Extension Practice with Phrases (Prepositional, Verbal, and Appositive)

Part I: Diagram the following sentences. (10 points)

  1. First, John tackled the pile of records and tapes lying near his unused stereo system.
  2. John’s first discovery, a real shock, was the outdated albums.
  3. The tapes were worse.
  4. Left by visiting friends, most did not even belong to John.
  5. By repairing the stereo, John could give himself a reason to update his music collection.
  6. Trained in electronics, John began to work and soon saw the problem.
  7. After a satisfying morning, John had a working stereo system but a messy room.
  8. His sister told their mom about John’s messy room.
  9. Quickly picking the scraps of wire off the floor, John greeted his mother by playing a record on the stereo.
  10. Pleased about the stereo, his mom nonetheless insisted on his cleaning the room immediately.

Part II: Combine the following sentences together using the phrases we have studied. Then, diagram each one. (4 points)

My neighbor is Dr. Welber.

Entymology is the study of insects.

My neighbor got her degree in entomology.

I snatched up the keys.

I dashed for the door.

I was late for school.

Part III: Write a sentence using each kind of phrase we have studied—prepositional, participial, gerund, infinitive, and appositive. Feel free to combine your phrases to form more difficult sentences. Once you have created your sentence(s), diagram each one. (10 points)