Phrases, Clauses, and Vocabulary

2nd Semester Content

Phrases

Four Types of Phrases:

1). Prepositional Phrase

2). Participial Phrase

3). Gerund Phrase

4). Infinitive Phrase

Prepositional Phrases

Phrases themselves begin with prepositions

Contain an “object of the preposition”

These phrases can appear before of after sentences

Prepositions

aboard about above across after

against along amid among anti

around as at before behind

below beneath beside besidesbetween

beyond but by concerning considering

despite down during except excepting

excluding following for fromin

inside into like minus near

of off on onto opposite

outside over past per plus

regarding round save since than

throughto toward towards under

underneath unlike until up upon

versus via with within without

Examples of Prepositional Phrases and the Object of the Prepositional Phrase

1. The child could not reach above the counter.

2. Dad’s car was parked inside the garage.

3. Besides the loud music, the concert was enjoyable.

4. Without warning, the squirrel was ran over.

5. Unknowingly, Brian had ketchup all over his shirt.

Identify the prepositional phrasesand the object of each prepositional phrase.

Jefferson could not wait play on his new computer.

My mother and I drove through the car wash for the first time.

Beyond the horizon, I could see the planets.

We left the ground and flew past the entire country.

Maybe it is time that the turkey should be taken out of the oven.

Participial Phrases

A participial is in the form of a verb, but it is not a verb.

acts as an adjective

ends in "ing" or "ed" or "en.“

A participial phrase begins with a participial and ends with an object of the participial phrase.

Examples of Participial Phrases

The car sliding out of control toward building will likely hit the window.

Cameron spotted his brother throwing rocks at the passing cars.

The astronaut chosen to ride the space shuttle to Mars is afraid of heights.

Running down the street, Alicia tripped and fell.

Penned in by other runners, Steve was unable to make a break for the finish line.

For each sentence, identify what the participial phrase is modifying.

1. The car sliding out of control toward the building will likely hit the window.

2. Cameron spotted his brother throwing rocks at the passing cars.

3. The astronaut chosen to ride the space shuttle to Mars is afraid of heights.

4. Running down the street, Alicia tripped and fell.

5. Penned in by other runners, Steve was unable to make a break for the finish line.

Gerund Phrases

A gerund is in the form of a verb, but it is not a verb.

acts as a noun.

ends in "ing.“

A gerund phrase begins with a gerund and ends with the object of the gerund phrase.

Clarify

Gerunds can look a lot like participial words because of the –ing ending, so remember:

- Gerunds ONLY end with –ing- They act as NOUNS; they DO NOT describe anything- After reading a sentence with gerund phrase, ask

yourself a question using: “What is________?”

- If your question is then answered successfully with the gerund phrase, it is a gerund phrase.

Examples of Gerunds only

Flying at this time of night seems a little

dangerous.

Bill decided that scrambling was not safe.

Ethan avoided completing because the Ducks were

playing the Angels.

The student gathered signatures for increasing .

The young man opposes marketing as if it were glamorous.

Examples of Gerund Phrases Flying above the lake at this time of night seems a little

dangerous.

Bill decided that scrambling over the pile of debris was not safe.

Ethan avoided doing his homework because the Ducks were

playing the Angels.

The student gathered signatures for increasing the hours of the library.

The young man opposes marketing cigarettes as if it were glamorous.

Determine whether or not the underlined phrase is a participial or gerund.1. Jumping off the 30 ft. cliff, the vacationers were no longer

terrified.

2. Jumping off a 30 ft. cliff can be intimidating to anyone.

3. The students chosen by the school will receive thousands of scholarship money.

4. The students enjoyed choosing their schools for their academic future.

5. Learning the ABCs in sign language comes natural.

6. Learning the ABCs in sign language, the students became bilingual.

Infinitive Phrases An infinitive is in the form of a verb, but it

is not a verb.

contains the word “to”

act as a noun, adjective, and adverb

An infinitive phrase begins with an infinitive and ends with the object of the infinitive phrase.

Determine if the infinitive phrase is acting as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

To drive drunk is the most irresponsible thing anyone could do.

John intended to marry Jessica, but that did not work out.

Maybe the passenger wanted to fly the plane but just could go through with it alone.

The basketball player wore new shoes to show off his talent.

Students need to learn the parts of speech.

Determine if the infinitive phrase is acting as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

To drive drunk is the most irresponsible thing anyone could do.

John intended to marry Jessica, but that did not work out.

Maybe the passenger wanted to fly the plane but just could go through with it alone.

The basketball player wore new shoes to show off his talent.

Students need to learn the parts of speech.

Clauses – What is a Clause?

Two Types of Clauses:

1). Independent - contains a subject and a verb- stand alone - ex: We learn.

Clauses – What is a Clause?

Two Types of Clauses:

2). Subordinate- contains a subject and a verb- CANNOT stand alone, must be

attached to an independent clause - ex: After we learn…

Subordinate Clauses

Three Types of Subordinate Clauses:

1). Adjective Clauses

2). Adverb Clauses

3). Noun Clauses

Adjective Clauses

Describe or modify a noun or pronoun, telling what kind or which one.

Begin with a relative pronoun: that, which, who whom, or whose

Examples of Adjective Clauses

The woman who won the lottery lives next door to us.

The plumber repaired the faucet that was leaking.

I bought the dictionary which was recommended.

Adjective Clauses (continued)

Sometimes adjective clauses can begin with a relative adverb:

where, when, why, before, or since

More Examples of Adjective Clauses

Areas where flooding was severe have been evacuated.

We couldn’t imagine the reason why Laura was so late.

In the days before the telegraph was invented, news traveled slowly.

Practice with Adjective Clauses- First, identify the adjective clause. - Second, identify what the clause is describing.

1. No one was in the building at the time when the fire occurred.

2. Anna wouldn’t tell us the reason why she quit. 3. It was a day when we all enjoyed every minute. 4. The stands where the dignitaries would sit were

draped with bunting.5. Leonardo, who is greatly admired, was an artist.

Adverb Clauses

Describe or modify a verb, adjective, or other adverbs

They answer the questions, When? Where? How? and Why?

Examples of Adverb Clauses

The elevator will not move unless both doors are closed.

Betsy plays golf whenever she gets the chance.

You will find the atlases where the other maps are shelved.

The washer will stop if the door is opened.

Practice with Adverb Clauses- First, identify the adverb clause. - Second, identify what question the adverb clause is answering.

1. They walked unsteadily, as if they were dazed.2. Because the music was so loud, I got a

headache. 3. Did you see Alex when you were in

Bloomington? 4. Mimi takes her dog wherever she goes. 5. Will you wait until I get a sweater?

Noun Clauses

Act as nouns

They begin with: who, where, which, what, whether, when, how, whoever, whatever, or that

Noun Functions = Noun Clause Functions

Subject: John is going to pay.

Direct Object: All of us believed Sara.

Indirect Object: The judges will award the winner a prize.

Predicate Nominative: His problem was working.

Object of the Preposition: The pirates quarreled over directions.

Appositive: Jeffery, our most distinguished butler, welcomed the guests.

Noun Functions = Noun Clause Functions

Subject: Whoever ate this is going to pay.

Direct Object: All of us believed what she said.

Indirect Object: The judges will award whoever finishes first a prize.

Predicate Nominative: His problem was how he could earn a living.

Object of the Preposition: The pirates quarreled over why they were lost.

Appositive: Jeffery, who became our most distinguished butler, welcomed our guests.

Practice with Noun Clauses- First, identify the noun clause. - Second, identify the function of each noun clause.

1. The real surprise is how the movie ends.2. Aaron had admitted that he had slept. 3. When the next meeting will be held has not

been announced. 4. Mimi takes her dog wherever she goes. 5. The witnesses disagreed about how tall the

robber had been.

Practice makes…well, close enough. - First, identify the subordinate clause. - Second, identify the type of clause. - Last, briefly explain how you know.

1. After James graduated, he and his family went out to White Castle.

2. Hana fell off what seemed to be a boulder. 3. Whoever you hire must speak Latin.4. The rumor is that the house is haunted.5. Though it was still early, many of the teachers left.6. No one may enter the studio while the red light is on.7. Dorris is a critic whose opinions are usually right. 8. The street where Joyce lives is near the library. 9. The teacher will give whoever