Phrases
Definition of a phrase: a group of words, with no subject and
verb, that acts as one part of speech within a sentence.
Types of phrases:
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Verb phrase
Prepositional phrase
Infinitive phrase
Appositive phrase
Gerund phrase
Participial phrase
A verb phrase contains one or more helping verbs + a main verb.
The verb phrase will always end with the main verb.
Examples: has been working, might consider, was singing
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A prepositional phrase contains a preposition (the first word) + a
noun or pronoun. The only parts of speech that may occur
between the preposition and the noun/pronoun are modifiers,
such as adjectives and adverbs.
Examples: in the snow, around town, beneath the clear water
*A preposition may not be used alone anywhere in the sentence.
A preposition must always be part of a full prepositional phrase.
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An infinitive is the combination of the word “to” + the base form
of a verb. For example, “to go” is an infinitive. An infinitive
phrase is an infinitive + any words that connect to, or are
associated with, the infinitive. The infinitive phrase will always
begin with the infinitive.
Examples: to go shopping, to eat a hamburger, to buy a puppy
An appositive phrase is an appositive + any words that connect
to, or are associated with, the actual appositive. The appositive
phrase will begin with either the noun/pronoun serving as the
appositive OR a combination of adjectives/adverbs describing the
appositive.
Examples: My home, a small house on a hill in the country, is blue.
(The appositive phrase is italicized; “house” is the appositive)
My favorite book, a novel entitled The Giver, is wonderful!
(The appositive phrase is italicized; “novel” is the appositive)
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A gerund is an action word that serves as a noun. A gerund
phrase is a gerund + any words that connect to, or are associated
with, the actual gerund. The only difference between a gerund
and a “regular” noun is that one “looks” like a verb but functions
as a regular noun.
Example: I love bowling with my friends.
(The gerund phrase is italicized. “Bowling” is the gerund because
it functions as a “thing” I like to do, but it also shows action. If a
word in a sentence shows action but does not serve as the actual
verb of the sentence, then it may be a gerund! The entire gerund
phrase serves as a noun telling what I like!
Because a gerund/gerund phrase functions as a noun, then it can
do any of the six sentence function jobs that nouns/pronouns can
do! How does the gerund in the previous sentence function??
HINT: Think of the entire phrase as ONE noun, and then try to
label the function.
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A participle is an action word that serves as an adjective. A
participial phrase is a participle + any words that connect to, or
are associated with, the actual participle. The only difference
between a participle and a “regular” adjective is that one “looks”
like a verb but functions as a regular adjective. A participial
phrase will always begin with a participle.
Example: The girl talking to the children is the new babysitter.
(The phrase “talking to the children” acts as an adjective
modifying “girl.”)
Driving slowly, the teenager obeyed all traffic rules. (The phrase
“driving slowly” is acting as an adjective modifying “teenager.”)
The new drinking fountain is shiny! (The word “drinking” is a
participle. It does not include a full phrase.)
Those are all the types of phrases!!
Do you see phrases in the following sentences? Label them!
Studying the field of research allows one to understand the
process.
Working diligently on group methodologies, the students will learn
about credible design.
Dr. Huff, the instructor, loves reading research articles about
interesting topics.
If one gives researching his best attempts, he will soon find that
he appreciates his new skills!
Understanding that, one can see the value in reading research.
One’s main goal, however, should be to become an effective
consumer of educational research.