Phrases

Phrases

0A phrase is a group of words without both a subject and a verb.

0Examples:0After the movie, we ate dinner.

0 I like walking dogs.

Verb Phrases0Verb phrases function as verbs. In order to be a verb

phrase, the verb must be made up of a main verb and one helping verb.

0 I could eat a second lunch.0She must have jumped across the stream.

Appositive Phrase0An appositive renames another noun. When it adds

information that is nonessential, it’s set off by commas.

0Mrs. Raines, my principal, works here.0Trevon, my best friend, sits on the other side of the

room.0Esther, my sister with dark hair, sang a song.

Gerund Phrases

0Gerund Phrases function as nouns and always end in –ing.

0Rachel loves dancing at homecoming.

0 I like swimming in lakes.

Your Turn

Phrases: Day 2

0Review: Phrases are groups of words that do not contain both a subject and a verb. Collectively, the words in the phrases function as a single part of speech.

Prepositional Phrase0 These can function as adjectives or adverbs.

0 Adjective Prepositional Phrase These tell which one, what kind, how many, how much, or give other information about a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase/clause.The school around the corner is painted red. (Which school?)

The girl with blue hair is angry.

Adverb Prepositional PhraseThese tell how, when , where, why, to what extent, or under what condition about a verb, an adjective, an adverb or adverb phrase/clause.Nolan is writing her paper with the help of her friends. (How?)Joe is coloring outside of the lines. (Where is he coloring?)

Infinitive Phrase

0 Infinitive Phrase– the word “to” plus a verb.0These can function as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.

0To dance gracefully is my ambition. (noun-subject)0Her plan to become a millionaire is ridiculous.

(adjective-describes the plan)0 John went to college to study Engineering.

(adverb-tells why he went)

Participial Phrase

0Participial Phrase—a verb form (past or present) functioning like an adjective.

0Blinded by the light, Sarah walked on stage.

0Swimming for his life, Josh fought the undertow.

Absolute Phrase0Absolute Phrase—a group of words that modify the whole

sentence rather than a part of it. They are always set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma or dashes because they are parenthetical elements .

0Helpful hint: An absolute phrase is an independent clause without out the was or were.

0Their minds whirling from all the information provided by the teacher, the students walked to their lockers.

0The two players hustled on the court, their faces dripping with sweat, their footsteps squeaking, and their arms flailing.

Your Turn