Phrases Objectives Identify functions and uses of phrases

Phrases Objectives: • Identify functions and uses of phrases • Set foundation for study of formal English usage • Improve writing skills

A. Phrases • Definition: A phrase is a group of words without both a subject and a verb.

1. Appositive • Definition: An appositive is a word or group of words used to explain a noun or pronoun set beside it.

HELPFUL HINT • An appositive is usually set off from the rest of the sentence with commas.

Examples of appositives • The boy, a sophomore at CCHS, is a genius. • La. Var sacked the QB, a veteran of ten years in the NFL.

Try This • Tyler is dating Tiffany, a junior at Mac. Arthur. Appositive = a junior at Mac. Arthur • Anthony, only a sophomore, is starting at QB for the varsity. Appositive = only a sophomore

2. Prepositional • Definition: A prepositional phrase consists of all the words from the preposition to its noun or pronoun [or noun substitute] object.

Examples of prepositional phrases • The teacher placed the Drano in his desk. • Erik drove the car off the road.

3. Verbals • Definition: A verbal is a word that is derived from a verb but is used as an adjective, adverb, or noun rather than as a verb.

a. participles • Definition: A participle is word derived from a verb; it ends in d, ed, n, en, t, ing and in is used as an adjective.

Examples of participles • broken window • dancing bear • fumbled punt • Marching into the stadium, the band thrilled the crowd.

HELPFUL HINT • All introductory participial phrases take commas at the end of the phrase; the very next noun in the sentence is the person or thing “doing” the action of the participle. • If the noun immediately following the comma is NOT the person or thing “doing” the action of the participle, that participle is called a “dangling participle” or a “dangler. ”

Examples Lecturing on the impact of the Civil War, the teacher maintained her students’ attention. Teacher is the person lecturing. Developed for use in space, Tang proved to be a popular drink on Earth. Tang was developed for use in space.

Examples • Carrying a heavy pile of books, her foot caught on the step. • After working in the yard all day, little strength remained for dancing. • Riding in the Jeep around Africa, the elephant was seen by us all.

Try This • Driving up the steep hill, the engine stalled. • Caught cheating on the test, the student received a zero. • Searching for lost keys, the missing wallet was found.

b. gerunds • Definition: A gerund is word derived from a verb that is used as a noun; it ends only in –ing.

b. gerunds • Gerunds are used in the same basic 4 ways that nouns are used: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, and object of the preposition.

Examples of gerunds As S = Swimming is an excellent for of exercise. As PN = Jane’s hobby is sewing. As DO = Chris hates writing essays. As OP = We lost the game by fumbling the ball 6 times.

Try This Are the highlighted verbals participles or gerunds? 1. Talking with friends, I asked whether any of them had ever been to the Alamo Bowl. 2. Torn with indecision, the young freshman failed to turn in his schedule request. 3. Sitting in the sun for 3 hours gave Gina a headache. 4. You can receive help by dialing 911.

b. infinitives • Definition: An infinitive is formed by adding the word to to a present-tense verb; it can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

Examples of infinitive phrases • The receiver tried to catch the pass before he went out of bounds. • Anthony went to the store to buy some Cheetos.

Lesson Review Name the type of phrase that is highlighted below: 1. We walked around the block. 2. The event, new to most Americans, is called Festivus. 3. Drenched by the rain, the girl changed into drier clothes. 4. Most students dislike reading long, boring novels. 5. Yoda told Luke to use The Force wisely. 6. Typing furiously to complete the essay, the computer froze, and the information was lost.