Phrases Prepositions and Appositives

Phrases A group of related words Examples: sitting at home lost in thought seared by the heat

Prepositions A preposition is a word that shows a relationship of a noun or pronoun to some other word in the sentence. (Space and Time) Common single –word prepositions: Aboard Above After Against Behind Beneath Between Concerning Except For Through Till Upon With What is the relationship of the monkeys to the barrel?

Prepositional Phrases Prepositional phrases consist of a preposition followed by its object, called the object of the preposition. Prepositional phrases are always modifiers.

Prepositional Phrases If they modify a noun they are adjective phrases. The book on the shelf should go back to the library. The time before dawn is always the darkest. The present for Jerry will be a surprise.

Prepositional Phrases If they modify verbs, predicate adjectives, or other adverbs they are called adverb phrases. They had classes in astronomy at my high school. The unloaded the truck after dinner. They left early because of the heat. We cleaned the tools by hand. I have worked here for years. I am happy with my job. An adverb phrase answers the questions where, when, why or how.

Appositive A noun that follows another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it. Her son, the actor, lives in New York now. Dr. Goldhord, a member, addressed the organization.

Appositive Phrases An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and its modifiers. It is a noun phrase that renames or identifies another noun. Appositive phrases are normally set off with commas. Emma, the only child in her class to have no cavities, smiled proudly. The Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy’s old enemy, attacked the scarecrow.

Verbal Phrases Gerunds, Infinitives, and Participles – Oh My! Wizard Of Oz

Verbals Words that look like verbs, but act like other types of words.

Gerunds Gerunds are verbals that function as nouns and have an –ing ending. Because gerunds function as nouns, they occupy slots traditionally held by nouns in sentences such as subjects, direct objects, and objects of prepositions. Gerunds may occur as one word, or they may be part of a Gerund phrase.

Gerunds Gerund, functioning as subject : Reading is my most beneficial summer activity. Gerund, functioning as direct object: James enjoys swimming. Gerund, functioning as object of preposition: You will get good grades by studying.

Gerunds Gerund phrase, functioning as subject Eating on the run is one of the most unhealthy American habits. Gerund phrase, functioning as direct object: The teacher simply cannot excuse sleeping during class.

Gerunds Gerund phrase, functioning as object of preposition: We found the keys by looking on the ground next to the car. To determine whether a word in a sentence is a gerund, look at the word(s) ending in –ing in the sentence. If this word can be replaced by the pronoun it, then the word is a gerund. If the word it replaces other words in addition to the gerund, then these make up the gerund phrase (Lester 177). My grandfather loves getting together at Christmas. My grandfather loves it. Note: This test, explained by Mark Lester in Grammar and Usage in the Classroom.

Participles Participles are verbals that usually function as adjectives and occasionally function as adverbs. Participles generally end with an –ed or –ing ending. When participles function as adjectives, they are usually found preceding the nouns and pronouns in a sentence. When participles function as adverbs, they are typically found following the verb in a sentence

Participles There are two types of participles: present participles and past participles. Present participles have an –ing ending. Past participles may have one of several past tense endings, including –ed, -en, and -d. As with gerunds, participles may occur as one word, or they may be part of a participial phrase.

Participles Present participles The running water provided a picturesque view. The clown was able to stop the raging bull from attacking the rider. Past participles The crushed bug was an unpleasant sight. He was able to repair the broken lock.

Participles Present participial phrases The car stopping at the light was hit by the truck. The bull came running towards the rodeo clown. Past participial phrases James, amused by the crowd’s response, continued to perform magic tricks. Shaken from his near-death experience, John was unable to speak.

Participles Pronoun replacement test: If you can replace the noun and the following present or past participle/phrase with a single pronoun then the attached words are participles/phrases. EX: The reporters covering the accident interviewed the chief of police. They interviewed the chief of police.

Infinitives Infinitives are verbals that are made up of the word to and a verb. Infinitives may function as nouns, adjectives or adverbs. When infinitives function as adjectives and adverbs, they are usually found preceding nouns and pronouns in sentences. When they function as nouns, they are used as subjects, direct objects and objects of prepositions.

Infinitives Infinitives (to + verb) should not be confused with prepositional phrases (to + noun or pronoun). Infinitives may occur as to + one verb, or they may be part of an infinitive phrase.

Infinitives Infinitives functioning as nouns To love is the greatest achievement. Infinitives functioning as adjectives Harry’s is a place to get good ice cream. Infinitives functioning as adverbs The students must pass the GHSGT test to graduate.

Infinitives Infinitive phrase functioning as noun: Ranee wanted to arrive at her destination. Infinitive phrase functioning as adjective: The Smiths were the first family in our neighborhood to adopt a child.

Infinitive Test to determine if an infinitive is functioning as an adverb: “If an infinitive or infinitive phrase can be moved to the beginning of the sentence, then that infinitive or infinitive phrase modifies the verb.” You must study hard to get good grades. To get good grades, you must study hard. Note: This test, explained by Mark Lester in Grammar and Usage in the Classroom.

Find the Infinitive Phrase in each sentence and determine if it is acting as a noun, adjective, or adverb. 1. To be objective in my decision is hard. 2. Does Joan have enough change to make a phone call? 3. Always try to proofread your paper before you turn it in. 4. Ellen is able to swim six lengths of the pool. 5. The Harlow twins came to play with my little brother.

Misplaced Modifiers One morning, I saw an elephant in my pajamas. Groucho Marx

Misplaced Modifiers Anthony screamed at the barking dog in his underwear.

Dangling Modifier While smoking a pipe, my cat curled up next to me.