Phrases
•A phrase is a group of related
words that functions as a single
part of speech.
•A phrase does not have a subject
or a verb.
I. Prepositional Phrases
• Begins with a preposition and ends
with a noun or pronoun
• There are two types of prepositional
phrases
I. Prepositional Phrases
1. Adjective Phrases
• A prepositional phrase used to
modify a noun or a pronoun
I. Prepositional Phrases
• Adjective Phrase Example
Single
Adjective
Did you see the shuttle
launch?
Adjective
Phrase
Did you see the launch of the
shuttle?
I. Prepositional Phrases
• A single adjective and an adjective
phrase answer the same questions:
Which ones? and What kind?
Which
one(s)?
Did you read the article about
the space shuttle?
What
Kind?
The launch was the first since
the Challenger disaster.
I. Prepositional Phrases
• An adjective phrase usually modifies
the noun or pronoun directly in front
of it. Occasionally, that word will be
the object of the preposition of
another phrase.
Standard The new part for the shuttle
has been installed.
Object of Some of the controls in the
P.P.
cockpit had been damaged.
I. Prepositional Phrases
2. Adverb Phrases
• An prepositional phrase used to
modify a verb, an adjective, or an
adverb
I. Prepositional Phrases
• Adverb Phrase Example:
Single
Adverbs
The space shuttle soared
upward.
Adverb
Phrases
The space shuttle soared into
the stratosphere.
I. Prepositional Phrases
• A single adverb and an adverb
phrase answer the same questions:
Where? When? How? To What
Extent? and To What Degree.
I. Prepositional Phrases
Where? The Chinese government is building
a dam across the Yangtze River.
When?
How?
Why?
During the last ten years, many
people have protested the building
of this dam.
The construction of the dam
continues at great expense.
(Because) of the annual floods,
the Chinese government feels the
dam is justified.
I. Prepositional Phrases
• An adverb phrase modifies the whole
verb phrase
• More than one adverb phrase can
modify the same verb
Example:
Before long, large ships will move up
the dammed river.
I. Prepositional Phrases
• Although most adverb phrases
modify verbs, some modify
adjectives and adverbs.
Modifying
an
Adjective
Modifying
an Adverb
Not everyone was happy with
the plan.
The effects of the dam will be
felt far across China.
I. Prepositional Phrases
•
Adverb Phrase Punctuation
1. No comma: With their help we finished
early. (less than four words)
2. Comma: According to the latest news
release, butter is better for you than
margarine. (four or more words)
3. Comma: In 1879, Dr. Sylvester Graham
invented graham crackers. (ends with a
date)