Clauses
Traditionally a clause is defined as a group of related words that has both a subject and a verb. In
attempting to identify clauses, they are often contrasted with phrases, which do not have a
subject and verb.
Phrases
A phrase is a group of related words that lacks both a subject and a verb. Because it lacks a
subject and a predicate it cannot act as a sentence.
A phrase typically functions as a single part of speech in a sentence (e.g., noun, adjective,
adverb).
There are four types of phrases:
1. Prepositional phrases, which begin with a preposition and include the object of the
preposition.
2. Participial phrases (verbals), which begin with the participle and include the object of the
participle or other words that are connected to the noun by the participle.
3. Gerund phrases (verbals), which begin with the gerund and include the object of the gerund
or other words that are acting as the complete subject or complete object.
4. Infinitive phrases (verbals), which begin with an infinitive (to) and include the object of the
infinitive or other words that are acting as part of the phrase.
5. Appositives phrases, which is a word, phrase or clause that means the same thing as (i.e.,
synonym) or further explains another noun (pronoun).
◦Non-restrictive appositives are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
◦Restrictive appositives are essential to the meaning of the sentence.
1. Marta fell over the cat.
a. infinitive phrase b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
2. Pretending to be asleep, the hiker escaped the bear.
a. infinitive phrase b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
3. Susan Sarandon, a famous actress, has been very supportive of the striking workers.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
4. To finish the marathon in less than five hours is Tom's goal.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
5. She preferred eating at the local deli for lunch.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
6. He should discover a gift certificate for dinner at Cafe Sofia under his seat at the table.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
7. After learning the parts of speech, the class began studying punctuation.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
8. The candidate elected by the voters promised to put "a chicken in every pot."
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
9. Will someone be here soon to open the door?
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
10. Delivering the pizza on time became his single mission.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
11. The woman who led the workshop used to be a math teacher.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
12. Frustrated with the delays, Erin tried to break her dog out of quarantine.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
13. Tom visited India while studying the history of Indian art.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
14. While she looked behind the house, the rest of us searched the local parks for the puppy.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
15. Tom Hanks, star of "Philadelphia, will be appearing in a new film this holiday season.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
16. Before putting too much effort into the project, maybe you should get some guidance from your boss.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
17. The car that Devon sold to the dealership has been wrecked twice.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
18. Does the captain want us to lower the sails before we enter the harbor?
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
19. She liked the shirt given to her by her grandmother.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
20. Did you really think that robbing a bank would solve your problems?
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
21. Samuel hid her present behind the dresser.
a. infinitive phrase b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
22.The sun rising gloriously in the sky inspired the visitors to the ancient temple.
a. infinitive phrase b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
23. The Rock, Nick's favorite wrestler, will certainly win tonight's match.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
24. Clyde plans to meet his family on the other side of the mall.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
25. Does Rick plan on attending every game that the Ducks play next year?
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
26. Did Bill go to the meeting without his briefcase.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
27. Before reaching the summit, the climbers quit.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
28. Driven by her need to be perfect, Gertrude always did well in her classes.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
29. David decided to close the back door before a raccoon sneaked in.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
30. The team hopes that practicing a new offense this week will improve its chances of winning.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
31. The bull that charged the car has hurt people before.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
32. The student, bored by the lecture, drew pictures in her notebook.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
33. Before the race, the sprinter put a lucky penny in his sock.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase
d. prepositional phrase
34. After we do these chores, maybe we should go to a movie.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
35. His dog, a miniature schnauzer, chases away any birds or squirrels that come into the yard.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
36. After making a hole in one, Ed decided he should quit golfing.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
37. Marvin's friend who drove him to the party left without him.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
38. Will has not wanted to play his saxophone since the last recital.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
e. clause
f. participial phrase
39. The coffee tasted like mud mixed with motor oil.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase
40. They want to try jumping from an airplane without a parachute.
a. infinitive phrase
b. appositive
c. gerund phrase d. prepositional phrase