Phrases and commas Phrases are groups of words that work as one part of speech.

The Prepositional Phrase Begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (the object of a preposition) Remember, phrases are groups of words that work together as one part of speech- prepositional phrases work as adjectives or adverbs

Some commonly used preposition are… In For By Through From Out During Before After Under Around Along With Before But (meaning except) Near

Adjective and Adverb Prepositional Phrases Adjective Phrases Adjective Phrases always come after words they modify. They cannot begin sentences. They describe a noun or pronoun in the sentence Adverb Phrases Adverb phrases can start sentences. If a prepositional phrase begins a sentence, it is adverb. Answer the questions where, when, why, how, to what extent.

Adjective phrases The phrases are in the greenish color and the words they modify are blue. My grandparents have several bottles of vitamins. My friend gave me a note about her boyfriend. The highways of southern California tend to be a little congested. I am a friend of a friend.

Adverb phrases The phrases are in the greenish color. Find the words they modify. The mole burrowed under the lawn. The baby speaks quite clearly for a two-year- old. In the first inning she pitched with great control. He glanced out the window.

Commas for introductory prepositional phrases: Use a comma after two or more introductory prepositional phrases. By the light of the moon, we went on an old-fashioned hayride. A single introductory prepositional phrase does not need commas unless it is unclear. In the book the writer develops a clever plot. In the book, review pages In the book review, the critic praised the writer’s plot.

Gerunds and Participles Gerunds Gerunds are verb forms that end in “ing” and act as nouns Running is my favorite sport. This is the best hill for skiing. Reading will increase your vocabulary Participles Participles are verb forms that end in either “ing” or “ed” and act as adjectives I am in a spinning class. The startled burglar left in a hurry. Checking the oil, my father got all dirty.

Gerund Phrases Making a gerund into a phrase is just adding modifiers to the gerund. Running is my favorite sport. Running in cross country is my favorite sport Watching TV will cause you to eat less broccoli. A gerund phrase is usually a gerund followed by prepositional phrases. Giving during the holidays is much easier than other times. The sudden shattering of glass broke the silence.

Participial Phrases Making a participle into a participial phrase is the same as with gerunds. We watched the wind blowing. We watched the wind blowing in the trees. Voted back into office, the mayor thanked her supporters. A participial phrase is generally a participle followed by prepositional phrases. Unlike adjective prep phrases and clauses, participial phrases can begin sentences.

Commas with gerunds and participles There is no rule with commas and gerunds or gerund phrases. Introductory participial phrases must be followed by commas Calling for a timeout, the referee blew her whistle. Participial phrases that interrupt the sentence should also be separated by commas Another member of the group, leaving the camp at night, was attacked by a bear.

Infinitive Phrases Infinitive phrases are verb forms that are usually preceded by the word to. The assignment is to write an observational essay. To accomplish this goal meant a lot of hard work. He is able to read 100 pages in 10 minutes. I was eager to leave Newbury Park for college. There are no rules regarding infinitives and commas.

Appositive Phrases An appositive is a noun or pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it. An appositive phrase is made up of an appositive and its modifiers We saw three birds, two robins and a cardinal. A diligent and quick-witted student, Mark always gets good grades. The Brooklyn Bridge, a remarkable feat of design, is across the East River.

Appositives and commas Appositives are almost always separated from the rest of the sentence with commas. Appositives are interrupters by definition. The only time appositives are not set off by commas is if the noun is closely related to the noun it’s modifying and is essential. My brother Matt has the cutest son. [I have more than one brother] Have you ever seen the movie Home Alone? [specifies the particular movie]

General Comma Rules Include commas: Items in a series I’ll have steak, a baked potato, and a water. Multiple adjectives describing the same word. She gave an eloquent, graceful speech. With a conjunction to separate two independent clauses Bob brought charcoal and lighter fluid, but he forgot the matches

More rules… To set off non-essential phrases and clauses Sets off non-essential adjective clauses and participial phrases. Kellye, waiting outside the door, got an autograph. After introductory elements After well, yes, no, and interjections not set off by an exclamation point After an introductory participial phrase After two or more intro prep phrases After an intro adverb clause Interrupters Appositive phrases Words like however, after all, nevertheless, etc. (list on 806)