1. Phrases Definition: a group of words not containing a verb and its subject that is used as a single part of speech.

2. Prepositional Phrases Definition: a group of words beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or a pronoun called the object of the preposition. Prepositional phrases function as adjectives or adverbs. Ex. The rivers of New Guinea are popular areas for rafting enthusiasts. Sentence Openers: During the movie, I cried like a baby. Sub.-Verb Split: I during the movie cried like a baby. Sentence Closer: I cried nonstop during the movie.

3. Participles and Participial Phrases Definition: A verb form that acts as an adjective. It modifies a noun or a pronoun. Present Participle ends in ing Past Participle ends in ed Ex. The car screeched down the twisting road. Sentence Openers: Struggling to make it, the car pulled into the service station. Sub.-Verb Split: Many students having equal experience tried out for the squad. Sentence Closer: The sun rose clear and bright, tinging the foamy crests of the waves with a reddish purple.

4. Gerunds and Gerund Phrases Definition: a verb form ending in -ing that is used as a noun. Note:Nouns function as subjects, direct and indirect objects, predicate nouns, and objects of the preposition. Sentence Openers: The dog's loud barking made it difficult to hear the television. Sub.-Verb Split: My hobbies, recycling and reading, keep me busy. Sentence Closer: Her greatest hope was finding her long lost sister.

5. Appositives and Appositive Phrases Definition: a noun or pronoun placed next to another noun or pronoun to further identify it. An appositive phrase is usually not essential to the sentence. Sentence Opener: One of eleven brothers and sisters, Harriet was a moody, willful child. Sub.-Verb Split: My father, a celebrated war veteran, is proud of his many years of experience. Sentence Closers: The boy looked at them, big black ugly insects.

6. Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases Definition: a verb form usually preceded by the word to. In this case, to is not a preposition, but a part of the infinitive verb form. An infinitive can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Ex. To prepare follow these simple steps. Sentence Openers: To win is their ambition. (noun/subject of the sentence) Sub.-Verb Split: A few letters to mail remain in the outbox. (adjective modifying letters. Sentence Closer: The formulas in math are difficult to remember. (adverb)