Name: Schedule:

ELT 208
November 13 2020

PHRASE
- is a group of related words that is used as a single part of speech and that does not contain both
a verb and its subject.

Examples: could have been (no subject)

Instead of Debra and him (no subject or verb)

NOTE: A group of words that has both a verb and its subject is NOT a PHRASE.

Examples: We found your pen. (We is the subject of found)

If she will go (he is the subject of will go)

NOTE: If a group of words contains both a verb and its subject, it is called a CLAUSE.

Exercise 1: Identifying Phrases

Directions: Identify each of the following groups of words as a phrase or not a phrase.
Examples: with a hammer – phrase
Because we agree – not a phrase

1. was hoping 6. since Mallory wrote

2. if she really knows 7. after they leave
3. with Abdullah and me 8. has been cleaned
4. will be writing 9. on Miriam’s desk
5. inside the house 10. as the plane lands

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
- includes a preposition, the object of the preposition, and any modifiers of that object

Examples: to the pool at the Jackson’s house instead of them

The noun or pronoun in a prepositional phrase is called the object of the preposition.
Example: Clarice went to the ballet. (The noun ballet is the object of preposition to)

Kinds of Prepositional Phrase

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A. Adjective Phrase
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- a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun

 Example: The members of the club want sweatshirts with the club emblem.
(The prepositional phrase of the club is used as an adjective to modify the noun
members. With the club emblem is used as an adjective to modify the noun sweatshirts.)

- more than one adjective phrase may also modify the object of another prepositional phrase

Example: Here’s a letter for you from Aunt Martha. (The prepositional phrases for you and from
Aunt Martha both modify the noun letter.)

- an adjective phrase may also modify the object of another prepositional phrase

Example: The horse in the trailer with the rusted latch broke loose. (The phrase in the trailer
modifies the noun horse. Trailer is the object of the preposition in. The phrase with a
rusted latch modifies trailer.)
Exercise 2: Identifying Adjective Phrases
Directions: Identify the adjective phrases in the following sentences, and give the word that each
modifies.

Example: A few years ago our family visited South Dakota and saw a famous monument to great
American leaders.
Answer: to great American leaders – monument

1. My mom took the pictures on the next page when we were visiting this scenic spot at Mount
Rushmore National Memorial.
2. As you can see, the mountainside behind us is a lasting tribute to George Washington, Thomas
Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
3. The figures on the granite cliff were carved successfully.
4. The faces are sixty feet and show a great deal of detail and expression.
5. Each president symbolizes a part of United States history.

B. Adverb Phrase
- a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. It tells how, when, where, why,
or to what extent.

Examples: Britney answered with a smile. (The adverb phrase with a smile tells how Britney
answered.)
: They sailed across the lake yesterday. (The adverb phrase across the lake tells where
they sailed.)
: By Wednesday Christopher will be finished. (The adverb phrase By Wednesday tells
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when Christopher will be finished.)

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 : The calculations erred by more than two inches. (By more than two inches is an adverb
phrase telling to what extent the calculations erred.)

- may modify an adjective or an adverb

Examples: Melissa is good at tennis but better at volleyball. (The adverb phrase at tennis modifies
the adjective good. The adverb phrase at volleyball modifies the adjective better.)
: Is the water warm enough for swimming? (The adverb phrase for swimming modifies
the adverb enough.)

- almost always follow the words they modify, but an adverb phrase may appear at various places in a
sentence.

Examples: Before noon the race started.

The race started before noon.

- like adjective phrases, more than one adverb phrase may modify the same word.

Example: During summers, my older sister works at the museum. (The adverb phrases During
summer and at the museum both modify the verb works. The first phrase tells when my
sister works; the second phrase tells where she works.

Exercise 3: Identifying Adverb Phrases

Directions: Identify the adverb phrases in the following sentences, and give the word or words each
phrase modifies.
Example: The concept of time has inspired many figures of speech over the years.
Answer: over the years – has inspired

1. We use time expressions in everyday speech.

2. Is twenty minutes too long for a “time-out”?
3. However, if you are sitting in a waiting room, “time drags.”
4. When you fall in love, you may feel that “time stands still.”
5. The man waited at the living room.

VERBALS
Verbals are formed from verbs. Like verbs, they may have modifiers and complements.
However, verbals are used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, not as verbs. The three kinds of verbals are
gerund, infinitives, and participles.
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Gerund
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 - is a verb form ending in –ing that is used as a noun. Like other nouns, gerunds are used as
subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, indirect objects, object of the preposition, and
appositive.

As subject : The dancing was fun.

As predicate nominative
As direct object
As indirect object
As object of the preposition
As appositive
: My favorite part of the show was his juggling.
: Shauna tried climbing faster.
: Give winning the game your best.
: We worked better after resting.
: Her hobby, singing, is what she likes the most.

Exercise 4: Identifying and Classifying Gerunds

Directions: Identify each gerund in the following sentences, and then classify the function.
Example: Instead of driving, let’s walk.
Answer: driving – object of the preposition

1. Her laughing attracted my attention.

2. By studying, you can improve your grades.
3. Why did the birds stop chirping?
4. What Joseph liked best was hiking to the peak.
5. Her field of specialization, advertising, requires creativity.

Infinitive
- is a verb form that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Most infinitives begin with
to. Infinitives are used as subject, direct object, appositive, predicate nominative, adverb, and
adjective.

As subject : To fly is glorious.

As direct object : Brandon wanted to work on the play.
As appositive : The original plan, to attack Tokyo, did not materialize.
As predicate nominative : Her final decision is to stay with us.
As adverb : Sabina jumped to shoot.
As adjective : The place to visit is Williamsburg.

Exercise 5: Identifying and Classifying Infinitives

Directions: Identify the infinitives in the following sentences. Then, tell how each infinitive is used.
Example: I tried to call you last night.
Answer: to call – direct object
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1. Tamisha’s ambition is to teach.

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2. To persist can sometimes be a sign of stubbornness.

 3. I am happy to oblige.
4. An easy way to win at tennis does not exist.
5. My original plan, to dance with her, came into fruition.

Participle
- is a verb form that can be used as an adjective. It comes in two forms: present and past.

A. Present participle ends in –ing.

Examples: We ran inside to get out of the pouring rain. (The present participle pouring modifies
the noun rain.)
The manager needs an employee with pleasing personality. (The present participle
pleasing modifies the noun personality.)

B. Past participle ends in –d, -ed, or changing spelling and ends in –n.
Examples: A peeled and sliced cucumber can be added to a garden salad. (The past participles
peeled and sliced modify the noun cucumber.)
I went to an orthopedic center for my broken bone. (The past participle broken modifies
the noun bone.)
The smoked fish is good to eat. (The past participle smoked modifies the noun fish.)

Exercise 6: Identifying Participles and the Words They Modify

Directions: Identify the participles used as adjectives in each of the following sentences. Tell whether
present or past, and write the noun or pronoun it modifies.
Examples: We searched the island for buried treasure.
- buried – past participle – treasure

: The speeding train raced past the platform.

- speeding – present participle – train

1. The prancing horses were loudly applauded by the audience.

2. The children consoled their bereaved mother.
3. The cancelled checks had been returned to the financier.
4. All the drinking glasses were disinfected before they were donated to the clinic.
5. The inflated dolls were returned for some punctures.
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