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Unit 2 - Prepositional PhrasesThe unit’s big question:How do I add specifics through prepositional phrases?

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All of the hard punctuation rules are easy if you know how to spot phrases and clauses. Words in sentences clump together in phrases and clauses.What is a phrase?A phrase is a group of words that acts like a single part of speech.Can you find the phrase in this sentence:The lion is the king of the jungle.The lion is the king of the jungle.“of the jungle” acts like an adjective modifying what?The lion is the king of the jungle.The most famous phrase is the prepositional phrase.A prepositional phrase often tells when or where someone or something acts.

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Example:She hit the ball over the fence in the bottom of the tenth inning.She hit the ball over the fence in the bottom of the tenth inning.Which prepositional phrase tells where someone did something? Which tells when?Some common prepositions: at, before, for, from, in, of, to, under, with.Draw a heart around the preposition in each prepositional phrase on page 5 in sentences 1 - 4.Underline the prepositional phrases on page 5 in sentences 1 through 4.

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Where is/are the prepositional phrase/phrases in the following sentence?At the beginning of the jump a person feels a rush of emotions.At the beginning of the jump a person feels a rush of emotions.Where would you put a comma?At the beginning of the jump, a person feels a rush of emotions.Rule #1: Use a comma after two prepositional phrases that start a sentence.

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What is the rule for the following examples, though?(Both are correctly punctuated!)At the time, I couldn’t decide on whom to marry.About him I have nothing to say.Rule #2: Use a comma after one prepositional phrase that starts a sentence only if you hear a natural pause after it.Underline the prepositional phrases on page 5, sentences 15 - 18.Draw a heart around the prepositions in each prepositional phrase in sentences 15 - 18.Using rules 1 & 2, punctuate sentences 15 - 18.

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Complete the writing practice worksheet for Unit 2.

In your journal, write the unit’s big question:How do I add specifics through prepositional phrases?

Write a journal entry (1) addressing this question and (2) discussing how the unit can help your writing, and (3) describing what you’re still unclear on and what you’d like to learn more about.

This ends unit 2.