1. Building Muscle: Phrases and Clauses (click mouse to proceed)
Grammar Boot Camp
Building Muscle:
Phrases and Clauses
(click mouse to proceed)

2. Your Mission: To Study Phrases To Study Clauses
To Exercise your Writing Muscles
This presentation is enhanced with “Question and Answer” slides. To access, simply click on the words that are highlighted and underlined.

3. What is a Phrase?
A phrase is a group of related words that does not contain a subject and a verb.
Common Phrases:
Prepositional Phrases
Infinitive Phrases
Participial Phrases
Gerund Phrases

4. Prepositional Phrase
Begins with a preposition (in, on, under, over, around, of, about, through, etc.)
Followed by an object and any modifiers
Functions as an adjective or adverb

5. Examples of Prepositional Phrase
The cadets marched through the woods.
“through” is the preposition
“the” is the modifier for the object “woods”
functions as an adverb
Everyone in the class wrote an essay.
“in” is the preposition
“the” is the modifier for the object “class”
functions as an adjective

6. Infinitive Phrase Begins with an infinitive: “to” + verb
Followed by an object and any modifiers
Functions as a noun, adjective or adverb

7. Examples of Infinitive Phrase
1. To exercise every day is a good habit.
“to exercise” is the infinitive
“every” is the modifier for the object “day”
Functions as a noun
2. I was relieved to finish my project.
“to finish” is the infinitive
“my” is the modifier for the object “project”
Functions as an adjective

8. Participial Phrase
Begins with a participle: verb ending in “-ed,” “-en,” or “-ing”
Followed by an object and any modifiers
Functions as an adjective

9. Examples of Participial Phrase
1. The marine biologist, diving near a reef, saw a shark.
“diving” is the participle
“near a” are the modifiers for the object “reef”
Functions as an adjective
2. Known for her patience, Mrs. Garcia was his favorite teacher.
“known” is the participle
“for her” are the modifiers for the object “patience”

10. Gerund Phrase Begins with a gerund: verb ending in “-ing”
Followed by object and any modifiers
Functions as a noun

11. Examples of Gerund Phrase
1. Marching in unison builds teamwork.
“marching” is the gerund
“in” is the modifier for the object “unison”
Functions as a noun
2. The student enjoys taking morning classes.
“taking” is the gerund
“morning” is the modifier for the object “classes”

12. What is a Clause?
A clause is a group of related words that contains both a subject and a verb.
Two Types of Clauses:
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause

13. Independent Clause Contains a subject and a verb
Makes a complete statement
Can stand alone

14. Examples of Independent Clause
1. Del Mar is a community college.
“Del Mar” is the subject
“is” is the verb
“a community college” completes the thought
2. The Writing Center offers a variety of services.
“The Writing Center” is the subject
“offers” is the verb
“a variety of services” completes the thought

15. Dependent Clause after who although whom as that relative pronouns
Contains a subject and a verb
Does not make a complete statement
Cannot Stand Alone
Begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun:
after who
although whom
as that relative pronouns
because which
before subordinating conjunctions whose if
since
until
when

16. Examples of Dependent Clause
1. Because the student prepared for the exam, she answered all of the questions correctly.
“because” is the subordinating conjunction
“the student” is the subject
“prepared” is the verb
“for the exam” completes the dependent clause
2. The uniform that I am required to wear is green and brown.
“that” is the relative pronoun
“I” is the subject
“am” is the verb
“required to wear” completes the dependent clause

17. Exercise Your Muscles: Phrases
Identify the type of phrase in the following:
Being an excellent cook, Ryan hosted a dinner party.
To be elected president is his objective.
The puppy chased the kitten around the house.
Hoisting the sail correctly is a critical component of yachting.

18. Answer Key: Identify the type of phrase in the following:
Being an excellent cook, Ryan hosted a dinner party. Participial Phrase
To be elected president is his objective. Infinitive Phrase
The puppy chased the kitten around the house. Prepositional Phrase
Hoisting the sail correctly is a critical component of yachting. Gerund Phrase

19. Exercise Your Muscles: Clauses
Identify the type of clause in the following:
I walk my dog every day.
Because he is a teacher.
As the soccer player scored the winning goal.
Zeke hit his thumb with a hammer.

20. Answer Key: Identify the type of clause in the following:
I walk my dog every day. Independent
Because he is a teacher. Dependent
As the soccer player scored the winning goal. Dependent
Zeke hit his thumb with a hammer. Independent

21. Congratulations!
You have successfully completed Building Muscle: Phrases and Clauses of Grammar Boot Camp.
Sign up for the other sessions of Grammar Boot Camp at the Stone Writing Center’s Website: .