Phrases

Please carefully read this information to fill out your notes sheet section labeled "Phrases."

What is a phrase?
A phrase is a group of two or more words that do NOT contain a subject and a verb. A phrase only contains a subject OR a verb. Therefore, a phrase CANNOT stand alone as a complete sentence. They need additional sentence parts to be complete.

Phrase Types
There are many different types of phrases:

• Noun phrase=functions as a subject, object, or compliment; made up of a noun and its modifiers
• A good teacher explains things clearly.
• We adopted an old, scruffy cat.
• Verb phrase=a collection of verbs (linking, helper, and auxiliary) functioning as one.
• I had been walking for an hour.
• Julia was leaving for work when he called.
• Prepositional phrases (adverbial and adjectival)=a phrase made up of a preposition and its object.
• Adverbial prepositional phrases function as adverbs in the sentence (modify a verb)
• Mark jumped over the bench. (Describes/modifies the verb "jumped.")
• Adjectival prepositional phrases function as adjectives in the sentence (modify a noun)
• The spider on the table scared me! (Describes the spider--tells which one).
• Gerund phrases=a phrase that starts with an -ing verb and functions as a noun.
• Going to the mall is so relaxing. (Going=-ing verb; the phrase is the subject)
• Infinitive phrases=a phrase that starts with "to" and includes a simpler verb; functions as a noun
• I love to sleep. (to sleep=a simple verb; functions as the D.O. and a noun)
• Participial phrases=a phrase that starts with a verb (-ing or -ed form) and functions as a modifier. They can be removed from sentences and the sentence is still complete.
• Waiting for her ride, she sat on the park bench.
• They laughed loudly, unheard by the others.
• Appositive phrases=a noun phrase that renames another noun right by it. They are separated in the sentence with commas and can be removed from the sentence without making it an incomplete sentence.
• Mrs. Sampson, your favorite teacher, misses you dearly.

Although there are PLENTY of phrase types, your pre-test results show that we only need to focus on participial and appositive phrases this semester :-) It is important that you know what the other ones are, however, since they will also appear on the final exam.