Phrases

•A phrase is a group of related words that functions as a single part of speech.•A phrase does not have a subject or a verb.

I. Prepositional Phrases

• Begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun

• There are two types of prepositional phrases

I. Prepositional Phrases

1. Adjective Phrases• A prepositional phrase used to

modify a noun or a pronoun

I. Prepositional Phrases

• Adjective Phrase Example

Single Adjective

Did you see the shuttle launch?

Adjective Phrase

Did you see the launch of the shuttle?

I. Prepositional Phrases

• A single adjective and an adjective phrase answer the same questions: Which ones? and What kind?

Which one(s)?

Did you read the article about the space shuttle?

What Kind?

The launch was the first since the Challenger disaster.

I. Prepositional Phrases

• An adjective phrase usually modifies the noun or pronoun directly in front of it. Occasionally, that word will be the object of the preposition of another phrase.

Standard The new part for the shuttle has been installed.

Object of P.P.

Some of the controls in the cockpit had been damaged.

I. Prepositional Phrases

2. Adverb Phrases• An prepositional phrase used to

modify a verb, an adjective, or an adverb

I. Prepositional Phrases

• Adverb Phrase Example:

Single Adverbs

The space shuttle soared upward.

Adverb Phrases

The space shuttle soared into the stratosphere.

I. Prepositional Phrases

• A single adverb and an adverb phrase answer the same questions: Where? When? How? To What Extent? and To What Degree.

I. Prepositional PhrasesWhere? The Chinese government is building

a dam across the Yangtze River.

When? During the last ten years, many people have protested the building of this dam.

How? The construction of the dam continues at great expense.

Why? (Because) of the annual floods, the Chinese government feels the dam is justified.

I. Prepositional Phrases

• An adverb phrase modifies the whole verb phrase

• More than one adverb phrase can modify the same verb

Example:

Before long, large ships will move up the dammed river.

I. Prepositional Phrases

• Although most adverb phrases modify verbs, some modify adjectives and adverbs.

Modifying an Adjective

Not everyone was happy with the plan.

Modifying an Adverb

The effects of the dam will be felt far across China.

I. Prepositional Phrases

• Adverb Phrase Punctuation

1. No comma: With their help we finished early. (less than four words)

2. Comma: According to the latest news release, butter is better for you than margarine. (four or more words)

3. Comma: In 1879, Dr. Sylvester Graham invented graham crackers. (ends with a date)