Download WB Chapter 14 – Phases Notes - Ashwaubenon School District

American Literature – Phrases Notes
Phrase – a group of related words that is used as a single part of speech and that does not contain both a subject
and a verb.
Types of Phrases
Prepositional phrase (WB100) – includes a preposition, the object of the preposition and any modifiers of the
object.
For a list of prepositions, refer to WB 67 & 68.
The object of the preposition is the noun or pronoun that follows it.
Modifiers are adjectives that describe the noun or pronoun.
The prepositional phrase includes everything from the P to the O.
P
O
Example: The scared cat ran under the couch.
P
O
The scared cat ran under the large, green couch.
Be careful with the word to.
To is only a preposition if it is followed by a noun or pronoun.
P
O
Example: Are you going to the concert Saturday night?
Example: I really want to run today after school.
In this example to is NOT a preposition. It is part of an infinitive = to + verb.
Adjective phrase (WB100) – a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. Adjective phrases tell what
kind or which one.
Adjective phrases almost always come after the noun or pronoun they modify.
ADJ
Example: The trees in the park are growing fast.
in the park is an adjective phrase because it describes the noun trees.
Two or more adjective phrases may modify the same noun or pronoun.
ADJ
ADJ
Example: The picture of their candidate in today’s newspaper is not at all flattering.
Both adjective phrases modify the noun picture.
An adjective phrase may also modify the object of another prepositional phrase.
P
O
ADJ
Example: The coconut palms in the park near the bay were planted a long time ago.
near the bay modifies park which is the object (the noun or pronoun that follows a preposition) in the
prepositional phrase in the park.
Adverb phrase (WB101) – a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
Adverb phrases tell when, where, why, how, or to what extent.
Adverb phrases come after anything but a noun. They can also start a sentence.
ADV
Example: Alice went down the stairs.
down the stairs is an adverb phrase because it modifies the verb went. It tells where she went.
ADV
Example: In the evening the children played tag.
in the evening is an adverb phrase because it starts the sentence and because it modifies the verb played. It
tells when the children played.
Prepositional Phrases
Adjective phrase – modifies/describes
a noun or pronoun;
comes after a noun
or prounoun
Adverb phrase –
modifies/describes
verb, adjective or
adverb; comes after a
verb, adjective or
adverb or comes at
the beginning of a
sentence
Verbals (WB104) – formed from verbs and used as adjectives, nouns, or adverbs.
Verbal phrase – consists of a verbal and its modifiers and complements.
Types of Verbal Phrases
Participles (WB104-105) – a verb form used as an adjective
Most participles end in –ing or –ed. Some common irregular participles are chosen, fallen, hidden, broken
Example: A chipped fingernail can be annoying.
chipped is the participle. It is formed from the verb chip. It modifies fingernail, a noun.
Example: The smiling graduates posed for the photographer.
smiling is the participle. It is formed from the verb smile. It modifies graduates, a noun.
Example: For years the treasure had remained hidden under tons of fallen rock.
hidden is a participle. It is formed from the verb hide. It modifies the noun treasure. fallen is a participle.
It is formed from the verb fall. It modifies the noun rock.
Gerund (WB107) – a verb form used as a noun
Gerunds end in –ing.
Example: Reading will improve your vocabulary.
Reading is the gerund. As the subject of the sentence, it is a noun.
Example: One popular summer sport is swimming.
swimming is an activity, a thing, which is a noun.
Infinitives (WB110) – a verb form that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
Most infinitives consist of the word to + a verb
Example: Betty wants to act.
Example: His dream is to travel all over the world.
Sometimes to, the indicator of an infinitive, is omitted.
Example: He will help us (to) paddle the canoe.
Verbals
Participal – ed, -ing word
-ing words used
Gerund to + a verb
as nouns
Infinitive
used as an adjective
used as a
noun, adjective or adverb
Appositives (WB114) – a noun or pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify or describe it.
Example: My cousin Bryan is my best friend.
Bryan is the appositive. It further identifies the noun cousin.
Example: Our football team has won its first two games, one by three points and the
other by six.
one and other are appositives. They identify the noun games.
Example: Elise, a cautious driver, has never had an automobile accident.
a cautious driver is the appositive. It further identifies the noun Elise.
An appositive phrase usually follows the noun or pronoun it identifies or describes. Sometimes, though, it
precedes the noun or pronoun.
Example: A diligent and quick-witted student, Mark always gets good grades.
A diligent and quick-witted student is the appositive. It further identifies the noun Mark.
Typically, words set off by commas are the appositive.
Example: Basketball, my favorite sport, is very popular in America.
my favorite sport is the appositive. It further identifies the noun Basketball.