Phrases
Prepositional phrases begin with a preposition and end with a noun or
pronoun; they function as an adverb or adjective.
adv (where?)
The rat ran (through the log).
adj (which one?)
My house is the one (with pink brick).
adv (celebrated when?)
(After the game), the team celebrated.
Verbal and verbal phrases include the verbal (a verb used as another part of
speech) any its modifiers and complements. Note the position and
punctuation of the phrases.
1) Participle: present (-ing) or past (-ed,-d,-t -n) participial form of the
verb used as an adjective.
(Running down the left field line), Sergio broke open to receive a pass and to
score a goal.
(Exhausted from the heat), the team faded in the second half.
The vase, broken in two pieces, is unsalvageable.
2) Infinitive: to + verb
s
adj
v
The candidate (to carry the election) is decidedly Senator John Feldman.
s (noun)
v
(To tell Tom) is to tell the world.
S
V
adv
Sam runs (to maintain his weight).
3) Gerund: a verb ending in –ing used as a noun:
s v
Selling is often very difficult.
AV
DO
Mr. Carter enjoys selling cars.
LV
PN
Ms. Moore’s business is ensuring people and their property.
op
Taylor looked at many homes (before selecting the beach bungalow).
Placing Modifiers
Place and punctuate a modifying phrase so that your meaning is clear. In
general, place a phrase near the word that it modifies and place commas
around it if it is nonessential.
Notice that the position of the phrase changes the meaning of the sentence.
The man from Jamaica showed pictures to the class.
The man showed pictures from Jamaica to the class.
The man showed pictures to the class from Jamaica.
Our first History of Civilization I test, for which I studied all weekend, was
challenging. (The phrase is not essential to identifying which test was taken;
therefore, it does require commas.)
The man beside the piano is Sam’s brother Steve. (The phrase is necessary
to clarify which man is Sam’s brother; therefore, commas are not needed.)
Incorrect:
Having been born in Nevada Territory in 1863, Samuel Clemens became a
famous writer. Explanation: Do not write a non sequitur (“it does not
follow”).”The statement Having been born in Nevada Territory in 1863 has
no logical connection with Samuel Clements becoming a famous writer. The
ideas from the phrase and the dependent clause could be used in separate
sentences.
Correct:
Samuel Clemens was born in Nevada Territory in 1863. He became a
famous writer.
Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
Incorrect:
Flying over New York City, the Empire State Building could be seen.
(Dangling participle- Who is flying over the city?)
To correct the sentence, change from passive to active voice and supply a
subject.
Correct:
Flying over New York City, we could see the Empire State Building.
Incorrect:
To play an entire match of tennis, good physical condition is required.
(Dangling infinitive)
Correct:
To play an entire match of tennis, one must be in good physical condition.
Incorrect:
By using a good recipe, delicious lasagna can be made by anyone.
(Dangling gerund phrase and passive voice)
Correct:
By using a good recipe, anyone can make delicious lasagna.
Using Prepositions Correctly
1) Use between when referring to two people or things or if only two of a
group are considered at a time. Use among in referring to more than two
persons or things.
Let us keep the recipe just between you and me. What is the
difference between a Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Macerate?
The five roommates got along well among themselves.
2) Use to is an infinitive; and is a conjunction.
Incorrect:
Try and be nice to your younger brothers.
Correct
Try to be nice to your younger brothers.
3) Of is a preposition; have is a verb.
Incorrect
Frank should of done his homework. If I had of studied, I would have done
better.
Correct
Frank should have done his homework. If I had studied, I would have done
better.
4) Except is a preposition, which means excluding; accept is a verb which to
receive.
Everyone except Tom scored a basket during the game.
Did you accept his apology?
5) Do not omit necessary prepositions.
Incorrect
I have respect and confidence in our student body president.
Correct
I have great respect for and confidence in our student body president.
6) Do not end a sentence in a preposition.
Incorrect
Who do you want to go with? (incorrect)
Correct
With whom do you want to go?