More on Phrases: prepositional, verbal and appositive
Holt Handbook, Chapter 3: The Phrase (64-85)
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. Example: for you and her (no subject or verb).
Contrast with the definition of a clause: A group of words that has both a subject and a
verb.
There are three different types of phrases: prepositional, verbal and appositive.
WRITING TIP: Using too many short sentences will make your writing choppy. By
using some phrases, you can vary your sentence structure.
Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases include a preposition (see subject sheet for a list of commonly
used prepositions), the object of a preposition (noun/ pronoun), and any modifiers of that
object. Prepositional phrases can either be used as adjectives (modifying nouns or
pronouns) or adverbs (modifying verbs, adjectives or other adverbs).
A preposition tells how words are related in a sentence (65).
Example: To me a koala looks like a cuddly teddy bear.
Note: DO NOT confuse prepositional phrases beginning with to – as in to me or to
Australia – with an infinitive phrase such as to be or to learn.
Hint: The word to + a noun or pronoun is a prepositional phrase, not an infinitive.
Verbals
Verbals are formed from verbs and are used as adjectives, nouns, or adverbs. There are
three types of verbals: infinitives, gerunds and participles. A verbal phrase consists of a
verbal and its modifiers and complements (70).
Infinitive phrases consisit of an infinitive and any modifiers or complements the
infinitive has. The entire phrase can be used as a noun, adjective or adverb (78).
An infinitive is a verb form that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Most
infinitives begin with to.
Example: To hit a curve ball solidly is very difficult.
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Hint: Sometimes to, the sign of an infinitive, is omitted. Example: He will help us paddle
the canoe.
Note: Unlike other verbals, an infinitive may have a subject. An infinitive clause consists
of an infinitive with a subject and any modifiers or complements the infinitive has. The
entire infinitive clause functions as a noun.
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Gerund phrases consist of a gerund and any modifiers or complements the gerund has.
The entire phrase is used as a noun (76).
A gerund is a verb form that ends in –ing and that is used as a noun.
Example: Reading adventures is my favorite hobby.
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Note: Gerunds, like present participles, end in –ing. DO NOT confuse a gerund, which is
used as a noun, with a present participle, which may be used as adjective or as part of a
verb phrase.
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Participial phrases consist of a participle and any modifiers or complements the
participle has. The entire phrase is used as adjective (71).
A participle is a verb form that can be used as adjective. Present participles end in –ing
while past participles end in –d or –ed. Example: For dinner we prepared grilled salmon.
Some may be formed irregularly. Example: For years the treasure remained hidden under
tons of rock.
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Note: Do not confuse a participle used as an adjective with a participle used as part of a
verb phrase.
Note: When placed at the beginning of a sentence, a participial phrase is followed by a
comma.
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Appositives
An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and any modifiers it has. Example: The
Millers live on Mockingbird Lane, a wide street lined with oak trees (81).
An appositive is a noun or pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify
or describe it. Example: My cousin Bryan is my best friend.
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Hint: An appositive phrase usually follows the noun or pronoun it identifies or describes.
Sometimes, though, it precedes the noun or pronoun.
Note: Appositives and appositive phrases that are not essential to the meaning of a
sentence are set off by commas. However, an appositive that tells which one of two or
more is essential to the meaning of a sentence and should not be set off commas.
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