Definition: A phrase is a group of words that lack a subject and a predicate.

1. English Language Phrases Definition: A phrase is a group of words that lack a subject and a predicate. Depending on the type of phrase, each one has a specific function within a sentence: the functions are Adj.Adv. And N. To help determine adj. and adv. functions, remember that writers place modifiers close to what they modify: Adjective phrases modify nouns and pronouns; adverb phrases modify verbs. If an ing-form-of-a-verb phrase or an infinitive phrase is placed in any of the following positions, its function is Noun: The Most Common Noun Positions Subject Direct Object Predicate Noun Object of the Preposition (not for Inf.)

2. Common Phrases • Phrase TypePhrase Function • Prepositional ADJ. or ADV. • Verbals • GerundN. • InfinitiveADJ., ADV., or N. • Participle ADJ. • A. Present (ing) • B. Past (d or ed for regular verbs) • Appositive Identifies or clarifies a N • Absolute Modifies the rest of the sentence

3. Examples of prepositional phrases in sentences Adj. Adj. Mr. Gordon is the mayor of the city of Phoenix Adj. Adj. The monitor for my Mac came in a box from California. Adv. The frantic woman ran under the bridge to escape. Adv. The student came to the next prepositional phrase and labeled it Adv.

4. Verbal phrases: A verbal phrase is formed from a verb The three verbals are gerund, infinitive, and participle A gerund is an ing form of a verb used in a N position. Examples of gerund phrases: Reading the history book is enjoyable. N--Subject Bill enjoys reading the history book. N--Direct object Bill’s task is reading the history book. N--Predicate noun Bill is tired of reading the history book. N--Object of the preposition

5. Verbal phrases continued: An infinitive is formed by putting “to” in front of any dictionary form of a verb: to sleep, to write, to run, etc. The infinitive phrase may function as Adj., Adv., or N The teacher gave Tom a book to read later today. Inf--Adj Lynnette listened to hear the wind blowing in the trees. Inf-adv To contact the professor is not that difficult. Inf--N (subject)

6. Verbal phrases continued The participle has both an ing ending for its present form and a d or ed ending for its past form, regular verbs It always functions as an adj. Running to the house, Amy became very tired. modifies Amy William, writing his essay, was having trouble with grammar. modifies William Tied together, the trees could withstand the storm. modifies trees Irregular verbs show a spelling change for the past participle Eaten completely by the rabbits, the plant had to be removed. modifies plant (click the irregular verbs link for more help)

7. The appositive phrase is always placed next to a noun that it clarifies, identifies, or defines; it is most often set off with a comma or commas. The English professor, a man who enjoys teaching, came to SCC in 1975. He listened intently to the President’s speech, a very concise plan for the ailing economy A very good student, Jim made the Dean’s list each semester.

8. The absolute phrase modifies the entire independent clause of which it is a part always set off with a comma or commas. The rain having stopped, we started back to Pinetop. The two players signed autographs, their faces beaming happily. Jim’s friends--theirfaces covered inash--were fortunately not hurt.