Download Unit 4 Phrases, Ch 20

PHRASE
-Definition—a group of words that
functions in a sentence as a single part
of speech.
o Phrases do NOT contain subjects and
verbs!
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
-Remember a prepositional phrase
contains a preposition and an object (a
noun or pronoun)
-Prepositional phrases can act like
adjectives or adverbs
ADJECTIVE PHRASES
Adjective phrase—a prepositional phrase that
acts like an adjective
o It modifies a noun or pronoun by telling what
kind or which one
o Ex: The roadway with two lanes began there.
o Ex: The rancher with the angry face stopped
us.
ADJECTIVE PHRASES
-Adjective phrases can modify other adjective
phrases
o Ex: The weather vane on the roof of the barn
spun wildly.
-More than one adjective phrase can modify the
same word.
o Ex: There was the smell of rain in the air.
ADVERB PHRASES
Adverb phrase—a prepositional phrase that acts
like an adverb
-It modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb
-Adverb phrases point out where, when, in what
way or how, or to what extent.
ADVERB PHRASES
Ex: Raindrops fell in heavy torrents.
Ex: The day was warm for December.
Ex: The tornado struck suddenly, within minutes
of the warning.
ADVERB PHRASES
-Adverb phrases are not always located near the
words they modify
o Ex: During the storm, ranchers chased the
herd.
-Two or more adverb phrases can be in different
parts of the sentence and modify the same
word
o Ex: In an instant, a tornado tore through the
house.
APPOSITIVES
Appositive—a noun or pronoun placed after
another noun or pronoun to identify, rename,
or explain the preceding word
Ex: The painter Pablo Picasso lived in Spain.
Ex: I want to visit Spain’s famous museum, The
Prado.
APPOSITIVE PHRASES
Appositive phrases—an appositive with adjectives
or adverbs
-The phrase comes directly after the noun or
pronoun it is modifying
-75% of the time an appositive phrase will be
separated from the rest of the sentence with
commas
o Ex: Willa Cather, an American novelist, wrote
My Antonia.
VERBAL PHRASES
Verbal—a word that looks like a verb but acts like
something else
-A verbal can act like an adjective, noun, or
adverb.
PARTICIPLES
Participle—a verbal that acts like an adjective
-Tell “what kind” or “which one”
-Many participles end in –ed or –ing
o Ex: A walking tour was arranged.
o Ex: The cooked food won’t spoil.
PARTICIPIAL PHRASE
Participial Phrase—a participle with its modifiers
(adjective, adverb, complement)
-Usually it comes directly before or after the noun
or pronoun it modifies, but it may be located
somewhere else in the sentence
o Ex: The instructor, speaking slowly, explained
the use of skis.
o Ex: The skier, choosing her slope, looked at its
features carefully.
o Ex: The esteemed poet, honored by the award,
expressed his thanks.
INFINITIVES
Infinitive—a verbal that acts like a noun,
adjective, or adverb
-Uses the word “to” plus a word that looks like a
verb
o Ex: To listen, To ask
INFINITIVE PHRASES
Infinitive phrase—an infinitive with modifiers
o Ex: It is important to listen carefully.
o Ex: It is not polite to listen through the keyhole.
o Ex: I want her to hear the news.