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Phrases
Prepositional Phrases
A prepositional phrase is a group of
words that begins with a preposition and
ends with a noun or a pronoun called the
object of the preposition.
The stairs lead to the attic.
[Attic is the object of the preposition to.]
The staircase is too steep for her.
[Her is the object of the preposition for.]
They laid carpeting on the stairs.
[Stairs is the object of the preposition on.]
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*See WC 473 for a list of common prepositions.
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Adjectives and other modifiers may
be placed between the preposition
and its object.
A preposition may have more than
one object.
The staircase leads to the crowded,
dusty attic. [adjectives added]
The staircase leads to the attic and
the roof. [two objects]
A prepositional phrase acts in the same way
an adjective or an adverb does. Used as an
adjective, a prepositional phrase modifies a
noun or a pronoun. Used as an adverb, it
modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
They used the staircase on the left.
[adjective phrase modifying the noun
staircase]
At midnight you can come
downstairs to the kitchen.
[adverb phrases modifying the verb
phrase can come.]
WC 519 – More examples
WC 520 Ex. 1-4
Appositives
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An appositive is a noun or pronoun
that is placed next to another noun
or pronoun to identify or give
additional information about it.
My friend Paulo sends me long letters
from Brazil.
[The appositive Paulo identifies the
noun friend.]
Appositive Phrases
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An appositive phrase is an appositive
plus any words that modify the
appositive.
He is living and working in Brasilla, the
capital city.
[The appositive phrase, in bold type,
identifies Brasilla.]
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Use commas to set off any
appositive or appositive phrase that
is not essential to the meaning of a
sentence.
Paulo’s brother Ernesto also lives
there. [The appositive Ernesto is
essential because Paulo has more
than one brother.]
Dora, Paulo’s only sister, lives in New
York. [The appositive phrase is not
necessary to identify Dora.]
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Usually an appositive or
appositive phrase follows the
noun or pronoun it identifies or
explains.
Occasionally an appositive
phrase precedes the noun or
pronoun.
A skilled mechanic, Paulo could
probably find work anywhere.
WC 521,522 Ex. 5-7
Verbals and Verbal Phrases
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A verbal is a verb form that
functions in a sentence as a noun,
an adjective, or an adverb.
A verbal phrase is a verbal plus
any complements and modifiers.
There are three kinds of verbals:
1.
Participles
2.
Gerunds
3.
Infinitives
All three types can be expanded into phrases.
Participles and Participial
Phrases
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A participle is a verb form that can
function as an adjective.
A present participle is made up of the
base form of the verb plus –ing: falling.
A past participle is usually made up of
the base form plus –ed: burned.
Some past participles are irregularly
formed. -en, -d, -t, -n (eaten, saved,
dealt, seen)
Participles are often used as
adjectives.
No one would eat the burned toast.
We were warned to watch out for falling
rocks.
The fallen tree blocked the winding road.
A participle may also be used as part of
a verb phrase. When a participle is part
of a verb phrase, it is not acting as
adjective.
Participle as adjectiveThe growing child was curious.
Participle in verb phraseThey saw that he was growing stronger.
A participial phrase contains a
participle plus any complements and
modifiers.
 Participial phrases can be placed in
various positions in a sentence.
We watched the best teams playing
baseball.
The badly defeated team accepted its fate
with grace.
The victors, elated by the victory, shook
hands with the losers.
Throwing their hats into the air, the fans
of the victorious team let out a great roar.
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(A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence is usually
followed by a comma.)
WC 524 Ex. 8-10
Gerunds
A gerund is a verb form that ends in
–ing and is used in the same way a noun
is used.
Eating is something I enjoy. [gerund as
subject]
My grandfather likes strolling. [gerund as
direct object]
Tony gives baking his best effort. [gerund
as indirect object]
More Gerunds
How much enthusiasm do you feel for
bowling?
[gerund as object of the preposition]
Rachel’s favorite pastime is painting.
[gerund as predicate nominative]
My hobbies, writing and reading, are
quiet activities.
[gerunds as appositives]
Gerund Phrase
A gerund phrase is a gerund plus any
complements and modifiers.
Dancing the tango is not as easy as it
looks.
Fred Astaire’s marvelous dancing will
always be considered superb.
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The difference between a present
participle and a gerund is that a
present participle is used as a verb or
an adjective and a gerund is used as a
noun.
Running around the track, Yuki felt
exhilarated. [present participle]
Running gives Yuki a sense of wellbeing. [gerund]
WC 525 Ex. 11
Infinitives
An infinitive is a verb form that is
usually preceded by the word “to” and is
used as a noun, an adjective, or an
adverb.
When you use the word to before the
base form of a verb, to is not a
preposition but part of the infinitive form
of the verb.
To stand can be uncomfortable. [infinitive
as subject]
Infants first learn to crawl. [infinitive as
direct object]
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More Infinitives
Her aim is to walk. [infinitive as
predicate nominative]
Birds have an instinct to fly. [infinitive
as adjective]
I am happy to run. [infinitive as adverb]
Infinitive Phrase
An infinitive phrase contains an
infinitive plus any complements and
modifiers.
We decided to sail across the lake.
They wanted to drive slowly around the
park.
To run in a marathon someday is my
secret ambition.
A triathlon requires athletes to train
diligently.
To complete a triathlon is a success in
itself.
WC 526,527 Ex. 12-14