Phrases
Definition of a phrase: a group of words, with no subject and verb, that acts as one part of speech within a sentence.
Types of phrases:
- Verb phrase
- Prepositional phrase
- Infinitive phrase
- Appositive phrase
- Gerund phrase
- Participial phrase
A verb phrase contains one or more helping verbs + a main verb. The verb phrase will always end with the main verb.
Examples: has been working, might consider, was singing
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A prepositional phrase contains a preposition (the first word) + a noun or pronoun. The only parts of speech that may occur between the preposition and the noun/pronoun are modifiers, such as adjectives and adverbs.
Examples: in the snow, around town, beneath the clear water
*A preposition may not be used alone anywhere in the sentence. A preposition must always be part of a full prepositional phrase.
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An infinitive is the combination of the word “to” + the base form of a verb. For example, “to go” is an infinitive. An infinitive phrase is an infinitive + any words that connect to, or are associated with, the infinitive. The infinitive phrase will always begin with the infinitive.
Examples: to go shopping, to eat a hamburger, to buy a puppy
An appositive phrase is an appositive + any words that connect to, or are associated with, the actual appositive. The appositive phrase will begin with either the noun/pronoun serving as the appositive OR a combination of adjectives/adverbs describing the appositive.
Examples: My home, a small house on a hill in the country, is blue.
(The appositive phrase is italicized; “house” is the appositive)
My favorite book, a novel entitled The Giver, is wonderful!
(The appositive phrase is italicized; “novel” is the appositive)
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A gerund is an action word that serves as a noun. A gerund phrase is a gerund + any words that connect to, or are associated with, the actual gerund. The only difference between a gerund and a “regular” noun is that one “looks” like a verb but functions as a regular noun.
Example: I love bowling with my friends.
(The gerund phrase is italicized. “Bowling” is the gerund because it functions as a “thing” I like to do, but it also shows action. If a word in a sentence shows action but does not serve as the actual verb of the sentence, then it may be a gerund! The entire gerund phrase serves as a noun telling what I like!
Because a gerund/gerund phrase functions as a noun, then it can do any of the six sentence function jobs that nouns/pronouns can do! How does the gerund in the previous sentence function?? HINT: Think of the entire phrase as ONE noun, and then try to label the function.
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A participle is an action word that serves as an adjective. A participial phrase is a participle + any words that connect to, or are associated with, the actual participle. The only difference between a participle and a “regular” adjective is that one “looks” like a verb but functions as a regular adjective. A participial phrase will always begin with a participle.
Example: The girl talking to the children is the new babysitter. (The phrase “talking to the children” acts as an adjective modifying “girl.”)
Driving slowly, the teenager obeyed all traffic rules. (The phrase “driving slowly” is acting as an adjective modifying “teenager.”)
The new drinking fountain is shiny! (The word “drinking” is a participle. It does not include a full phrase.)
Those are all the types of phrases!!
Do you see phrases in the following sentences? Label them!
Studying the field of research allows one to understand the process.
Working diligently on group methodologies, the students will learn about credible design.
Dr. Huff, the instructor, loves reading research articles about interesting topics.
If one gives researching his best attempts, he will soon find that he appreciates his new skills!
Understanding that, one can see the value in reading research.
One’s main goal, however, should be to become an effective consumer of educational research.