Download Phrases - Buckeye Valley

Phrases
What is a phrase?
A 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.
• Preposition: a word that shows the
relationship of a noun or a pronoun, called
the object of the preposition, to another word
• Prepositional phrase: includes a preposition,
the object of the preposition, and any
modifiers.
• Example: A koala is a marsupial, a mammal
with an external abdominal pouch.
• To me a koala looks like a cuddly teddy bear.
• An analogy: this is a group of dogs
How can we divide these dogs into
two groups?
• By breed … that would be more than two
• By appearance…we probably won’t agree on
which are “best” looking…
• How about function?
– House pets
– Protectors
House Pets
Protectors
So, they are all dogs, but now we have
them split into two functions.
Likewise prepositional phrases can be
categorized into two functions
• Adjective phrases – describe or
modify nouns or pronouns
• Adverb phrases – describe or modify
verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
• Remember: Adjectives modify (or describe)
nouns or pronouns; therefore an adjective
phrase is a phrase that contains a preposition
and an object of the preposition AND modifies
a noun or pronoun.
• Example: We ordered a dish of salsa and a
basket of tortilla chips.
Adverb phrases
• Remember: Adverbs modify (describe) verbs,
adjectives or other adverbs; therefore, an
adverb phrase contains a preposition and an
object of preposition and modifies a verb,
adjective or adverb.
• Example: The mole burrowed under the lawn.
• Althea Gibson was graceful on the tennis court.
• The child speaks quite clearly for a two-year-old.
Read each sentences carefully and decide
is it an adjective phrase or an adverb
phrase.
• Roman roads were one reason
for Caesar’s military successes.
• The book on the top shelf is the
one you want.
Adjective phrase
• Roman roads were one reason for
Caesar’s military successes.
• The book on the top shelf is the one
you want.
• The group hiked toward the
summit.
• The little girl hid under the table.
Adverb phrase
The group hiked toward the
summit.
The little girl hid under the table.
On a sheet of paper make three columns
(like this); read each sentence carefully
• Prepositonal
phrase
• Modified
word
• Adjective or
Adverb
phrase
There may be more than one phrase in
the same sentence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
No one in the class has seen the movie yet.
After the storm, the town grew quiet.
He glanced out the window.
The picture of their candidate in today’s
newspaper is not all flattering.
5. This summer we’re going by car to Kansas
6. The coconut palms in the park near the bay
were planted a long time ago.
• Prepositonal Modified word • Adjective or
Adverb phrase
phrase
1. in the class
2. After the storm
3. out the window
4. Of their
candidate
No one
grew
glanced
picture
Adjective
Adverb
Adverb
Adjective
4b. in today’s
newspaper
picture
• Adjective or
Adverb phrase
Adjective
5. by car
going
Adverb
6. near the bay
park
Adjective
• Prepositonal Modified word
phrase