Download CHAPTER 14: The Phrase

CHAPTER 14:
The Phrase
Prepositional, Verbal, and
Appositive Phrases
The 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.
• Which of the following are
phrases?
–
–
–
–
–
was looking
if she will go
with my friend
when the clock strikes three
at the house on the corner
Prepositional Phrases
• A prepositional phrase includes a
preposition, the object of the
preposition, and any modifiers of that
object.
• to the Bat Cave (to is a preposition,
Bat Cave is the object of the
preposition, the is an article which
modifies the object of the preposition)
• Identify the parts of these
prepositional phrases:
–
–
–
–
with your good blessing
along the winding river
inside the four-cornered room
at the University of Tennessee’s
Department of History
Types of Prepositional Phrases
•
Adjective Phrase
–
–
–
–
•
Modifies a noun or pronoun
Which one? What kind?
The boy in the plastic bubble cannot leave his
house.
• The prep. phrase is used as an adjective to modify
boy.
It was not me; it was the man with one arm.
• The prep phrase is used as an adjective to modify
man.
Adverb Phrase
–
–
–
Modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb
How? When? Where? Why? To what extent?
His best friend drove to her house.
–
She is skilled at knitting.
–
Are the steaks good enough for eating?
• What does the phrase modify?
• What does the phrase modify?
• What does the phrase modify?
Verbals and Verbal Phrases
• Formed from verbs and, like
verbs, have modifiers and
complements
• However, they are NEVER used
as verbs but as nouns,
adjectives, and adverbs.
• The three kinds of verbals are
– Participles
– Gerunds
– Infinitives
Participle
• Verbal that is used as an
adjective
• Present Participles end in –ing.
– The running water was very cold.
– The boiling stew was too hot to
eat.
• Past Participles end in –d, –ed,
or an irregular form.
– The baked ham was our prepared
meal.
– The athlete, known for his speed
and agility, was drafted by the
Saints.
Participial Phrase
• Used as an adjective and
consists of a participle and any
complements or modifiers the
participle has
– Running for the right field fence,
Larry Walker pulled his left
hamstring.
– I yelled at the dog defecating in
my yard.
– Silently creeping down the
hallway, I was able to eavesdrop
on the conversation.
Gerund
• Ends in –ing that is used as a
noun
• Gerund phrases consist of a
gerund and any modifiers and
complements the gerund has.
The entire phrase is used as a
gerund
– Jogging is a great way to stay fit.
– My favorite sport is mountainclimbing.
– The beautiful playing of the guitar
caught my attention.
– I loathe the sound of scraping
fingernails across a chalkboard.
Infinitive
• Can be used as a noun, adjective, or
adverb. Most begin with the word
“to.”
– “to” + a verb, i.e. to see, to fall, to eat,
etc.
– As a noun
• To write is my life’s ambition.
– As an adjective
• The football stadium is the place to be
on Saturdays.
– As an adverb
• A good woman is difficult to find.
– **It is possible to have an infinitive with
the to omitted.
• I’ll help you [to] do your homework.
• Cats like to purr and [to] eat all day.
Infinitive Phrase
• Consists of an infinitive and any
modifiers and complements the
infinitive has, the entire phrase
can be used as a noun,
adjective, or adverb.
– To make good gumbo can be
difficult.
– Texas is a fun team to watch on
the football field.
– I am anxious to see the scores of
the next grammar test.
Appositives and Appositive Phrases
• Appositive – a noun or pronoun
placed beside another noun or
pronoun to identify or describe
– The NFL quarterback Aaron Brooks will
make careless mistakes.
– Bob Dylan, an accomplished
songwriter, is in the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame.
• Appositive phrase – a appositive and
any modifiers it has
– The New Orleans Saints, an NFL team
without many playoff wins, will be
forced to play their home games in
San Antonio.
– Next year, you will take biology, the
study of living organisms.