Types of Phrases
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Reminder: A phrase is a group of words that does NOT have a subject or a verb (cannot be a sentence) and that functions as a single part of speech.
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Appositive Phrases: A noun (and its modifiers) that comes after and renames another noun in a sentence.
Ex. The group members included Sally, a high school guidance counselor, and Mary, an architect.
Prepositional Phrases: Function as adverbs or adjectives; begin with a preposition and end with a noun (the object of the preposition).
Adverb: The gorilla lurked in the mist. (lurked where?)
Adjective: The gorilla in the tree is named Sam. (which one?)
Verbals: Verb forms used as different parts of speech.
Participle:
FORM: verb ending in ing (present participle) or d, ed, n, en, or t (past participle).
FUNCTION: used as an adjective
Ex. Clay pigeons make good moving targets. (modifies targets)
Participial Phrase:
FORM: the participle and all of its modifiers and complements
FUNCTION: the entire phrase as a unit functions as an adjective
Ex. Tugging his line fiercely, Keith landed a huge trout.
Gerunds:
FORM: verb ending in “ing”
FUNCTION: used as a noun (thus may be the subject, D.O., S.C., or
object of preposition)
Ex. Swimming is fun. (Subject)
Dan likes arguing. (D.O.)
Her hobby is gardening. (S.C./P.N)
These boots were made for walking. (Obj. of Prep)
Gerund Phrases:
FORM: a gerund with all of its modifiers and complements
FUNCTION: the entire phrase functions as a noun
Ex. Riding a bike is a great method of exercise. (Subject)
Infinitives
FORM: “to” plus a verb
FUNCTION: used as a noun, adverb, or adjective
Ex. As a noun: To forgive is to forget. (S and S.C.)
As an adjective: The player to watch is the quarterback.
(modifies player—tells us which player)
As an adverb: Mrs. Chisolm rose to speak.
(modifies rose—tells us why she rose)
Infinitive Phrases:
FORM: the infinitive and all of its modifiers and complements
FUNCTION: the entire phrase functions as a noun, adjectivel, or adverb
Ex. She is the person to see about the job. (tells us which person—ADJ.)
Clause: a group of words that has a subject and a verb
Independent (Main) Clause: expresses a complete thought
Ex. He watched the movie.
Dependent (Subordinate) Clause: expresses an incomplete thought and functions as a single part of speech
Ex. If he were here
Adjective Clause: modifies a noun and usually introduced by relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, that, which, where, when)
Ex. The boy who sang in the play is now famous.
Adverb Clause: modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb and introduced by subordinating conjunctions (see conjunction section)
Ex. If you build it, they will come.
Ex. I know what you did last summer.