Transcript Phrases

PHRASES
Prepositional Phrases

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that
begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or
pronoun called the object of the preposition.
 The
stairs lead to the attic . [attic is the op “to”]
 The staircase is too steep for her. [her is the object of
“for”]
 The laid carpeting on the stairs. [stairs is the object of
“on”]
 For a list of common prepositions, see page 435 or
refer to the rabbit and log theory.
The Rabbit can do anything with the log, he
Go
Go
can:
under
above
Go
around
Go
in
Go
through
Go
over
on
Be
from
behind
beside
against
with
Prepositional Phrases

Adjectives and other modifiers may be placed
between the preposition and its object. Also, a
preposition may have more than one object.
 The
staircase leads to the crowded, dusty attic.
 The staircase leads to the attic and the roof. [2 objects]

A prepositional phrase acts in the same way an
adjective or an adverb does. Used as an adjective,
a prep phrase modifies a noun or a pronoun. Used
as an adverb, it modifies a verb, an adjective, or an
adverb.
Prepositional Phrases
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They used the staircase on the left. [adj. phrase
modifies staircase]
Which of the staircases leads downstairs? [adj.
phrase modifies which]
At midnight you can come downstairs to the
kitchen. [adv. Phrase modifies can come]
My grandfather explained that a daily walk is
healthful for him. [adv. Phrase modifies healthful]
She walks very quickly for a young baby. [adv.
Phrase modifies adv. Quickly]
Appositives and Appositive Phrases
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An appositive is a noun or pronoun that is placed
next to another noun or pronoun to identify or give
additional information about it….
 My

friend Paulo sends me long letters from Brazil.
An appositive phrase is an appositive plus any
words that modify the appositive.
 He
is living and working in Brasilia, the capital city.
Appositives and Appositive Phrases
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Use commas to set off any appositive or appositive
phrase that is not essential to the meaning of a sentence.
 Paulo’s brother Ernesto also lives there. [The appositive
is essential because Paulo has more than one brother.]
 Dora, Paulo’s only sister, lives in New York. [The
appositive phrase is not necessary to identify Dora.]
Usually an appositive or app. phrase follows the noun or
pronoun it identifies or explains. Occasionally an app.
Phrase precedes the noun or pronoun.
 A skilled mechanic, Paulo could probably find work
anywhere.
Verbals and Verbal Phrases
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A verbal is a verb form that functions in a sentence
as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
A verbal phrase is a verbal plus any complements
and modifiers.
There are three kinds of verbals: participles,
gerunds, and infinitives. All three can be expanded
into phrases.
Participles and Participial Phrases
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A participle is a verb form that can function as an
adjective.
A present participle is made up of the base form of
the verb plus -ing: falling.
A past participle is usually made up of the base
form plus –ed: burned. Some past participles are
irregularly formed.
Participles and Participial Phrases
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Participles are often used as adjectives:
 No
one would eat the burned toast.
 We were warned to watch out for falling rocks.
 The fallen tree blocked the winding road.
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A participial phrase contains a participle plus any
complements and modifiers. They can be placed in
various positions in a sentence.
 We
watched the best teams playing baseball.
 The victors, elated by the victory, shook hands with the
losers.
 The badly defeated team accepted its fate with grace.
Gerunds and Gerund Phrases
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A gerund is a verb form that ends in –ing and is
used in the way a noun is used.
 Eating
is something I enjoy. [as subject]
 My grandfather likes strolling. [as direct object]
 Tony gives baking his best effort. [as indirect object]
 How much enthusiasm do you feel for bowling. [as op]
 Rachel’s favorite pastime is painting. [as pred. nom.]
 My hobbies, writing and reading, are quiet activities.
[appositives]
Gerunds and Gerund Phrases
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A gerund phrase is a gerund plus any complements
and modifiers.
 Dancing
the tango is not as easy as it looks.
 Fred Astaire’s marvelous dancing will always be
exciting.
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The difference between a present participle and a
gerund is that a present participle is used as a verb
or an adjective and a gerund is used as a noun.
 Running
around the track, Tommy felt exhilarated. [PP]
 Running gives Tommy a sense of well-being. [gerund]
Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases
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An infinitive is a verb form that is usually preceded by
the word “to” and is used as a noun, an adjective, or an
adverb.
When you use the word “to” before the base form of a
verb, to is not a preposition but part of the infinitive
form.
To stand can be uncomfortable. [infinitive as subject]
 Infants first learn to crawl. [infinitive as direct object]
 Her aim is to walk. [infinitive as pred. nom.]
 I am happy to run. [infinitive as adverb]
 Birds have an instinct to fly. [infinitive as adjective]

Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases
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An infinitive phrase contains an infinitive plus any
complements and modifiers.
 We
decided to sail across the lake.
 The wanted to drive slowly around the park.
 To run in a marathon someday is my secret ambition.
 A triathlon requires athletes to train diligently.
 To complete a triathlon is a success in itself.