Halloween Grammar Activity
Phrase: A phrase is group of related words that is used as a single part of
speech and that DOES NOT contain both a verb and its subject. There are 3
main types of phrases: Prepositional phrases (adverb & adjective), Verbal
Phrases (Participials, Gerunds, & Infinitives) and Appositive Phrases.
Reference your handbook, chapter 3, or your chapter 3 handout for further
explanation and examples of all the phrases.
Directions: Write an original Halloween greeting or a spooky sentence for
each type of phrase (6 total). Underline the phrase and circle the word being
modified for each sentence.
Example Prepositional Phrases
1. Adjectival Phrases: We carried our bags of candy around with
bright, sugar-coated smiles.
2. Adverbial Phrases: Under the full moon, he conveyed the details of the hookhanded man that tortured teenagers which transferred into terrified expressions
of anticipation on our faces.
Example Verbals
1. Participial Phrases (past or present): Floating around the sky like
ghosts spying on trick-or-treaters, the balloons set am ominous
mood for the evening.
2. Gerund Phrases (-ing): Scaring children on Halloween can be a
traumatizing experience.
3. Infinitive Phrases (to + verb): To trick-or-treat is to understand
Halloween.
Example Appositive Phrases (renaming noun or pronoun)
Halloween, a favorite holiday for most children, rewards children for
pretending to be someone else and memorizing the phrase “Trick or Treat!”