Download Types of Phrases Notes

Phrase vs. Clause
Phrase: a group of words that contains EITHER a subject OR a verb (not both!)
Clause: a group of words that contains BOTH a subject and a verb
Independent Clause: A clause that can stand alone as a complete
sentence.
Dependent (Subordinate) Clause: A clause that cannot stand alone as a
complete sentence. Usually starts with a subordinating conjunction.
Types of Phrases
1. Prepositions/Prepositional Phrases
Preposition: word that modifies a noun or pronoun. Describes two main types of
relationships: place and time
Prepositional Phrase: A group of words that begins with a preposition and usually ends
with a noun or pronoun called the object of the preposition.
Some prepositions: about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, as, at,
before, behind, below, by, concerning, during, for, from, in, of, off, on, out, since, than
to, toward, under, up, with, within, without, etc.
Ex. The dog ran across the field to catch the ball. (place)
Ex. Can we talk for a few minutes? (time)
2. Appositives/Appositive Phrases
Appositive: a noun or pronoun that is placed next to another noun or pronoun to
identify or give more information about it. Appositives are NON-ESSENTIAL.
Ex. Her cousin Fred is an astronomy whiz.
Appositive phrase: an appositive plus its modifiers ---usually set apart by commas.
Ex. I saw Ms. Gruber, the woman in the blue jacket, the last time we were here.
3. Infinitives/Infinitive Phrases
Infinitive: a verb form that is usually preceded by the word to and is used as a noun,
adjective, or adverb. Remember---to + verb.
Ex. To lie is dishonorable.
Their orders were to retreat.
Infinitive phrase: an infinitive with its modifiers.
Ex. We hope to climb the mountain by nightfall.
Types of Dependent Clauses
1. Noun Clause: Dependent clauses used as nouns can be introduced either by a
relative pronoun or by a subordinating conjunction (that, whether).
Noun clauses are introduced by dependent words like: what, who, whom,
whoever, why, whose, that, whether, how
Ex. Dorothy didn't know what was going to happen on the Yellowbrick Road.
The witch swore to get the slippers in whatever way she could.
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2. Adjectives clause: Dependent clauses used as adjectives can be introduced by
relative pronouns.
Adjective clauses are introduced by dependent words like: who, whom, that, in
which, which, whose, of whom
Ex. Fred, who had long adored her from a distance, finally proposed. [modifies Fred]
The wrestler who is being tossed out of the ring is wearing the toupé that he found under
his couch.
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3. Adverbs clause: A dependent clause introduced by subordinating conjunction
can act the same way as a one word adverb. Put a comma after the
dependent clause if it precedes the main clause; do not use a comma if the
dependent clause comes after the main clause.
Adverb (or subordinate) clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions
and tell why, how, when, or where something occurs. Think of an adverb clause
as an independent clause with a subordinating conjunction added to the front:
Adverb clauses are introduced by dependent words like: even if, whereas,
although, though, while, even though because, since, as so that, in that, in order
that if, unless after, before, as soon as, as long as, since, until, while, when,
whenever, wherever
Time: As soon as they were married, she began to miss her bulldog.
Place: The salesman swore to follow Egbert wherever he might go.
Purpose: He only ate the Doritos so I wouldn't eat them myself.
Cause: She married him because he looked just like her bulldog.
Condition: If our guests hear loud screams coming from the tower, they may begin
to suspect that Uncle Hubert is still alive.
Concession: Although Stanley believed he had taken every possible precaution, he
had forgotten to clean the bloodstains from the boathouse floor.
Sentence Structure
To expand a sentence means to add more clauses to the original clause. This allows the
communication of more than one idea in a single sentence.
1. A simple is an independent clause standing alone, expressing a single idea..
Example: The ugly duckling was not accepted by any of the other swans.
2. A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses joined by
comma+FANBOY (coordinatin conjunction) or a semicolon (;).
(comma +and)
Example: I went to the store, and I got lots of groceries.
3. A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one subordinate
clause. Look for subordinating conjunctions.
Example: Since I went to the store, I got lots of groceries.
4. A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at
least one subordinate clause.
Example: Since I went to the store, I got lots of groceries, but I forgot to get some
milk.
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Common Sentence Errors
Sentence fragments
A clause becomes a sentence fragment if it has a
connecting word but it is not actually connected to another
clause.
 Whenever the boy threw the ball. The dog would
bring it back.
 His father said not to. But the boy threw the ball.
 The dog barked. And the boy threw the ball.
To complete the sentence, either remove the connecting
word or add another clause, often by changing
punctuation.




The boy threw the ball.
Whenever the boy threw the ball, the dog would
bring it back.
His father said not to, but the boy threw the
ball.
Comma splices and run-on
sentences
These occur when clauses are joined together incorrectly
through misuse of punctuation or connecting words.


The boy threw the ball, however he wasn’t fast
enough.
The boy threw the ball, he wasn’t fast enough.
To correct these errors, there are three options:
- use a semicolon
- use a conjunction and comma
- split the clauses into separate sentences.
The dog barked, and the boy threw the
ball.



The boy threw the ball; however, he wasn’t fast
enough.
The boy threw the ball, but he wasn’t fast
enough.
The boy threw the ball. He wasn’t fast enough.
Misplaced modifiers
Adjectives or adverbs - single words or groups - always describe the closest element of the clause.
If a modifier group is closer to the wrong element, it can be awkward, confusing, or even hilarious.

Vicious and dangerous, the woods were full of bears.
(Here, “the woods” seem to be vicious and dangerous, which does not make much sense.)

He cautioned them against yelling quietly, since it could cause an avalanche.
(“Quietly” seems to modify “yelling,” which is contradictory.)
To correct these errors, move the modifiers so that they are closest to the element they should modify.

The woods were full of bears, vicious and dangerous.

He quietly cautioned them against yelling, since it could cause an avalanche.