Phrases

1. Phrases Composition

2. Goals: Using prepositions in writing Do not end sentences on prepositions. Reduce strings of prepositional phrases. Begin sentences with prepositional phrases to vary sentence beginnings.

3. Prepositional Phrases • A prepositional phrase is a group of words beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun. • Prepositions are words that show relationships: • beneath the tree • above her desk • around the corner • according to the book • as a result of the experiment • Prep. phrases can be removed and the sentence will still make sense.

4. Objects of Prepositions • Prepositional phrases MUST end with a noun or pronoun, which is called the object of the preposition. • NO: Waterford is the city I live in. • YES: Waterford is the city in which I live. • YES: I live in Waterford.

5. Adjective Prep. Phrases • An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. • Adjectives tell which one or what kind. Examples • That tall building with the red tower is our new library. • The painting below the plaque is a Monet.

6. Adverb Prep. Phrase • An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. • Adverbs tell how, when, where, to what extent/degree. Examples • Louisa May Alcott wrote with great care. • I always walk along the river. • The old manor was rich in traditions. • Thomas Hardy wrote poetry late in life.

7. Placement of Prep Phrases • When you combine sentences using prep. phrases, be sure to place an adjective phrase close to the noun or pronoun it modifies. • The cat with the fluffy tail chased the girl. • The cat chased the girl with the fluffy tail. • Prepositional phrases that modify verbs can appear anywhere in the sentence. • Brett phoned his father during third period. • During third period, Brett phoned his father.

8. Commas With Prep Phrases • When used to introduce a sentence, the prepositional phrase is set off by commas • EX: During 4th hour, my stomach started to growl • When used within a sentence, do NOT set off the phrase using commas. • EX: My stomach started to growl during 4th hour.

9. Reducing Wordiness with Prep Phrases • Reduce strings of prepositional phrases in sentences. • Turn adjective prep. phrases into adjectives. • NO: That house is on the corner by the gas station. • YES: That corner house is located by the gas station. • Turn adverb prep phrases into adverbs. • We will go to the game after it ends. • We will go to the game later.

10. Reducing Wordiness Cont’d • Reduce compound prep phrases into single prepositions. • NO: Learning to write will open a whole new world with reference to career opportunities. • YES: Learning to write will open a whole new world of career opportunities.

11. Goal: Using appositives in writing Use appositives to combine short, choppy sentences.

12. Appositives • An appositive is a noun or pronoun that follows another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it. • An appositive phrase is made up of an appositive and its modifiers. • Appositive phrases do not begin with verbs. • Tip: Commas often signal appositive phrases. • Tip: Check for names. • Examples • Her brother Bill called for her. • We visited Boston harbor, the site of the Boston Tea Party. • George Washington, our first President, was a great military leader.

13. Using Appositive Phrases • Combine sentences using appositives when one sentence gives information describing a noun or pronoun in the other sentence. • Appositives must be next to the noun or pronoun it renames. • Do not start with a verb. • I spent my evening on the boardwalk. The boardwalk is a type of sidewalk. • I spent my evening on the boardwalk, a type of sidewalk.

14. Goal: Using Participles in Writing Use participles to combine short, choppy sentences. Begin sentences with participial phrases to vary sentence beginnings.

15. Verbals: Participles • Verbals are formed from verbs, but are not used as verbs in a sentence. PARTICIPLES • A participle is a verb form (verbal) that can be used as an adjective. There are two forms of participles: present participles and past participles. • Participles, because they are adjectives, can be taken out of the sentence (the sentence will still make sense). • Present Participle • Ex: The skiddingcar stopped just in time. • Past Participle • Ex: The pleasedaudience gave a standing ovation.

16. Participial Phrase • A participial phrase is a phrase containing a participle and any complements or modifiers it may have. • Tip: Participial phrases end at the next punctuation mark, the next verb, or the noun it describes. • Examples • Ex: Nodding his head, the defendant acknowledged his guilt. • Ex: Convinced by his family, he submitted his book for publication.

17. Using Participials • To form a participial phrase, combine sentences: • Begin the phrase/sentence with a verb (past or present). • Complete the phrase. • Follow the phrase with a comma. • Follow the comma with a noun or pronoun (one that the phrase describes). • Complete the rest of the sentence. • Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the sentence and makes sense. • Be sure the phrase can be removed from the sentence.

18. Goal: Using Gerunds in Writing Use gerunds to combine short, choppy sentences. Begin sentences with gerund phrases to vary sentence beginnings.

19. Verbals: Gerunds • A gerund is a word ending in –ing that is formed from a verb and is used as a noun. • Gerunds can be subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, and objects of prepositions. • EXAMPLES • Reading is fun. (subject) • She loves dancing. (direct object) • He gave studying his attention. (indirect object) • My hobby is shopping. (predicate nominate) • I sometimes dream about flying. (object of preposition)

20. Gerund Phrases • A gerund phrase (the gerund and any modifiers or complements it may have) functions as a noun. • Tips: • Gerunds can not be taken out of the sentence (the sentence won’t make sense without it). • Commas are not used to set off gerunds. • Generally, gerund phrases end at the next punctuation mark or the next verb. Examples • Boiling an egg properly is not easy for me. (subject) • The manager admitted sending the order. (direct object) • The judge warned him about telling lies. (object of preposition)

21. Gerund or Participle? • Gerunds and participles look similar because both are formed from verbs and may end the same (-ing). • How can you tell the difference? • Gerunds CAN NOT be taken out. • Participles CAN be taken out.

22. Using Gerunds • To create a gerund: • Begin the sentence (or phrase) with a verb ending in –ing. • Complete the phrase. • Follow the phrase with a verb (no comma). • Complete the rest of the sentence. • Make sure that the phrase can not be removed from the sentence. • Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the sentence and makes sense.

23. Goal: Using Infinitives in Writing Use infinitives to combine short, choppy sentences. Begin sentences with infinitive phrases to vary sentence beginnings.

24. Verbals: Infinitives • An infinitive is a verb form, usually preceded by to, that can be used as a noun (person, place, thing) or a modifier (adjective or adverb). • to dance • to sing

25. Infinitive Phrases • An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and any complements or modifiers it may have. • Tip: Infinitives end at the next verb or punctuation mark. • Tip: Ask what/where after the infinitive to locate the rest of the phrase. • To go to the store, you will need my car. • You will need to walk slowly on icy sidewalks. • Note: Don’t split infinitives by inserting a word between “to” and the verb. • Incorrect: To boldly go where no man has gone before. • Correct: To go boldly where no man has gone before.

26. Using Infinitives • To create an infinitive: • Start the phrase (or sentence) with the word to and follow it with a verb. • Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the sentence and makes sense.