Phrases!Phrases!

By Mrs. H-DBy Mrs. H-D

The definition of “phrase”The definition of “phrase”

a group of words that:a group of words that:● ● does not have both a subject does not have both a subject and a verb and a verb -and--and-● ● is used as a single part of is used as a single part of speech (adjective, noun, or speech (adjective, noun, or adverb)adverb)

1) Prepositional Phrases1) Prepositional Phrases A group of words that starts with a prepositionA group of words that starts with a preposition Used as a single part of speechUsed as a single part of speech Is usually used as a “modifier” Is usually used as a “modifier” (adjective or adverb) – to describe or tell more (adjective or adverb) – to describe or tell more

about somethingabout something EXAMPLE: He stumbled EXAMPLE: He stumbled to the sinkto the sink and emptied the and emptied the

contents contents of his stomach into the sinkof his stomach into the sink

Can you find the prepositional phrase?Can you find the prepositional phrase?

A few years ago, our family visited South Dakota A few years ago, our family visited South Dakota and saw a famous monument to great American and saw a famous monument to great American leaders.leaders.

My mom took the pictures on the next page when My mom took the pictures on the next page when we were visiting this scenic spot at Mount we were visiting this scenic spot at Mount RushmoreRushmore

Matt is good at tree-climbing but better at Matt is good at tree-climbing but better at needlepointing flowers.needlepointing flowers.

Is 6 hours too long for a study session?Is 6 hours too long for a study session? Over the years, his hairline has headed north.Over the years, his hairline has headed north.

VERBALSVERBALS Tricksey little things that look like verbs Tricksey little things that look like verbs

but don’t act like ‘em!!but don’t act like ‘em!! Example 1:Example 1:

Savannah Savannah burpsburps frequently. frequently. BurpingBurping is Savannah’s favorite activity is Savannah’s favorite activity

Example 2:Example 2: Mrs. H-D, your lectures Mrs. H-D, your lectures exhaustexhaust me. me. The The exhaustedexhausted student lost her finger in the student lost her finger in the

doorway.doorway. Example 3:Example 3:

On Saturdays, I On Saturdays, I workwork. On Sundays, I . On Sundays, I rest.rest. There is a time There is a time to workto work and a time and a time to restto rest..

TYPE 1: The Participial TYPE 1: The Participial phrasephrase

Participle: A verb Participle: A verb formform that can be used as an that can be used as an adjectiveadjective

ExamplesExamples The incredibly The incredibly tiringtiring lecture left all of the lecture left all of the

students in ineffable pain and ennui.students in ineffable pain and ennui. I was I was comfortedcomforted when Mrs. Dash rubbed when Mrs. Dash rubbed

ointment onto the place where my ear used to ointment onto the place where my ear used to be.be.

NOTE: Participles often show up as predicate NOTE: Participles often show up as predicate adjectives.adjectives.

He was He was angeredangered. UNC fans are . UNC fans are tiredtired of losing. of losing.

Therefore, a participial Therefore, a participial phrase is…phrase is…

A phrase that starts with a participle!A phrase that starts with a participle! ExamplesExamples

Pausing for a moment to consider the Pausing for a moment to consider the implications of his actionsimplications of his actions, Jeremiah , Jeremiah plunged the sword into the king’s plunged the sword into the king’s puppy.puppy.

We saw Hannah We saw Hannah running rapidly to the running rapidly to the windowwindow with a twelve foot python in her with a twelve foot python in her arms.arms.

Give it a shot: ID the Give it a shot: ID the Participial phraseParticipial phrase

Having worked hard, Erin threw herself on Having worked hard, Erin threw herself on the sofa.the sofa.

Today’s newspaper, printed last night, Today’s newspaper, printed last night, gave all sorts of details about the election.gave all sorts of details about the election.

The notes given to Mr. Hicks’ classes The notes given to Mr. Hicks’ classes helped immeasurably.helped immeasurably.

Annoyed by the incessant babbling, the Annoyed by the incessant babbling, the English teacher threw himself out of the English teacher threw himself out of the window.window.

Type Two: The Gerund Type Two: The Gerund PhrasePhrase

Now where the hey did the name Now where the hey did the name “Gerund” come from? A family name?“Gerund” come from? A family name?

Gerund: A verb form ending in –ing that Gerund: A verb form ending in –ing that is used as a nounis used as a noun

ExamplesExamples I enjoyI enjoy running. running. Bethany gave up Bethany gave up sniffingsniffing glue 10 years ago. glue 10 years ago. StudyingStudying is worse than is worse than sandpaperingsandpapering your your

elbow.elbow.

The gerund phrase: a The gerund phrase: a phrase that starts with a phrase that starts with a

gerund, duh!gerund, duh! Examples: Examples:

Refusing to laugh at Mrs. H-D’s jokesRefusing to laugh at Mrs. H-D’s jokes can result in poor academic health.can result in poor academic health.

Harper Lee’s most publicized Harper Lee’s most publicized achievement was achievement was writingwriting To Kill a To Kill a MockingbirdMockingbird..

Give it a shot: ID the Give it a shot: ID the Gerund PhraseGerund Phrase

The gentle pattering of the rain was a The gentle pattering of the rain was a welcome sound.welcome sound.

Frodo feared going to Mount Doom Frodo feared going to Mount Doom alone.alone.

Exciting and challenging, wildlife Exciting and challenging, wildlife photography is surprisingly similar to photography is surprisingly similar to pursuing prey on a hunt.pursuing prey on a hunt.

Scouting out locations is important to Scouting out locations is important to both the hunter and the photographer.both the hunter and the photographer.

Type Three: The Infinitive Type Three: The Infinitive Phrase Phrase

Infinitive – Definition: Verb form usually Infinitive – Definition: Verb form usually preceded by “to;” used as a noun or a preceded by “to;” used as a noun or a modifier (adj or adv). modifier (adj or adv).

NOTE: You may be more familiar with foreign NOTE: You may be more familiar with foreign language, where the infinitive is often one language, where the infinitive is often one word (Spanish: “to talk” = “hablar”) word (Spanish: “to talk” = “hablar”)

ExamplesExamples To stumbleTo stumble would be most uncool. (used as a would be most uncool. (used as a

noun subject)noun subject) No one wants No one wants to leaveto leave. (used as direct object). (used as direct object) Her goal is Her goal is to winto win (predicate nominative). (predicate nominative). ““There must be a way There must be a way to breakto break Mr. Hicks’ will,” Mr. Hicks’ will,”

said Donna. (used as an adjective)said Donna. (used as an adjective)

NOTE: Sometimes the word “to” is omitted NOTE: Sometimes the word “to” is omitted (which can make it VERY confusing!!)(which can make it VERY confusing!!)

Example: Example: Help me [to] clean out my ear.Help me [to] clean out my ear. The clowns made her [to] have nightmares.The clowns made her [to] have nightmares.

NOTE #2: Unlike other verbals, an infinitive NOTE #2: Unlike other verbals, an infinitive is allowed to have a subject. It becomes an is allowed to have a subject. It becomes an “infinitive clause” – that still acts as a single “infinitive clause” – that still acts as a single part of speech. DANG – that’s confusing!!part of speech. DANG – that’s confusing!! We asked We asked Travis to buy us all monkeys.Travis to buy us all monkeys. Many consider Many consider HP IV to be the best of the HP HP IV to be the best of the HP

books.books. I wanted him I wanted him to help me with my PreCalto help me with my PreCal..

So the infinitive phrase So the infinitive phrase is… is…

……a phrase that starts with an a phrase that starts with an infinitiveinfinitive

ExamplesExamples Trey vowed Trey vowed to steal Mrs. H-D’s UNC mugto steal Mrs. H-D’s UNC mug

as soon as the bell rang.as soon as the bell rang. Michael earned enough extra credit Michael earned enough extra credit to to

make an A++++ on his quiz.make an A++++ on his quiz. Dania tries Dania tries to steal Jackson’s walletto steal Jackson’s wallet

every day (without him knowing it).every day (without him knowing it).

Give it a shotGive it a shot ““Dancing with the Stars” is the show to Dancing with the Stars” is the show to

watch this year.watch this year. I’ll help you get that beetle out of your I’ll help you get that beetle out of your

ear.ear. Daddy says that it’s a sin to kill a Daddy says that it’s a sin to kill a

mockingbird, Mrs. Maudie.mockingbird, Mrs. Maudie. Don’t you Don’t you daredare steal my magic shoe! steal my magic shoe! Would Christina like me to give her all Would Christina like me to give her all

the answers on the quiz? You betcha!the answers on the quiz? You betcha!

A Last type of phrase: The A Last type of phrase: The AppositiveAppositive

Def – appositive: A noun or pronoun set Def – appositive: A noun or pronoun set beside another noun to help identify it.beside another noun to help identify it.

Example: Example: My student My student WillWill is actually a Norweigian is actually a Norweigian

spy.spy. Heroin, Heroin, a druga drug, is not the same thing as a , is not the same thing as a

female hero.female hero. The appositive phrase? I don’t even The appositive phrase? I don’t even

need to say it.need to say it.

Appositive phrase – make your own Appositive phrase – make your own definition!definition!

Examples: Examples: My paper, the best piece of writing ever My paper, the best piece of writing ever

known to man, is 640 pages long (size 4 known to man, is 640 pages long (size 4 font).font).

Jackie’s new hat, a tasty pimiento-Jackie’s new hat, a tasty pimiento-cheese design that never goes bad, cheese design that never goes bad, tastes quite delicious.tastes quite delicious.

Michelle’s dog, a Swiss Alsatian, growled Michelle’s dog, a Swiss Alsatian, growled at me and encouraged me to change at me and encouraged me to change her essay grade from “A” to “A+.”her essay grade from “A” to “A+.”