Phrase
Review
2014
A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and
ends with a noun or pronoun called the object of the
preposition.
See list of prepositions you were given earlier in the
semester.
Prepositional phrases function as either adjectives or
adverbs in sentences.
Are the following prepositional phrases adjectives or
adverbs?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Did you see the launch of the shuttle?
During the last century, China changed.
The people were happy with the leaders.
The people from the museum helped gladly.
At noon the villagers will arrive for the celebration.
Punctuation Reminder: If a short adverbial phrase comes
at the beginning of a sentence, usually no comma is needed.
You should, however, place a comma after an adverbial
phrase of four or more words, after several introductory
phrases,or after a phrase that ends with a date.
Phrase
Review
2014
A appositive phrase is a noun or pronoun that
identifies or explains another noun or pronoun next to it
in a sentence along with its modifiers.
Find the appositive and appositive phrases in each sentence
and the word or words it modifies.
1. Lincoln’s first home, a log cabin in Kentucky, was located
in Larue, Kentucky.
2. As the underdog in the 1858 senatorial campaign, Lincoln
debated his opponent, Stephen Douglas.
3. Lincoln, a virtual unknown, was able to win the presidency
in 1860.
4. Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a radical,
in April of 1865.
Punctuation Reminder: If the information in an appositive is
essential to the meaning of the sentence, no commas are
needed. The information is usually essential if it names a
specific person, place or thing. A comma is needed before
and after an appositive phrase if the information is not
essential to the meaning of the sentence.
For EXAMPLE:
The stage actor John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln.
John Wilkes Booth, the stage actor, shot Lincoln.
Phrase
Review
2014
A participial phrase is a participle (a verb form used as an
adjective) with its modifiers and complements all working
together as an ADJECTIVE. Present participles end in –ING.
Past participles end in –ED. (There are exceptions!)
Find the participial phrases in the following sentences and
the nouns they modify.
1. Having studied for my geography test, I headed for
school.
2. The test, given by Mr. Stephens, will be difficult.
3. Studying for the test, I learned many interesting facts.
4. Requiring heavy rainfall, tea does not grow well in dry
regions.
5. Hungry sailors shipwrecked off the coast of Maine
invented clam chowder.
6. I found a textbook packed with information for my test.
Punctuation Reminder: Always place a comma after an
introductory participial phrase. If the information in an
internal phrase is essential, no commas are needed.
Information is essential if it identifies a person, place, or
thing.
For EXAMPLE:
The person talking to the teacher is my dad.
Pete Jons, talking to the teacher, is my friend.
Phrase
Review
2014
A gerund phrase is a gerund (verb form that is used as a
noun) with its modifiers and complements all working
together as a NOUN. Gerunds ALWAYS end in ING.
Underline the gerund phrases in the following sentences and
write its function (as a noun). Noun functions are subject,
direct object, indirect object, predicate nominative, object of
the preposition, appositive.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
My sister and I share an unusual interest, studying insects.
She has learned many things by observing ants.
I enjoyed accompanying her on her nature walks.
My job is bringing along cameras and recording devices.
We both like learning all about insects.
A flea is capable of jumping thirteen inches in one leap.
Lifting things ten times their own weight is no problem
for some ants.
Punctuation Reminder: Notice that because GERUNDS ONLY
FUNCTION AS NOUNS, they are punctuated the same way
any noun would be.
Phrase
Review
2014
An infinitive phrase is an infinitive (an infinitive begins with
the word to) with its modifiers and complements all working
together as a noun, adjective or an adverb.
Because an infinitive begins with the word to, it is sometimes
confused with a prepositional phrase. The infinitive is to
followed by a verb, the prepositional phrase is to followed by
a noun. Keep in mind that occasionally the word to in an
infinitive is omitted (or understood) in the sentence.
Underline the infinitive phrases in the following sentences
and write whether it is used as a noun, adverb, or adjective. If
it’s a noun, write its function.
1. As an actor, Bob had to learn many lines.
2. It took him about three weeks to memorize his part.
3. Actors seem to prefer the company of other actors.
4. We did not dare interrupt him.
5. Directors are known to demand long hours from casts.
6. From the middle of the balcony, we were unable to hear
the actors.
7. To project his voice, an actor learns to breathe differently.
Punctuation Reminder: Because infinitives act as adverbs and
adjectives, if they are introductory, they should be followed
commas.
Phrase
Review
2014
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
A phrase that is used as an ADJECTIVE or ADVERB (modifier)
should be placed as closely as possible to the word it
modifies.
A modifier that is placed too far away from the noun it
modifies is a MISPLACED modifier.
For example - Rick saw two owls camping on Camp Greylock.
A modifier that is used but does not describe any word in the
SENTENCE is a DANGLING modifier.
For example - Hurrying from store to store, it was easy to lose
track of time.
If a sentence contains a Misplaced Modifier, write MM. If it
contains a dangling modifier, label it DM. If the sentence is
correct label it C.
1. We saw a graceful willow tree strolling around the lake.
2. Sailing into the harbor, we had our first glimpse of the
campground.
3. That’s my mother’s camper parked at the dock with the
red upholstery.