Chapter 14: Phrases 14a. What’s a phrase? 14b. Prepositional Phrase 14c. Adjective Phrase 14d. Adverb Phrase Verbals & Verbal Phrases 14e. Participle 14f. Participial Phrase 14g. Gerund 14h. Gerund Phrase 14i. Infinitive 14j. Infinitive Phrase 14k. Appositive 14l. Appositive Phrase

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14a. What is a phrase? A phrase is a group of related words

that is used as a single part of speech and that does not contain both a verb and its subject.

Side Note: A clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb.

14b. Prepositional Phrases A prepositional phrase is a

preposition, the object of the preposition, and any modifiers of that object.• EX: A koala is a marsupial, a mammal with an external abdominal pouch.

• Koalas, along with several other marsupials, are native to Australia.

Note: Don’t confuse prepositional phrase beginning with “to” with an infinitive (to be or to learn).

14c. Adjective Phrases A prepositional phrase that modifies

a noun or a pronoun is called an adjective phrase.

An adjective phrase tells what kind or which one. • EX: We ordered a dish of salsa and a basket of tortilla chips.

• EX: The picture of their candidate in today’s newspaper is not at all flattering.

14d. Adverb Phrases A prepositional phrase that modifies

a verb, adjective, or an adverb is called an adverb phrase. • EX: The mole burrowed under the lawn.

• EX: The child speaks quite clearly for a two-year-old.

Adverb phrases tell: when, where, why, how, or to what extent (how much, how long, or how far).

Verbals and Verbal Phrases.

Verbals: formed from verbs and are used as adjectives, nouns, or adverbs. The three kinds of verbals are participle, the gerund, and the infinitive.

Verbal Phrases: consists of a verbal and its modifiers and complements.

14e. Participle A verb form that can be used as an adjective

• EX: What is the temperature of the boiling water?

Present participles end in –ing.• EX: The smiling graduates posed for the

photographer.

Most past participles end in –d or –ed. Some are formed irregularly. • EX: For dinner we prepared grilled salmon,

baked potatoes, and tossed salad.

14f. Participial Phrase Consists of a participle and any modifiers

or complements the participle has. The entire phrase is used as an adjective. • EX: Climbing the tree, the monkey disappeared into the branches.

• EX: We watched the storm blowing eastward.

• EX: Voted back into office, the mayor thanked her supporters.

14g. Gerund A verb form that ends in –ing and

that is used as a noun.• EX: Reading will improve your vocabulary.

• EX: One popular sport is swimming.

• EX: Both Dad and Mom enjoy cooking together.

14h. Gerund Phrase Consists of any modifiers or

complements the gerund has. The entire phrase is used as a noun. • EX: The sudden shattering of glass broke the silence.

• EX: She enjoys hiking in the mountains occasionally.

14i. Infinitive A verb form that can be used as a noun, an

adjective, or an adverb. Most infinitives begin with “to”. • EX: His dream is to travel.

• EX: She is the one to ask.

• EX: Grandmother is coming to visit.

NOTE: The word “to” plus a noun or a pronoun= a prepositional phrase, not an infinitive.

14j. Infinitive Phrase Consists of an infinitive and any modifiers or

complements the infinitive has. The entire phrase can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.• EX: To hit a curveball solidly is very difficult.

• EX: She wants to study marine biology.

• EX: His efforts to trace his ancestry led to greater appreciation of his heritage.

• EX: I found his explanation difficult to accept.

14k. Appositives A noun or pronoun placed beside

another noun or pronoun to identify or describe it.• EX: My cousin Brian is my best friend.

• EX: Sal, a cautious driver, has never had an automobile accident.

14l. Appositive Phrases Consists of an appositive and any

modifiers it has• EX: The Smiths live on Milner Lane, a wide street lined with beech trees.

• EX: Mount Kosciusko, a part of the Australian Alps, is the highest peak in Australia.