Phrases

Prepositions and Appositives

Phrases

A group of related words

Examples:sitting at homelost in thought

seared by the heat

PrepositionsA preposition is a word that shows a relationship of a noun or pronoun to some other word in the sentence. (Space and Time)

Common single –wordprepositions:

AboardAboveAfterAgainstBehindBeneathBetweenConcerningExceptForThroughTillUpon With

What is the relationship of the monkeys to the barrel?

Prepositional Phrases

Prespositional phrases consist of a prepositionfollowed by its object, called the object of thepreposition.

Prespositional phrases are always modifiers. .

Prepositional Phrases

If they modify a noun they are adjective phrases.

• The book on the shelf should go back to the library.

• The time before dawn is always the darkest.• The present for Jerry will be a surprise.

Prepositional Phrases

If they modify verbs, predicate adjectives, or other adverbs they are called adverb phrases.

• They had classes in astronomy at my high school.• The unloaded the truck after dinner.• They left early because of the heat.• We cleaned the tools by hand.• I have worked here for years.• I am happy with my job.

An adverb phrase answers the questions where, when, why or how.

Appositive

A noun that follows another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it.

• Her son, the actor, lives in New York now.• Dr. Goldhord, a member, addressed the

organization.

Appositive PhrasesAn appositive phrase consists of an appositive and its modifiers. It is a noun phrase that renames or identifies another noun. Appositive phrases are normally set off with commas.

• Emma, the only child in her class to have no cavities, smiled proudly.

• The Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy’s old enemy, attacked the scarecrow.

Verbal PhrasesGerunds, Infinites, and Participles – Oh My!

Wizard Of Oz

Verbals

Words that look like verbs, but act like other types of words.

nouns adjectives

adverbs

Gerunds

Gerunds are verbals that function as nouns andhave an –ing ending. Because gerunds function asnouns, they occupy slots traditionally held by nouns insentences such as subjects, direct objects, and objectsof prepositions.

Gerunds may occur as one word, or they may be part ofa Gerund phrase.

GerundsGerund, functioning as subject :

Reading is my most beneficial summer activity.

Gerund, functioning as direct object:James enjoys swimming.

Gerund, functioning as object of preposition:You will get good grades by studying.

Gerunds

Gerund phrase, functioning as subjectEating on the run is one of the most unhealthy American habits.

Gerund phrase, functioning as direct object:The teacher simply cannot excuse sleeping during class.

Gerunds

Gerund phrase, functioning as object ofpreposition:

We found the keys by looking on the ground next to the car.

To determine whether a word in a sentence is a gerund, look at the word(s) ending in –ing in the sentence. If this word can be replaced by the pronoun it, then the word is a gerund. If the word it replaces other words in addition to the gerund, then these make up the gerund phrase (Lester 177).

My grandfather loves getting together at Christmas.My grandfather loves it.

Note: This test, explained by Mark Lester in Grammar and Usage in the Classroom.

ParticiplesParticiples are verbals that usually function as adjectivesand occasionally function as adverbs.

Participles generally end with an –ed or –ing ending.

When participles function as adjectives, they areusually found preceding the nouns and pronouns ina sentence.

When participles function as adverbs, they aretypically found following the verb in a sentence

Participles

There are two types of participles: presentparticiples and past participles.

Present participles have an –ing ending.

Past participles may have one of several past tenseendings, including –ed, -en, and -d.

As with gerunds, participles may occur as one word, or they may be part of a participial phrase.

ParticiplesPresent participles

The running water provided a picturesque view. The clown was able to stop the raging bull from attacking the rider.

Past participlesThe crushed bug was an unpleasant sight. He was able to repair the broken lock.

Participles

Present participial phrasesThe car stopping at the light was hit by the truck. The bull came running towards the rodeo clown.

Past participial phrasesJames, amused by the crowd’s response, continued to perform magic tricks. Shaken from his near-death experience, John was unable to speak.

Participles

Pronoun replacement test: If you an replace the noun and the following present or past participle/phrase with a single pronoun then the attached words are participles/phrases.

EX: The reporters covering the accident interviewed the chief of police. They interviewed the chief of police.

InfinitivesInfinitives are verbals that are made up of the word to anda verb. Infinitives may function as nouns, adjectives oradverbs.

When infinitives function as adjectives and adverbs, theyare usually found preceding nouns and pronouns insentences.

When they function as nouns, they are used as subjects,direct objects and objects of prepositions.

Infinitives

Infinitives (to + verb) should not be confusedwith prepositional phrases (to + noun orpronoun).

Infinitives may occur as to + one verb, or theymay be part of an infinitive phrase.

Infinitives

Infinitives functioning as nounsTo love is the greatest achievement.

Infinitives functioning as adjectivesJason’s group was the last to arrive.

Infinitives functioning as adverbsThe students must pass the GHSGT test to graduate.

Infinitives

Infinitive phrase functioning as noun:Ranee wanted to arrive at her destination.

Infinitive phrase functioning as adjective:The Smiths were the first family in our neighborhood to adopt a child.

Infinitive Test to determine if an infinitive is functioning asan adverb: “If an infinitive or infinitive phrasecan be moved to the beginning of the sentence,then that infinitive or infinitive phrase modifiesthe verb.”

You must study hard to get good grades.To get good grades, you must study hard.

Note: This test, explained by Mark Lester in Grammar and Usage in the Classroom.

Find the Infinitive Phrase in each sentence and determine if it is acting as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

1. To be objective in my decision is hard. 2. Does Joan have enough change to make a

phone call? 3. Always try to proofread your paper before you

turn it in. 4. Ellen is able to swim six lengths of the pool. 5. The Harlow twins came to play with my little

brother.