Types of PhrasesTypes of Phrases

““To be or not to be,To be or not to be,

that is the question.that is the question.””

HamletHamlet, by William , by William ShakespeareShakespeare

What is a phrase?What is a phrase?

A phrase is a group of related words A phrase is a group of related words that acts as a single part of speech. that acts as a single part of speech.

By using phrases effectively and By using phrases effectively and placing them properly, you can make placing them properly, you can make your writing clearer and more your writing clearer and more descriptive.descriptive.

““To be or not to beTo be or not to be”” is an example of is an example of just one of many types of phrases. just one of many types of phrases.

Types of PhrasesTypes of Phrases

Verb PhrasesVerb Phrases Prepositional Prepositional

PhrasesPhrases Appositive PhrasesAppositive Phrases Participial PhrasesParticipial Phrases Gerund PhrasesGerund Phrases Infinitive PhrasesInfinitive Phrases

Verb PhrasesVerb Phrases

Verb Phrases are formed when verbs Verb Phrases are formed when verbs are joined by auxiliary verbs, also are joined by auxiliary verbs, also called helping verbs. called helping verbs.

A verb phrase may be used to express A verb phrase may be used to express a particular tense of a verb or to a particular tense of a verb or to indicate that an action is directed at indicate that an action is directed at the subject. the subject. Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet mightmight never never have methave met if not for if not for the party at Julietthe party at Juliet’’s house.s house.Both Romeo and JulietBoth Romeo and Juliet’’s actions s actions are drivenare driven by their by their passion for each other.passion for each other.

Prepositional PhrasesPrepositional Phrases

A prepositional phrase A prepositional phrase consists of a consists of a preposition, its preposition, its objects, and any objects, and any modifiers of the modifiers of the object. object.

There are many kinds There are many kinds of loveof love..

Romeo and Juliet take Romeo and Juliet take their love their love to the to the extremeextreme..

Adjective and Adverb PhrasesAdjective and Adverb Phrases

An adjective prepositional phrase An adjective prepositional phrase modifies a noun or a pronoun.modifies a noun or a pronoun.There are many kinds There are many kinds of loveof love..

Like an adverb, an adverb Like an adverb, an adverb prepositional phrase modifies a verb, prepositional phrase modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.an adjective, or another adverb.Romeo and Juliet take their love Romeo and Juliet take their love to the to the extremeextreme..

LetLet’’s Practice …s Practice …

1.1. The students are The students are studying the play in studying the play in their English class.their English class.

2.2. Some are confused Some are confused by Shakespeareby Shakespeare’’s use s use of older-style English.of older-style English.

3.3. The teacher should The teacher should have given them have given them some more guidance some more guidance on reading his poetry.on reading his poetry.

4.4. Many had heard Many had heard before of the tragic before of the tragic tale.tale.

LetLet’’s Practice …s Practice …

1.1. The students The students are are studyingstudying the play the play in in their English classtheir English class..

2.2. Some Some are confusedare confused by Shakespeareby Shakespeare’’s uses use of older-style Englishof older-style English..

3.3. The teacher The teacher should should have givenhave given them them some more guidance some more guidance on reading his poetryon reading his poetry..

4.4. Many Many had heardhad heard before before of the tragic of the tragic taletale..

Why It Matters In WritingWhy It Matters In Writing

Inexperienced writers sometimes confuse readers Inexperienced writers sometimes confuse readers by putting prepositional phrases in the wrong by putting prepositional phrases in the wrong places in their sentences. Think about how the places in their sentences. Think about how the placement of the prepositional phrase affects the placement of the prepositional phrase affects the meaning of the following sentences:meaning of the following sentences:

Brockton Kennels sells retriever puppies to Brockton Kennels sells retriever puppies to loving families with vaccinations.loving families with vaccinations.

Golden retrievers are valued for their Golden retrievers are valued for their eagerness eagerness

to work by hunters.to work by hunters.

Fix These Problem SentencesFix These Problem Sentences

1.1. Sporting dogs and hounds Sporting dogs and hounds are the types of dogs for are the types of dogs for hunting with the most hunting with the most talent.talent.

2.2. The stamina of a The stamina of a Chesapeake Bay retriever Chesapeake Bay retriever allows it to swim when allows it to swim when retrieving ducks for a long retrieving ducks for a long time.time.

3.3. With its water-resistant fur, a With its water-resistant fur, a hunter is glad to have a hunter is glad to have a Labrador retriever to swim Labrador retriever to swim out and bring back ducks.out and bring back ducks.

4.4. A pointer holds up a front A pointer holds up a front leg at the scent of a quail leg at the scent of a quail with the paw pointed down.with the paw pointed down.

5.5. Irish water spaniels are Irish water spaniels are funny-looking dogs with tufts funny-looking dogs with tufts over their faces of curly hair.over their faces of curly hair.

6.6. With their noses to the With their noses to the ground, rabbits leave a scent ground, rabbits leave a scent that basset hounds are good that basset hounds are good at tracking.at tracking.

Fix These Problem SentencesFix These Problem Sentences

1.1. Sporting dogs and hounds Sporting dogs and hounds are the types of dogs with are the types of dogs with the most talent for hunting.the most talent for hunting.

2.2. The stamina of a The stamina of a Chesapeake Bay retriever Chesapeake Bay retriever allows it to swim for a long allows it to swim for a long time when retrieving ducks.time when retrieving ducks.

3.3. A hunter is glad to have a A hunter is glad to have a Labrador retriever with its Labrador retriever with its water-resistant fur to swim water-resistant fur to swim out and bring back ducks.out and bring back ducks.

4.4. A pointer holds up a front A pointer holds up a front leg with the paw pointed leg with the paw pointed down at the scent of a down at the scent of a quail.quail.

5.5. Irish water spaniels are Irish water spaniels are funny-looking dogs with tufts funny-looking dogs with tufts of curly hair over their faces.of curly hair over their faces.

6.6. Rabbits leave a scent that Rabbits leave a scent that basset hounds, with their basset hounds, with their noses to the ground, are noses to the ground, are good at tracking.good at tracking.

Appositives & Appositive Phrases

• An appositive is a noun or pronoun that identifies or renames another noun or pronoun.

• An appositive phrase is made up of an appositive plus its modifiers.

• Gail Devers, a champion sprinter, was born in Seattle in 1966.

• Barcelona, a large city in Spain, hosted the Olympics in 1992.

Essential Appositives• An essential appositive is an

appositive that provides information that is needed to identify the preceding noun or pronoun.

• It is sometimes called a restrictive appositive.

The American sprinter Gail Devers won an Olympic gold medal in the 100-meter dash in 1992.

• Note that NO COMMAS are needed with an essential appositive.

Nonessential Appositives

• A nonessential appositive adds information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence in which the meaning is already clear.

• It is also called a nonrestrictive appositive.

• Nonessential appositives are set off with commas.

Devers, a survivor of Graves’ disease, overcame many obstacles to achieve athletic success.

Let’s Practice …- circle the appositive; underline the app.

phrase1. Wilma Rudolph, another

champion sprinter, also overcame a disability.

2. Rudolph was born with the disease polio.

3. Rudolph, a determined child, ignored doctors’ predictions about never being able to walk again.

4. A basketball star at age 13, she was known for her speed.

5. The coach Edward Temple invited her to a track camp.

6. In 1956, Rudolph, only a 16-year-old, made the U.S. Olympic team.

7. She and three other women, members of the women’s 400-meter relay team, won a bronze medal.

8. Four years later, Rudolph achieved her greatest personal triumph, three gold medals in a single Olympics.

How Did You Do?1. Wilma Rudolph, another

champion sprinter, also overcame a disability.

2. Rudolph was born with the disease polio.

3. Rudolph, a determined child, ignored doctors’ predictions about never being able to walk again.

4. A basketball star at age 13, she was known for her speed.

5. The coach Edward Temple invited her to a track camp.

6. In 1956, Rudolph, only a 16-year-old, made the U.S. Olympic team.

7. She and three other women, members of the women’s 400-meter relay team, won a bronze medal.

8. Four years later, Rudolph achieved her greatest personal triumph, three gold medals in a single Olympics.

Verbals

• A verbal is a verb form that acts as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. They DO NOT act as the verb/simple predicate in the sentence.

• There are three types of verbals:1. Participles (adjectives)2. Gerunds (nouns)3. Infinitives (nouns, adjectives,

and adverbs)

Participial Phrases

Played for more than 100 years, high school football has a rich tradition. Large crowds attend games featuring rival high schools.

• A participle is a verb form that acts as an adjective.

• There are two kinds: past and present participles.

• A participial phrase consists of a participle plus its modifiers.

Some Literary Examples From Robert Cormier’s The Chocolate War:

“The coach looked like an old gangster: broken nose, a scar on his cheek, a stitched shoestring.”

“Inhaling the sweet sharp apple air through his nostrils - he was afraid to open his mouth wide, wary of any movement that was not absolutely essential –- he walked tentatively toward the sidelines, listening to the coach barking at the other guys.”

Let’s Practice …- underline the participial phrase

1. In many parts of the country, steadily declining interest has damaged high school football.

2. Preferring soccer or basketball, many students do not sign up for football.

3. Parents concerned about football injuries suggest other sports.

4. Reacting to a lack of interest, school officials have cut football funds.

5. Remaining popular in many urban areas, however, high school football won’t be dying out anytime soon.

How Did You Do?

1. In many parts of the country, steadily declining interest has damaged high school football.

2. Preferring soccer or basketball, many students do not sign up for football.

3. Parents concerned about football injuries suggest other sports.

4. Reacting to a lack of interest, school officials have cut football funds.

5. Remaining popular in many urban areas, however, high school football won’t be dying out anytime soon.

Why It Matters In Writing• Many writers have trouble placing participial phrases in

sentences. Putting words in the wrong place can result in a misplaced or dangling phrase that will confuse the reader. This is often called a dangling participle.

• A misplaced participial phrase is closer to some other noun than it is to the noun it actually modifies.

Beginning in the 1890’s, Thanksgiving Day was when top high school football teams from different regions paired off in major games.

Responding to changes in the rules of football, the forward pass was used more often in high school games in the 1920’s.

Make the Needed Corrections

treatment. She was tackled by large opposing players kicking extra points. Katie was not ready to give up the game after high school. Determined to play college football, Katie’s mother gave her full support.

A high school in Colorado had a homecoming queen who played football. There was a special ceremony at halftime of the homecoming game. Queen Katie smiled for the photographers taking off her helmet. Accepting a white rose, the crowd loudly cheered. Katie enjoyed the ceremony, but she was prouder of her performance on the field. With the game on the line, a field goal sailed through the goal posts kicked by Katie. During her four years on the team, Katie played well without receiving any special

How Did You Fix These?treatment. She was tackled by large opposing players kicking extra points. Katie was not ready to give up the game after high school. Determined to play college football, Katie’s mother gave her full support.

A high school in Colorado had a homecoming queen who played football. There was a special ceremony at halftime of the homecoming game. Queen Katie smiled for the photographers taking off her helmet. Accepting a white rose, the crowd loudly cheered. Katie enjoyed the ceremony, but she was prouder of her performance on the field. With the game on the line, a field goal sailed through the goal posts kicked by Katie. During her four years on the team, Katie played well without receiving any special

Gerund Phrases

• A gerund is a verb form that ends in ing and acts as a noun.

• A gerund phrase consists of a gerund plus its modifiers.She loves swimming.She loves swimming in the ocean.

Next morning, when it was time for the routine of swimming and sunbathing, his mother said, “Are you tired of the usual beach, Jerry? Would you like to go somewhere else?”- Doris Lessing, “Through the Tunnel”

Functions of Gerund Phrases

Subject Swimming competitively requires lots of practice.

Object of a Preposition

Jeff got in shape by swimming at the YMCA.

Direct Object Mr. Kroesche coaches high school swimming.

Indirect Object Tamera gave competitive swimming a try.

Predicate Nominative Tamera’s specialty is swimming the backstroke.

Let’s Practice …- underline the gerund phrase

3. Morales learned quickly, and soon he started winning junior championships.

4. Competing in the 1984 Olympics brought him one gold medal and two silver medals.

1. Pablo Morales became known as the comeback kid of Olympic swimming.

2. One of the goals of Morales’ mother was having her children learn to swim at an early age.

5. Morales surprised everyone by failing to qualify in 1988.

6. He touched people’s hearts by making a comeback and winning a gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly in the 1992 Olympics.

How Did You Do?

3. Morales learned quickly, and soon he started winning junior championships.

4. Competing in the 1984 Olympics brought him one gold medal and two silver medals.

1. Pablo Morales became known as the comeback kid of Olympic swimming.

2. One of the goals of Morales’ mother was having her children learn to swim at an early age.

5. Morales surprised everyone by failing to qualify in 1988.

6. He touched people’s hearts by making a comeback and winning a gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly in the 1992 Olympics.

Infinitive Phrases• And we’re finally back to

Shakespeare, “To be or not to be, that is the question.”

• An infinitive is a verb form, usually beginning with the word to, that can act as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

• An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus its modifiers and complements.

Uses of Infinitive Phrases

Noun To win tournaments on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour is the goal of top women golfers.

Adjective In 1998, Se Ri Pak became the youngest player to win the U.S. Women’s Open golf championship.

Adverb To become a champion golfer, Pak spent many hours practicing in her native land of South Korea.

Let’s Practice …- underline the infinitive phrase

1. Tiger Woods was the first person of African-American descent to win a major tournament in men’s professional golf.

2. To overcome golf’s history of discrimination was no easy task.

3. Woods is determined to help other persons of color become golf stars.

4. To turn his dreams into reality, he founded a charitable organization, the Tiger Woods Foundation in 1997.

How Did You Do?1. Tiger Woods was the first

person of African-American descent to win a major tournament in men’s professional golf.

2. To overcome golf’s history of discrimination was no easy task.

3. Woods is determined to help other persons of color become golf stars.

4. To turn his dreams into reality, he founded a charitable organization, the Tiger Woods Foundation, in 1997.

Why It Matters In Writing

• Using infinitive phrases, you can combine sentences in a way that eliminates unnecessary words and sharpens the relationship between ideas.

Try Combining These …

1. Golfers use many different types of clubs during a tournament. Different clubs are needed to hit good shots.

2. Hale Irwin has displayed incredible skill. He has won the U.S. Open three times.

3. Hale Irwin must have amazing physical endurance. He has won tournaments for 30 years.

4. He had weeks of outstanding play on the Senior Tour. He earned nearly $3 million in one year.

How Did You Do?

1. Golfers use many different types of clubs to hit good shots during a tournament.

2. Hale Irwin has displayed incredible skill to win the U.S. Open three times.

3. Hale Irwin must have amazing physical endurance to win tournaments for 30 years.

4. He had weeks of outstanding play on the Senior Tour to earn nearly $3 million in one year.

Be careful …• It is easy to confuse

infinitives with prepositional phrases, since both can begin with to.

• Remember that an infinitive is to + a verb; a prepositional phrase is to + an object (noun or pronoun).She wanted to eat some delicious ice cream, so she went to the grocery store.

Let’s Practice …- underline prep. phrase; circle inf.

phrase1. The students were

excited to work on their group project.

2. They walked to the library so they could complete their research.

3. While there, they were able to divide up the work evenly.

4. They later returned to their homes to complete the work.

5. They finally presented their project to the class.

How Did You Do?(prep. phrases are italicized)

1. The students were excited to work on their group project.

2. They walked to the library so they could complete their research.

3. While there, they were able to divide up the work evenly.

4. They later returned to their homes to complete the work.

5. They finally presented their project to the class.