ACADEMIC SKILLS PROGRAM
STUDENT SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT
PHRASES
Answers
Highlight the phrase in each sentence below and then identify each type of phrase as a
prepositional phrase, a gerund phrase, an infinitive phrase, a verb phrase, an appositive phrase, or
an absolute phrase.
1. Upon my arrival, I whisked into a secret chamber.
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
2. According to Mr. Johnson, the principal of the school, the children are always well
behaved.
APPOSITIVE PHASE
3. I could have won the game, but I decided to let my younger cousin win.
VERB PHRASE
4. Talking with my sister made me realize how much I miss her.
GERUND PHRASE
5. I must sleep 8 hours every night in order to pay attention in class.
INFINITIVE PHRASE
6. The assignment complete, I could go to the party.
ABSOLUTE PHRASE
7. Eating all that cake made me want to exercise.
GERUND PHRASE
8. During dinner, Carlos, the messiest eater at the dinner table, spewed mashed potatoes all
over the table.
APOSITIVE PHRASE
9. A disastrous activity of long-haired people is blowing bubble gum bubbles.
GERUND PHRASE
10. The best way to survive the boring lecture is to bring some other homework to do as well.
INFINITIVE PHRASE
11. I am trying to decide if I’d rather go to medical school or law school.
VERB PHRASE
12. A hot tempered hockey player, Max is often in the penalty box.
APPOSITIVE PHRASE
13. The book on the deck is going to get wet.
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
14. I’d like to bake some cookies for my mother for her birthday.
VERB PHRASE
15. Her money on the line, Janet panicked.
ABSOLUTE PHRASE
16. Waiting for my clothes to dry, I completed my final assignment.
GERUND PHRASE
17. We decided to meet at our regular spot, the pub.
APPOSITIVE PHRASE
18. I locked my keys in the car.
PREPOSOTIONAL PHRASE
19. Eating fruit without washing it may make you sick.
GERUND PHRASE
20. The children, tired from playing all day, fell to sleep straight away.
ABSOLUTE PHRASE