1. Activity 1.4 Language and Writer’s Craft: Syntax
SpringBoard 10th grade
Activity 1.4
Language and Writer’s Craft: Syntax

2. Do Now Copy the definition of SYNTAX into your Journal
It can be found in the margin on page 14
Turn to a partner and create a simple sentence which follows the syntax…
“Pronoun-verb-noun”
Ex. I drove home.
You cannot use any of the same words I did

3. Learning Targets
Identify different types of phrases and use them in writing
Revise writing to include phrases and parenthetical expressions

4. Verbal 3 types of verbals-
participles,
gerunds and
infinitives
Verbals are based on a verb, and therefore express an action or state of being, but they are NOT used as a verb in the sentence

5. Gerunds A gerund is a verbal that is used as a noun in a sentence
Usually formed by adding “-ing” to a verb
“read” can become “reading”
“Reading is fun.”- “Reading” is the subject of the sentence, and therefore used as a noun.

6. Participles
A participle is a verbal that is used as an adjective or adverb in a sentence
Usually ends in –ing (present participle) or –ed (past participle)
The verb “burn” can become “burning”
Ex. “The burning log fell off the fire.”- “burning” is modifying “log”, and therefore being used as an adjective.

7. Infinitives
An infinitive is a verbal that can be used as a noun, adjective or adverb in a sentence
It is formed by adding the word “to” before the basic form of the verb
The verb “run” becomes “to run”
Ex. “All of the kids wanted to run on the playground.”- “to run” functions as the direct object, noun, in this sentence.

8. Phrases Clarify meaning by CANNOT stand alone (not a sentence)
adding information, or
describing the subject, the action or other nouns
CANNOT stand alone (not a sentence)
Three types
Gerund phrase
Participial phrase
Infinitive phrase

9. Page 14 Read the sentence assigned to you and your partner
Identify the phrase or phrases by highlighting
Label each one as participial, gerund or infinitive
Share- be sure to mark the sentences you did not do

10. Page 15
With your partner, choose 3 of the sentences on page 14 and use them as models to write original sentences

11. Prepositional Phrases
Provide critical information that helps us combine sentences
Ex. My son takes World Cultures. They study Italian and Spanish.
My son studies Italian and Spanish in World Culture class.

12. Appositive Phrases
Provide critical information that helps us combine sentences
Note how the phrase is punctuated in the sentence
Ex. My dog loves to play in the water. She is a labrador retriever.
My dog, a labrador retriever, loves to play in the water.

13. Parenthetical Expressions
Used to add voice or comments to a sentence
Unlike Appositive phrases, they do not provide critical information
They often interrupt the flow of thought
Always separated from the rest of sentence by commas.
Ex. “The dog was getting into trouble, I imagine, when she was outside alone.”
“I have no doubt, however, that she had fun doing it.”

14. P15 -16 Read the sentences with your partner
Identify the appropriate type of phrase/expression
Label them
Using the sentences as a model, write your own sentences underneath.

15. QuickWrite or Homework
Revisit one of the pieces of writing you’ve done so far in your folder.
Find places in your writing where you can add 2 or 3 of the types of phrases you have learned in this lesson
Rewrite the piece and hand it in