Grammatical Phrases

Phrase A group of two or more grammatically

related words that forms a unit.

Does NOT have a subject and a verb.

Does NOT express a complete thought.

Has the force of a single part of speech, such as a noun or adverb.

Prepositional Phrase Has a preposition at its head

Can act as an adjective, adverb, or a noun

What the bee does to its hive…. In the hive Through the hive Around the hive

Noun Phrase Consists of a noun and its grammatical

modifiers

Bob, my best friend, works here

Gerund Phrase A noun phrase with a gerund as its

head.

Gerund = -ing form of a verb Acts like a noun!

Walking to the beach is fun. Walking is the ACT of walking (not the

verb in this sentence).

Infinitive Phrase Noun phrase with an infinitive at its head.

Infinitive = “to + verb” form To go To swim To learn

To learn a new language is an exciting activity.

Adjective Phrase A phrase that is describing a noun.

The toy box in the corner is full. Which box? The one in the corner!

That suitcase slipping down the ramp is mine.

Adverbial Phrase A phrase that is describing a verb or

another adjective.

Sally went to school skipping all the way. HOW did she go? Skipping all the way!

The squirrels ran into their home and hid. WHERE did they run? Into their home!

PracticeIdentify the phrases in each sentence.

1) Johnny fell into the well.

2) If you’re not careful, you’ll be living in a van down by the river.

Answers

1) Johnny fell into the well.

2) If you’re not careful, you’ll be living in a van down by the river.

3) We will meet at the library at 3:30.

4) The dogs were running around the clown.

5) Running quickly through the sprinkler, I became wet.

6) Although I am happy, I would rather go to the other restaurant.

3) We will meet at the library at 3:30.

4) The dogs were running around the clown.

5) Running quickly through the sprinkler, I became wet.

6) Although I am happy, I would rather go to the other restaurant.

7) While preparing for his speech, Joe couldn’t help but be nervous.

8) Hoping for a miracle, the doctors kept working.

9) The reporter crouched behind the tree got the best picture.

10) Pressed for time, the agent ran the red light.

7) While preparing for his speech, Joe couldn’t help but be nervous.

8) Hoping for a miracle, the doctors kept working.

9) The reporter crouched behind the tree got the best picture.

10)Pressed for time, the agent ran the red light.

How to Punctuate If acting as introductory material….

If acting as additional description WITHIN a sentence….no additional punctuation.

SENTENCE

Phrase

,

Summary Phrase

Group of words that acts as a unit.

Does NOT have a subject and a verb.

Does NOT express a complete thought.