Grammar Review Sheet
Phrases and Clauses
Attached is a review sheet defining and providing examples of types of phrases and subordinate clauses followed by exercises to complete. Being able to identify and write these phrases and clauses are requisite of incoming sophomore Honors level students. The North Penn High School writing program is founded upon skills involving working with various sentence structures.
Directions:
- Print out this packet.
- Complete the review exercises that follow the phrase/clause review sheets and bring your completed packet to class on the first day of school. You will be graded on accuracy and completion of the packet. You may also be tested on these skills within the first few weeks of school.
- It is expected that you work on this packet individually.
Grammar Review Sheet
Phrases and Clauses
Phrase: Two or more words (without a subject and its verb) that act as a single part of speech
Clause: A group of words with a subject and its predicate
Grammar Review Sheet
Phrases and Clauses
APPOSITIVE PHRASE: a noun or pronoun that follows another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it and its modifiers
Ex: George, the star quarterback, is tall.
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE: A group of words beginning with a preposition and usually ending with a noun or pronoun
Ex:Before the concert Mr. Britcher reviewed the pieces to be played.
-An adjective prepositional phrase modifies a noun or pronoun.
Ex: Tucson has been the locale of many Westerns.
-An adverb prepositional phrase modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
Ex:Tina exercises in the gym.
He threw the ball far to the left.
VERB PHRASES
--Participial phrase: Adjective phrase beginning with a participle(participle: a verb form that can be used as an adjective)
Grammar Review Sheet
Phrases and Clauses
Present participle: asking
Past participle: asked
Perfect participle: having asked
Passive participle: having been asked
Grammar Review Sheet
Phrases and Clauses
Ex: Having been asked to participate in the discussion, Dan offered some valid analysis
of the novel.
--Gerund phrase: Verb form ending in –ing that is used as noun together with its complements and modifiers, all of which act together as a noun
Ex:Having been asked to participate in the discussion gave Dan the opportunity to
share his analysis of the novel.
--Infinitive phrase: A verb preceded by to together with its complements and modifiers.
Ex: To gain success as an actor, one must have self-confidence.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: Expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself.
Ex:John is a good violinist, and he also plays the guitar well.
SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: Does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself
Ex:Whenever I try to burn a CD on my computer, the computer crashes.
ADVERB CLAUSE: subordinate clause (introduced by subordinating conjunction) used as an adverb.
Subordinating conjunctions:
Grammar Review Sheet
Phrases and Clauses
after
although
as
as if
as long as
as soon as
because
before
if
in order that
since
so that
than
though
unless
until
when
whenever
where
wherever
while
Grammar Review Sheet
Phrases and Clauses
Ex:Before the concert began, Mr. Britcher made some announcements.
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE: subordinate clause used as an adjective
Ex: The book that Kaitlyn borrowed from the library was overdue.
NOUN CLAUSE: subordinate clause used as a noun
Ex: Whoever stole my purse is in big trouble!
For additional help and practice, visit the following websites:
Part I: Phrase Review. Identify the type of phrase underlined in each sentence below.
______1. Having spent the afternoon at the beach, Alice was hot and tired.
______2. We visited the park between rain showers.
______3. Complaining constantly helps no one.
______4. Samantha took a pain reliever, wanting relief from her terrible
headache.
______5. He is the only knight who did not offer to win the jousting
tournament for the fair maiden.
______6. Shopping on a Sunday afternoon is my idea of relaxing.
______7. My brothers, Fred and George, love to tease me mercilessly.
______8. Running on empty, Josh studied for the test late into the night.
______9. Running on empty, Josh studied for the test late into the night.
______10. Because I tend to procrastinate, I often complete my homework in a
rush.
______11.By mid-afternoon, the protestors had left the rally and gone home.
______12. I called Katie’s house a milliontimes trying to apologize.
______13.Juanita likes to take candid picturesof her friends.
______14. The esteemed poet, honored by the award, expressed his thanks.
______15. It is not polite to listen through the keyhole.
______16. A former professional player, my tennis coach trains me well.
______17. It is not polite to listen through the keyhole.
______18. Eating ice cream on a windy day can be a messy experience if you
have long, untamed hair.
______19. At the rodeo, I always enjoy watching the courageous riders.
______20. The sumptuous dinner, ham and vegetables, looked delicious.
Part II: Writing Phrases. On the lines below, write sentences that include each type of phrase. You must write 2 different sentences for each type.
Appositive: ______
______
Appositive: ______
______
Prepositional: ______
______
Prepositional: ______
______
Participial: ______
______
Participial: ______
______
Infinitive: ______
______
Infinitive: ______
______
Gerund: ______
______
Gerund: ______
______
Part III: Clause Review. Identify the type of clause underlined in each sentence below.
______1. The woman to whom I introduced youat the party is the one who
makes the hiring decisions at Applebee’s.
______2. Chemistry is what she likes best in school.
______3. A family doctor should be available whenever an emergency arises.
______4. That she was guilty was obvious.
______5.Will you go to the football game if the weather is nice?
______6.Here is the book that I want you to read.
______7.This story has a plot that is difficult to follow.
______8. The man who looks for trouble often finds it, but then he does not
want it.
______9.She ran until she dropped.
______10. My aunt went to Florida when she retired.
______11.That is a subject about which I know nothing.
______12.Alexander the Great was sure that he would conquer the world.
______13.Ethan wondered if Melissa knew how to make apple cider.
______14.I didn’t call her because I am shy.
______15. Before you take your quiz, please show me your homework.
______16. If this is love, I’ve made a terrible mistake.
______17. Everyone who had a package to return was sent to the customer
service desk.
______18.I went to the game because my son guaranteed me that he will score
a goal.
______19.In order to facilitate the registration process, the college asked the
students to fill out the necessary paperwork before they arrived.
______20. Unless you are prepared to pay for the damage, do not throw rocks
at windows.
Part IV: Writing Clauses. On the lines below, write sentences that include each type of clause. You must write 2 different sentences for each type.
Adverb:______
______
Adverb: ______
______
Adjective: ______
______
Adjective: ______
______
Noun: ______
______
Noun: ______
______