Name: ______________________
Period: __________
Syntax, or the structure of our sentences, can often be moved around. In
order to move around the structure of a sentence, it is important to know
how to identify and punctuate phrases. Phrases clarify meaning and add
information to your writing by describing the subject, action, or other
nouns in the sentence.
You might be wondering…What is the deeper meaning of syntax?
Well,
syntax
refers to the arrangement of words and the order of
grammatical elements in a sentence or the way in which words are put
together to make meaningful elements, such as phrases, clauses, and
sentences.
PART ONE: Gerund, Participial and Infinitive Phrases
First, lets start by defining each type of verbal and phrase!
Gerund: A
gerund
is a verbal that ends in –ing and functions as a
noun.
A gerund phrase also functions as a noun with modifiers.
Example: Traveling to Asia
Participial: A
participial
or
Arriving tomorrow
is a verbal most often used as an adjective
ending in –ing or –ed.
A participial phrase modifies a noun or pronoun.
Name: ______________________
Period: __________
Example: The toy dangling off the sofa caught Archie’s
attention.
Infinitive: An
base form
infinitive
is a verbal consisting of the word to and the
of a verb.
An infinitive phrase includes an infinitive and its
modifiers.
Example: Jerome wanted to go right away.
Directions: For each type of phrase listed below, create two original
sentences and underline the corresponding phrase.
GERUND PHRASE:
1.
2.
PARTICIPIAL PHRASE:
1.
Name: ______________________
Period: __________
2.
INFINITIVE PHRASE:
1.
2.
NOTES:
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PART TWO: Prepositional and Appositive Phrases
As authors, we strive to compose cohesive and meaningful sentences in
our writing. To do so,
phrases
prepositional and appositive
provide information that helps us combine sentences instead
of sticking with
simple, choppy ones.
How are Prepositional and Appositive Phrases
than Gerund, Infinitive or Participial Phrases?
different
Here are
Name: ______________________
Period: __________
the basics.
APPOSITIVES: An
or explains
appositive
is a noun or pronoun that identifies
another noun or pronoun.
Appositive Phrase: An appositive phrase usually follows
the word it
explains or identifies, but it may also come before it.
Example: A state known for its cold climate, Alaska is
closer to the
North Pole than to Texas.
PREPOSITIONS: A
place, and
preposition
is used to express time, express
introduce the objects of verbs. Prepositions are
words that show
the relationship between the noun or pronoun and
some other
word in the sentence.
Prepositional Phrase: A prepositional phrase is
introduced by a
preposition and usually acts as an adjective or
adverb.
Example: The book on the left is the one to read if
you are
working on the report assigned in class.
Name: ______________________
Period: __________
Directions: For each type of phrase listed below, create two sentences
and underline the corresponding phrase.
APPOSITIVE PHRASE:
1.
2.
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE:
1.
Name: ______________________
Period: __________
2.
NOTES:
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