Phrases (missing a subject or verb) – prepositional, verbal, & appositive
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PHRASES
Phrase- 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 (NOTE: if a group of words contains both a verb and
its subject, it is called a clause)
I.
Prepositional Phrases - includes a preposition, the object of the preposition,
and any modifiers of that object.
EX:

to the pool
at the Jackson’s house
instead of them
Preposition: a word that shows the relationship of a noun or a pronoun to
another word. (see p.28 in grammar book)
Prepositions
aboard
about
above
across
after
against
along
amid
among
around
as
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
besides
between
beyond
but
(meaning
except)
by
concerning
down
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into
like
near
of
off
on
onto
out
outside
over
past
since
through
throughout
till
to
toward
under
underneath
until
up
upon
with
within
without
Compound prepositions
according to
as of
aside from
because of
by means of
in addition to
in front of
in place of
in spite of
instead of
next to
on account of
out of
prior to
1. Adjective Phrases – a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun
EX:
Amy closed the door to the cellar.
The horse in the trailer with the rusted latch broke loose.
Please hand me the book on the table.
2. Adverb Phrases – a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or
an adverb
EX:
Britney answered with a smile.
They sailed across the lake yesterday.
By Wednesday Christopher will be finished.
Phrases (missing a subject or verb) – prepositional, verbal, & appositive
II.
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Verbals & Verbal Phrases – Verbals are formed from verbs. Like verbs,
they may have modifiers and complements. However, verbals are used as nouns,
adjectives, or adverbs, not as verbs. The three kinds of verbals are participles,
gerunds, and infinitives.
1. Participial Phrases – used as an adjective; consists of a participle and any
complements or modifiers the participle has.
EX: Seeing the car, the dog barked loudly.
The cat hissed at the dog barking loudly in the yard next door.
The first skyscraper constructed on a metal frame was built there
during this period

Participle – a verb form that can be used as an adjective (present and past)
EX: We saw the raccoon escaping through the back door.
Waxed floors can be dangerously slippery.
.
2. Gerund Phrases – used as a noun; consists of a gerund and any modifiers or
complements the gerund has
EX: The gentle pattering of the rain was a welcome sound.
My dog’s favorite game is bringing me the newspaper.
I feared skiing down the mountain alone.

Gerund – a verb form ending in –ing that is used as a noun (Like other nouns,
gerunds are used as subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, indirect
objects, and objects of prepositions.)
EX: The dancing was fun.
My favorite part of the show was his juggling.
Circling the runway, the pilot was preparing for landing.
3. Infinitive Phrases – used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb; consists of an
infinitive and any modifiers or complements the infinitive has
EX: To make tamales quickly was hard.
Chris is the player to watch in the next game.
We are eager to finish this project.

Infinitive – a verb form that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an
adverb. Most infinitives begin with to.
EX: Brandon wanted to work on the play (as a noun).
The place to visit is Williamsburg (as an adjective).
Sabina jumped to look (as an adverb).
Phrases (missing a subject or verb) – prepositional, verbal, & appositive
III.
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Appositives & Appositive Phrases – consists of an appositive and any
modifiers it has
Appositive phrase – consists of an appositive and any modifiers it has
EX: Lucy Sanchez, my longtime friend from my old neighborhood,
has a new Scottish terrier.
Dr. Jackson has a degree in entomology, the scientific study of
insects.

Appositive: a noun or a pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to
identify or describe it.
EX: The sculptor Isamu Noguchi has designed sculpture gardens.
Eric, a talented musician, plans to study in Europe.
Those, the ones on the right, are on sale.