Let’s Here Some Praise Let’s Here Some Praise for da’ Phrase!for da’ Phrase!

The Five Different Types of The Five Different Types of PhrasesPhrases

Ok, I think I can identify a phrase, but Ok, I think I can identify a phrase, but exactly is it?exactly is it?

-A phrase is a group of words not -A phrase is a group of words not containing a verb and its subject. containing a verb and its subject. A A phrase is used as a single part of phrase is used as a single part of speech.speech.

We will explore the fabulous and We will explore the fabulous and exciting world of five different types exciting world of five different types of phrases:of phrases:

*prepositional phrases*prepositional phrases*participial phrases*participial phrases*gerund phrases*gerund phrases*infinitive phrases*infinitive phrases*appositive phrases*appositive phrases

-Let’s start with the most familiar -Let’s start with the most familiar terminology shall we?terminology shall we?

--PREPOSITIONAL PHRASEPREPOSITIONAL PHRASE--A prepositional phrase is a group of --A prepositional phrase is a group of

words beginning with a preposition words beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun.and ending with a noun or pronoun.

In the dark roomIn the dark room over the riverover the river

Through the woodsThrough the woods

--The noun or pronoun that concludes the --The noun or pronoun that concludes the prepositional phrase is the prepositional phrase is the object of the object of the preposition preposition that begins the phrase.that begins the phrase.

--Prepositional phrases are usually used --Prepositional phrases are usually used as modifiers—as adjectives or adverbs as modifiers—as adjectives or adverbs (function over form thing!). Occasionally, (function over form thing!). Occasionally, a prepositional phrase is used as a noun.a prepositional phrase is used as a noun.

Before I am old would be a good time Before I am old would be a good time for Orlando Bloom to fall in love with for Orlando Bloom to fall in love with me.me.

Thank God I fell on top of the fat guy! Thank God I fell on top of the fat guy! He padded my fall!He padded my fall!

The object of my affection is my The object of my affection is my boyfriend of five years.boyfriend of five years.

THE ADJECTIVE PHRASE!!THE ADJECTIVE PHRASE!!

Don’t we know this one already?Don’t we know this one already?-Yes!!-Yes!!-An adjective phrase is a -An adjective phrase is a

prepositional phrase that modifies a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun.noun or pronoun.

The pain in my head is unbearable.The pain in my head is unbearable.

THE ADVERB PHRASE!!THE ADVERB PHRASE!!

-We know this one too!-We know this one too!-An adverb phrase is a prepositional -An adverb phrase is a prepositional

phrase that modifies a verb, an phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. (Here we adjective, or another adverb. (Here we keep the original definition of adverb)keep the original definition of adverb)

She bathes She bathes with great carewith great care. (How she . (How she bathes)bathes)

The student was not true The student was not true to his wordto his word. . He flung the booger far He flung the booger far across the across the

roomroom..

VERBAL PHRASESVERBAL PHRASES

-These are less common than the -These are less common than the prepositional phrase, but still useful. prepositional phrase, but still useful. There are three kinds: There are three kinds: participial phrases, participial phrases, gerund phrases, and infinitive phrases.gerund phrases, and infinitive phrases.

-Why do you think these are called verbal -Why do you think these are called verbal phrases?phrases?

-They are called verbals because the -They are called verbals because the most important word in them is a verbal. most important word in them is a verbal.

Ok. What the heck is a verbal?Ok. What the heck is a verbal?-A verbal is formed from a verb; they -A verbal is formed from a verb; they

express action, have modifiers, and express action, have modifiers, and can be followed by comlements. can be followed by comlements. HOWEVER, verbals do not HOWEVER, verbals do not function function as as verbs in a sentence. They function verbs in a sentence. They function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

THE PARTICIPIAL AND THE PARTICIPIAL AND PARTICIPIAL PHRASEPARTICIPIAL PHRASE

A participial is a verb form that can be A participial is a verb form that can be used as an adjective.used as an adjective.

A rapidly A rapidly developingdeveloping storm was storm was brewing in the waters off Florida, brewing in the waters off Florida, ready to hit at any time.ready to hit at any time.

-Two kinds of participles:-Two kinds of participles: Present and past: Present Present and past: Present

participles end in –ing, past participles participles end in –ing, past participles may end in –ed, -d, -t, -en, or –n.may end in –ed, -d, -t, -en, or –n.

participles may not be used as verbs participles may not be used as verbs by themselves. A participial may, by themselves. A participial may, however, be used with a helping verb however, be used with a helping verb to form a verb phrase. When to form a verb phrase. When participles are used in verb phrases, participles are used in verb phrases, they are considered part of the verb they are considered part of the verb and are not considered adjectives.and are not considered adjectives.

A participial phrase is a phrase A participial phrase is a phrase containing a participial and any containing a participial and any complements or modifiers it may have.complements or modifiers it may have.

Running through the store, the child Running through the store, the child tripped and fell onto the egg display.tripped and fell onto the egg display.

The kid swimming in the pool peed. The kid swimming in the pool peed. -The participial usually introduces the -The participial usually introduces the

phrase and the entire phrase acts as an phrase and the entire phrase acts as an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun.adjective to modify a noun or pronoun.

Past participial:Past participial:

The deer spotted with white patches The deer spotted with white patches walked across the meadow. walked across the meadow.

Soaked with water, Mary vowed Soaked with water, Mary vowed never to ride Splash Mountain again never to ride Splash Mountain again in the cold weather. in the cold weather.

Gerund PhraseGerund Phrase

A gerund is a word that looks like it A gerund is a word that looks like it should be a verb ending in –ing, but should be a verb ending in –ing, but it is functioning as a noun. it is functioning as a noun.

A gerund phrase begins with a A gerund phrase begins with a gerund and includes any modifiers gerund and includes any modifiers that go with it, just like a that go with it, just like a prepositional phrase would have.prepositional phrase would have.

ExamplesExamples

I like traveling.I like traveling.Walking at night can be very Walking at night can be very

dangerous.dangerous.You can pass this test by studying You can pass this test by studying

hard.hard.Sitting in an airplane seat can cause Sitting in an airplane seat can cause

your legs to cramp. your legs to cramp. My favorite thing to do is playing with My favorite thing to do is playing with

my daughter.my daughter.

Participial vs. Gerund phrasesParticipial vs. Gerund phrases

How do you tell the difference How do you tell the difference between a present participial phrase between a present participial phrase and a gerund phrase if they both are and a gerund phrase if they both are a “verb” ending in –ing?a “verb” ending in –ing?

Participial phrases are adjectives, Participial phrases are adjectives, gerund phrases are nouns…use the gerund phrases are nouns…use the “it” or “something” test if in doubt to “it” or “something” test if in doubt to see if it is a noun.see if it is a noun.

Infinitive and Infinitive PhraseInfinitive and Infinitive Phrase

An infinitive is a verb form that is An infinitive is a verb form that is usually preceded by the word “to” usually preceded by the word “to” and can be used as a noun, and can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. adjective, or adverb.

An infinitive verb is “to + verb”—to An infinitive verb is “to + verb”—to sing, to dance, to go, to shop, etc…sing, to dance, to go, to shop, etc…

Infinitive Phrase as NounInfinitive Phrase as Noun

I want to go home.I want to go home.To travel is to live.To travel is to live.Our goal is to win the game. Our goal is to win the game. To leave the party early would be To leave the party early would be

very rude. very rude.

Infinitive Phrase as AdjectiveInfinitive Phrase as Adjective

This is not the way to solve the This is not the way to solve the problem.problem.

Destination Truth is my favorite show Destination Truth is my favorite show to watch. to watch.

Infinitive Phrase as AdverbInfinitive Phrase as Adverb

We came to take you away.We came to take you away.

We go to the cabin to ski.We go to the cabin to ski.

We went to the club to sing in the We went to the club to sing in the contest.contest.

Infinitive Phrase vs. Prepositional Infinitive Phrase vs. Prepositional PhrasePhrase

Be careful! “to + verb”= infinitive, Be careful! “to + verb”= infinitive, “to + noun”= prepositional“to + noun”= prepositional

I promise to go home later to tape I promise to go home later to tape that show for you.that show for you.

Will you come to the house with me?Will you come to the house with me?

Appositive PhraseAppositive Phrase

This is easy.This is easy.

An appositive is a noun or pronoun An appositive is a noun or pronoun set beside another noun or pronoun set beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it. It is usually to explain or identify it. It is usually (but not always) set off by commas.(but not always) set off by commas.

ExamplesExamples

My cousin Ted has been married four My cousin Ted has been married four times before the age of 30. times before the age of 30.

My cat, the most beautiful thing in My cat, the most beautiful thing in the world, is my best friend. the world, is my best friend.

Alaska, a beautiful state, is so Alaska, a beautiful state, is so serene. serene.

The end!The end!