Grammar: Phrases

1. Grammar: Phrases Ms. Mitchell Freshman Composition

2. A group of related words that is used as a singular part of speech. • It does not contain both a subject and a verb. • Most phrases act as modifiers (like adjectives and adverbs) What are phrases?

3. Starts with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (object of the preposition). • There may be additional modifiers inside to describe the noun or pronoun that ends the phrase. Prepositional Phrases

4. I enjoy walking to school. • My best friend came to the movies with me. • During the film, my popcorn spilled on my lap. • I smelled like butter all day. Ex) Prepositional Phrases

5. Adjectival Adverb Modify a verb, adjective, or adverb Answer how, when, where, why, and to what extent. Barbara answered her cell with a smile. They walked across the park. By Friday, you will have a test on this material. Jane is good at tennis but better at soccer. • Modify noun or pronoun • Here is a letter from your Aunt Mildred. • The dog in the yard with the fence keeps barking. • The airports in Chicago and New York are extremely crowded. • The light in the kitchen is broken. Types of Prepositional Phrases

6. The next types of phrases are formed from words called verbals. • These words look like verbs, but are NOT used as verbs. • They can be used as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. • There are three types: • Participle, • Gerund, and • Infinitive. Verbals and Verb Phrases

7. A Participle is a verbal that is used as an adjective. • The verbal can have either present (ing) or past tense (ed, t, d, en) endings. • Whatever the ending, the verbal functions as an adjective. Participles and Participial Phrases

8. We saw the waddling raccoon in our yard. • We ran inside to get out of the pouring rain. • Watching the clock, our coach started to worry. • Waxed floors can be slippery. • I gave my family framed pictures of us for the holiday. • Peeled and sliced cucumbers taste delicious in a salad. Ex) Participles and Participial Phrases

9. Participial phrases usually start with the present or past participle and include any modifiers that follow (like prepositional phrases). Participles and Participial Phrases

10. Swinging too high, the child fell off the swing set. • She heard me sighing loudly, so she canceled the meeting. • Living in NYC, Amy never needs a car. Ex) Participles and Participial Phrases

11. A Gerund is a verbal that is used as a noun. • The gerund can ONLY end in ING, and it is always used as a noun. • Gerund phrases usually start with the gerund and include any modifiers that follow (like prepositional phrases). Gerunds and Gerund Phrases

12. Swimming is my favorite avocation. • We are flying to Greece so that I can participate in swimming. • The dancing was so fun that I lost track of the time. • Sailing around the world is one of my lifelong goals. • Another goal I have is climbing Mt. Everest. • Circling the airport, our pilot was preparing for landing on the long runway. Ex) Gerund Phrases

13. An infinitive is a verbal that can be used as a noun, and adjective, or an adverb. • Most infinitives begin with “to”. • Infinitive phrases usually start with the infinitive and include any modifiers that follow (like prepositional phrases) Infinitive Phrases

14. To fly is a glorious feeling. • The place to see in California is San Francisco. • To visit my family in India would be a real treat. • To make something for dinner quickly is a difficult task. • Chris is the player to watch in the next football game. • You will be excited to finish this grammar unit. Ex) Infinitive Phrases

15. Appositives and appositive phrases are not verbals. • They are nouns or pronouns placed beside another noun or pronoun in order to identify or describe the word preceding it. • The sculptor Jane Embry is quite famous. • Eric, a talented musician, plans to study in Europe Appositives and Appositive Phrases

16. The Appositive phrase usually follows the word it is modifying and includes additional words or modifiers of its own. • Often, the appositive phrase is placed inside two commas because it interrupts the flow of the sentence. • However, this interruption is sometimes important when you are trying to introduce a character in an essay. Appositives

17. Grendel, the famous monster from the epic poem Beowulf, is described as a demon. • My teacher, the one with the long brown hair, loves grammar. Ex) Appositives

18. Prepositions: p444-448 ex 2, 3, and Rev C • Gerunds: p450-456, ex 4, 6, 8, and Rev E • Infinitives: p459-461, ex 11 and Rev G • Appositives: p462-463, ex 12 and Rev H Further Work