1. Q: What is a Phrase? A: A phrase is a group of related words that does not contain a subject nor a verb. Common phrases include prepositional phrases, infinitive phrases, participial phrases, and gerund phrases.

2. Prepositional Phrases They are a group of words in a sentence that act as a single part of speech. No matter how long a prepositional phrase is or how many different parts of speech it contains, a prepositional phrase in a sentence always acts as if it were a one- word adjective or adverb.

3. Prepositional Phrases Examples: near airports (used as an adjective because it describes were the subject is located) near busy urban airports (just made it longer…but it’s still an adjective) near busy urban highways and airports (even longer!)

4. Infinitive Phrases verbsInfinitives are verbs that can be used as a noun, adjective, or an adverb. Put them into a group of words within a sentence that mean the same thing, then walla! you have an infinitive phrase.

5. Infinitive Phrases Examples: It is not polite to listen through the keyhole. “Listen through the keyhole” is acting like a noun. You can rely on me to run extremely fast. (adjective) To drive up the hill was impossible. (adverb)

6. Participle Phrases verb formsParticiples are verb forms with two basic uses: helping verbs and adjectives. Present participles usually end in “ ing ” and past participles usually end in “ ed ”.

7. Participle Phrases Examples: The teacher, speaking slowly, explained the use of deadly animals to intimidate students. The esteemed student, honored by the award, was given loads of cash by his parents. Gripping the pen, I began to write my essay.

8. Q: What is a Clause? A: A clause is a group of related words that contains a subject, verb, and complete thought. Two types of clauses are independent clauses and dependent clauses.

9. Q: What is an Independent Clause? A: An independent clause is a group of related words containing a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. Thus, it can stand alone.

10. Independent Clause Example: The air vibrated. (subject, verb) In the morning, students were asleep in class. (subject, verb) The guitar player, who was extremely talented, played one solo with his teeth. (subject, verb)

11. Q: What is a Dependent Clause? A: A dependent clause is a group of related words containing a subject and a verb; it does not, however, contain a complete thought. Thus, it cannot stand alone.

12. Dependent Clause Example: …while the band practiced in the garage. (subject, verb) …after she performed her solo. (subject, verb) The lights focused on her as she sang an danced. When the rain comes down hard, all little animals seek shelter.

13. Q: What is a Transition? A: A transition links one idea with another. The following is a list of common transitional expressions: afterwardfirstin summary againfor exampleon the other hand alsoin addition next as a resultin fact then earlier in the meantime therefore

14. Transition Example: My hand burned as a result of brilliant idea to stir boiling-hot water with it. It hurt like a thousand sharp needles, but on the other hand it looked interesting. My bike was found next to the garbage dump.

15. Q: What is an Appositive? A: An appositive renames a noun or a pronoun. Appositives appear immediately following the word they rename.

16. Appositive Example: J.K. Rowling, a British novelist, wrote the Harry Potter series. A typhoon, a powerful Pacific Ocean hurricane, struck the fleet of ships.