) Infinitive Phrases

  Appositives and appositive phrases are not verbals.   They are nouns or pronouns placed beside another noun or pronoun in order to identify or describe the word preceding it.   The sculptor Jane Embry is quite famous.   Eric, a talented musician, plans to study in Europe Appositives and Appositive Phrases

  The Appositive phrase usually follows the word it is modifying and includes additional words or modifiers of its own.   Often, the appositive phrase is placed inside two commas because it interrupts the flow of the sentence.   However, this interruption is sometimes important when you are trying to introduce a character in an essay. Appositives

  Grendel, the famous monster from the epic poem Beowulf, is described as a demon.   My teacher, the one with the long brown hair, loves grammar. Ex) Appositives

 Prepositions: p ex 2, 3, and Rev C  Gerunds:  Gerunds: p , ex 4, 6, 8, and Rev E  Infinitives: p , ex 11 and Rev G  Appositives: p , ex 12 and Rev H Further Work