All about Phrases

PHRASES Types of Phrases Noun Phrase Verb Phrase Gerund Phrase Infinitive Phrase Participial Phrase Prepositional Phrase Absolute Phrase Appositive

PHRASES Noun Phrase Verb Phrase Basic Phrases Gerund Phrase Infinitive Phrase Participial Phrase Prepositional Phrase Absolute Phrase Appositive

PHRASES Gerund Phrase Infinitive Phrase Participial Phrase Verbal Phrases Noun Phrase Verb Phrase Gerund Phrase Infinitive Phrase Participial Phrase Prepositional Phrase Absolute Phrase Appositive

PHRASES a noun with modifiers includes articles and other adjectives Noun Phrases a noun with modifiers includes articles and other adjectives

PHRASES Noun Phrase Examples water a new book incredibly good fortune

PHRASES a verb includes auxiliary (helping) verbs and adverbs Verb Phrases a verb includes auxiliary (helping) verbs and adverbs

PHRASES go could have gone might have very quickly went Verb Phrase Examples go could have gone might have very quickly went

Verbals

These phrases act as nouns or modifiers There are three verbal phrases These phrases act as nouns or modifiers

Gerund Phrase Participial phrase Infinitive Phrase

VERBAL PHRASES use the "~ing" form of a verb act as nouns Gerund Phrases use the "~ing" form of a verb act as nouns can be replaced by pronouns can appear in the subject or direct-object positions in a sentence

VERBAL PHRASES Studying English is easy. Gerund Phrases Studying English is easy. However, you may not enjoy understanding English. It is easy. However, you may not enjoy it.

VERBAL PHRASES act as modifiers can modify subjects or whole sentences Participial Phrases act as modifiers can modify subjects or whole sentences may appear in present ("~ing") or past ("~ed") form can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence are set off from the main clause by commas

VERBAL PHRASES Participial Phrases Pulling hard on his leash, Ponta eagerly started his walk. Confused by the loud sounds, Ponta started barking.

VERBAL PHRASES Frightened by the loud sounds, Ponta started barking. Participial Phrases Frightened by the loud sounds, Ponta started barking. Ponta, frightened by the loud sounds, started barking. Ponta started barking, frightened by the loud sounds.

VERBAL PHRASES Participial Phrases Participial Phrases can also modify predicates and objects, and do not use commas in that case: He was able to open the door using his key. (modifies predicate) He bought a necklace made of gold. (modifies object)

and participial phrases are commonly mistaken for each other Gerund phrases and participial phrases are commonly mistaken for each other because both use the -ing form of the verb.

“I am excited!” “I am exciting!”

Gerund vs. Participial Phrases VERBAL PHRASES Gerund vs. Participial Phrases Gerund Phrases: act as nouns appear in a noun position can be replaced with pronouns Participial Phrases: act as modifiers can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence are usually separated from the main sentence by commas

VERBAL PHRASES Infinitive Phrases

VERBAL PHRASES use "to" + the base form of the verb Infinitive Phrases use "to" + the base form of the verb can act either as a noun or as a modifier

VERBAL PHRASES George wants to pass the test tomorrow. (noun) Infinitive Phrases George wants to pass the test tomorrow. (noun) His plan to cheat is a bad idea, however. (modifier)

prepositional PHRASES modify based upon time, place, cause, and manner. are made up of a preposition and a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase These nouns are called objects of the preposition Prepositions are often unique and used differently, case by case; they require a great amount of study and practice and cannot be understood with a simple rule, or used creatively as you like.

prepositional PHRASES You must be careful to place the prepositional phrase close to the words it modifies so you can avoid confusion: We will talk about the problem of cheating in my office. x In my office, we will talk about the problem of cheating.  o We will talk in my office about the problem of cheating. o

Appositive PHRASES a double noun phrase which clarifies or adds extra information about the noun can be essential or non-essential essential appositives use no comma non-essential appositives use commas

Appositive PHRASES My brother, Tito, moved back to America last year. I went to see Spielberg's new movie Lincoln last night. I told my brother Tito that I will be visiting for Christmas. I told my brother, Tito, that I will be visiting for Christmas.

Absolute PHRASES a noun phrase followed by either a prepositional phrase or a participial phrase act as modifiers usually are separated by commas often describe something which clarifies a situation or sets an emotional tone

Absolute PHRASES Billy left for the candy store. Ten dollars in his pocket, Billy left for the candy store. Marsha waited by the front door. Marsha waited by the front door, her suitcase packed and ready. Bruce spoke to the girl sitting next to him. His wedding ring in his pocket, Bruce spoke to the girl sitting next to him.