1. Hierarchy of Word Units
Phrase
Clause
Simple sentence
Complex sentence
Compound sentence
Compound-complex sentence

2. Words
We’re all very familiar with single words at this point of our academic careers, I hope!
Onto the next slide…

3. Phrase A group of words that stand together as a single unit
Usually part of a clause or sentence
Does NOT contain a subject and a verb
Does NOT express a complete thought

4. Examples of Phrases believing in Santa Claus my mother
saddened by the news
in a department store

5. How Words and Phrases Function in a Sentence
Sometimes a word or phrase appears to be a verb when, in fact, it’s something else.
It’s important to look at the function that a word or phrase plays in a sentence before determining its part of speech.

6. 3 Types of Phrases participial phrases gerund phrases
prepositional phrases

7. A Participial Phrase Is a Verb Form That…
Acts like an adjective in a sentence
Describes nouns/pronouns in the sentence
Ends with –ing, –ed, -en

8. Examples of Participial Phrases
Shivering, the couple ran out of the building.
The sobbing child held his injured knee.
Stir the beaten eggs into the batter.
Injured during the soccer match, Marco had to leave the field.
Identify the noun each participial is describing in each sentence.

9. Find the participial words and phrases.
Leaping into the air, the dancer thrilled the audience.
Smiling, I opened my birthday present.
I shook the wrapped gift before opening it.
I refused to eat the burned potatoes.

10. Find the participial words and phrases.
Leaping into the air, the dancer thrilled the audience.
Smiling, I opened my birthday present.
I shook the wrapped gift before opening it.
I refused to eat the burned potatoes.

11. Prepositional Phrases
Begin with a preposition
End with an object of the preposition
Show the relationship between two things or objects

12. Examples of Prepositional Phrases
under the bridge
behind the sofa
next to the bookcase
in front of me
to Matthew
from my grandmom
for Jessie

13. Frequently-Used Prepositions

14. Gerund Phrases Different from participial phrases!
Act as NOUNS, not as adjectives
End with -ing

15. Examples of Gerund Phrases
Biting one’s nails is a bad habit. (What THING is a bad habit?)
Bernie hates eating liver and onions. (What does Bernie hate?)
Studying nightly is a good idea. (What’s a good idea?)

16. Clauses Contain a subject and a verb Express a complete thought
Can be dependent or independent

17. Independent Clauses Also called MAIN clauses Can stand on their own
Are complete sentences
Ex.– John threw the ball.

18. Dependent Clauses Also called subordinate clauses
CANNOT stand on their own
Are fragments that begin with SUBORDINATORS

19. Examples of Dependent Clauses
When John threw the ball
If John throws the ball
Because John threw the ball
Until John throws the ball

20. Frequently-Used Subordinators

21. Clauses Can Act Like Adverbs, Adjectives, and Nouns
Sometimes a clause can serve as (or function as) an adverb by telling how Joe walked, to what extent he walked, where he walked, or when he walked.
Or a clause can describe a noun and act like an adjective.
A clause might even function as a noun in a sentence.

22. Dependent clauses can act like ADVERBS.
Called ADVERB CLAUSES
Tell how someone does something
Tell to what extent
Tell where
Tell when
Tell why

23. Examples of Adverb Clauses
Tom scrubbed until his arms ached.
Dana cooked eggs because she could easily chew them.
Our dog barked once he heard Dad’s car pull into the garage.
Hide the gifts wherever the children won’t look for them.

24. Dependent clauses can act like ADJECTIVES.
Called ADJECTIVE CLAUSES
Provide a description
Begin with relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, that, which or with relative adverbs: when, where, why

25. Dependent clauses can act like ADJECTIVES.
They tell:
What kind
How many
Which one

26. Examples of ADJECTIVE CLAUSES
Broccoli, which people often leave uneaten, is very nutritious.
The vegetables that kids won’t eat are often the most healthy.
Never go to a doctor whose plants have died.
Grandpa remembers the old days when there was no television.
What’s being described in each sentence?

27. Noun Clauses Are Dependent Clauses That…
Act as nouns
Begin with words like how, that, what, whatever, when, whether, which, whichever, who, whomever, why
Can act as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of the preposition, or predicate nominatives

28. Examples of Noun Clauses
Whoever thought of this is a genius. (subject)
On weekends, we can do whatever we want. (direct object)
Choose a gift for whomever you want. (object of the preposition)
The focus of the report is how students learn best. (predicate nominative for linking verb is)
Always give whichever audience you perform for a great show. (indirect object)