Download Q: What is a Phrase?

Prepositional Phrases
• They are a group of words in a sentence
that act as a single part of speech.
• No matter how long a prepositional phrase
is or how many different parts of speech it
contains, a prepositional phrase in a
sentence always acts as if it were a oneword adjective or adverb.
Prepositional Phrases
Examples:
• near airports (used as an adjective because
it describes were the subject is located)
• near busy urban airports (just made it
longer…but it’s still an adjective)
• near busy urban highways and airports
(even longer!)
Infinitive Phrases
• Infinitives are verbs that can be used as a
noun, adjective, or an adverb. Put them into
a group of words within a sentence that
mean the same thing, then walla! you have
an infinitive phrase.
Infinitive Phrases
Examples:
• It is not polite to listen through the keyhole.
• “Listen through the keyhole” is acting like a
noun.
• You can rely on me to run extremely fast.
(adjective)
• To drive up the hill was impossible.
(adverb)
Participle Phrases
• Participles are verb forms with two basic
uses: helping verbs and adjectives. Present
participles usually end in “ ing ” and past
participles usually end in “ ed ”.
Participle Phrases
Examples:
• The teacher, speaking slowly, explained the
use of deadly animals to intimidate students.
• The esteemed student, honored by the
award, was given loads of cash by his
parents.
• Gripping the pen, I began to write my essay.
Independent Clause
Example:
• The air vibrated. (subject, verb)
• In the morning, students were asleep in
class. (subject, verb)
• The guitar player, who was extremely
talented, played one solo with his teeth.
(subject, verb)
Dependent Clause
Example:
• …while the band practiced in the garage.
(subject, verb)
• …after she performed her solo. (subject,
verb)
• The lights focused on her as she sang an
danced.
• When the rain comes down hard, all little
animals seek shelter.
Transition
Example:
• My hand burned as a result of brilliant idea
to stir boiling-hot water with it.
• It hurt like a thousand sharp needles, but on
the other hand it looked interesting.
• My bike was found next to the garbage
dump.
Appositive
Example:
• J.K. Rowling, a British novelist, wrote the
Harry Potter series.
• A typhoon, a powerful Pacific Ocean
hurricane, struck the fleet of ships.