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Writing
Effective
Sentences
Unit 1
Lesson 2 Simple sentences with
phrases (and action verbs)
OBJECTIVES:
After completing this lesson, you should be able
to
• identify prepositional phrases in a simple
sentence
• identify participial phrases in a simple
sentence
• identify infinitive phrases in a simple sentence
2A The prepositional phrase
• A group of two or more related words that do
not contain a subject/verb combination is
known as a phrase. Phrases are classified into
three major types: prepositional, participial,
and infinitive.
Prepositional phrases begin with a
prepositional and typically end with a noun or
pronoun. The preposition connects its object
(the noun or pronoun) to some other part of the
sentence.
The most commonly used prepositions are
shown below:
about
around
by
in
over
after
at
during
of
through upon
against before
for
on
to
with
among
from
out
toward
within
between
under
The prepositional phrases in these simple
sentences are enclosed in parentheses:
Most (of the members) completed their
duties (before noon.)
(In the morning) we drove the truck (to Los
Angeles.)
The driver spent (over ten hours) (behind
the wheel) (of his car.)
Application 2-1
•
Place parentheses around the prepositional
phrases in these sentences.
1. Their family has lived here for many
years.
2. All of our members paid their dues on
time.
3. Within a few minutes the plane arrived at
the gate.
4. We recognized her voice on the telephone.
5. The police directed everyone to the side of
the street.
6. They left under orders from the governor.
7. Through the years the society prospered
under her leadership.
8. Her mother looked for them among the
trees behind the hill.
9. Within a few minutes the ground was
soaked form the rain.
10. President Larson spoke against the
measure in the afternoon.
2B The participial phrase
• Participles are special verb forms. Present
participles end in ing; past participles generally
have the same ending as the past tense of the
verb (in many cases, ed). Participial phrases
begin with a participle and end with an object
or with a modifier. Examples follow:
That car (standing there) costs a great deal.
(Walking quietly,) they avoided (being
heard.)
(Amazed (by the judge’s decision,) the
lawyer turned around.
As shown in the third example sentence above,
a phrase ix sometimes included within another
phrase. In this case, a prepositional phrase is
included in a participial phrase.
Application 2-2
•
Place parentheses around the participial
phrases in sentence 1-5.
1. Those people applying late were turned
down.
2. Beginning tomorrow, deliveries will be
made on Tuesdays.
3. All buildings requiring paint are located in
the north part of town.
4. Needed immediately, she wasted no time
getting there.
5. We ate every hamburger served on a
fresh bun.
2C The infinitive phrase
• Infinitives are special verb forms that usually
consist of the word “to” followed by a verb.
Infinitive phrases begin with an infinitive and
end with an object or a modifier.
Examples of infinitive phrases in simple
sentences follow:
Our new supervisor asked each person (to
bring a notebook.)
(To complete the job,) we were required
(to work long hours.)
The usher told us (to enter quietly.)
He reminded us (to ask (for directions.)
Application 2-3
•
Place parentheses around the infinitive
phrases in the following sentences.
1. Everyone expected to receive the
shipment before Friday.
2. I asked them to writer legibly.
3. We tried to stop the car in time to avoid
the accident.
4. To get to the stage, we had to enter
through the side door.
5. Ms. Baker was instructed to begin the
meeting at two o’clock.