Phrases
Jordan Galle
Prepositional Phrases:
- A preposition plus it's object and modifiers
- Some common prepositions: to, around, under, over, like, as, behind, with, outside
- Could function as adjectives or adverbs
Adjective Phrase:
- A form of a prepositional phrase
- Can modify a noun, pronoun, noun phrase, or noun clause
- Tell which one, what kind, how many, or how much
- Ex. The boy with the crazy hair is funny.
Adverb Phrase:
- A form of a prepositional phrase
- Can modify a verb, adjective, adverb, adverb phrase, or adverb clause
- Tell how, when, where, why, to what extent, or under what condition
- Ex. Joe is running outside the playground.
Infinitive Phrase:
- The word 'to' plus a verb
- Can function as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns
- Ex. Kaylee went to school to study medicine.
Appositive Phrase
- Renames or identifies a noun or pronoun
- When it adds nonessential information, it is set off by commas.
- Ex. Mrs. Schneider, my teacher who likes to growl, teaches us about phrases.
Participial Phrase:
- A verb form (past or present)
- Functions like an adjective
- A participle plus it's modifiers
- Ex. Running for her life, Sarah sprinted away from the tiger.
Gerund:
- An '-ing' verb form
- Functions as a noun
- The gerund plus it's modifiers
- Can be many parts of the sentence (subject, direct object, predicate nominative, object of the preposition, indirect object)
- Ex. Reading the newspaper is not my favorite pastime.
Absolute Phrase:
- A group of words including a noun or pronoun, an 'ing' or 'ed' verb form, and any modifiers
- Modify the whole sentence instead of just a part
- Always set off with commas
- Ex. Heart pounding, palms sweating, knees shaking, the man proposed to his soon to be wife.