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.

• What does the phrase modify?– She is skilled at knitting.

• What does the phrase modify?– Are the steaks good enough for eating?

• 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 mountain-

climbing.– 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.