Prepositional Phrases

• They are a group of words in a sentence that act as a single part of speech.

• No matter how long a prepositional phrase is or how many different parts of speech it contains, a prepositional phrase in a sentence always acts as if it were a one-word adjective or adverb.

Prepositional PhrasesExamples:

• near airports (used as an adjective because it describes were the subject is located)

• near busy urban airports (just made it longer…but it’s still an adjective)

• near busy urban highways and airports (even longer!)

Infinitive Phrases

• Infinitives are verbsverbs that can be used as a noun, adjective, or an adverb. Put them into a group of words within a sentence that mean the same thing, then walla! you have an infinitive phrase.

Infinitive PhrasesExamples:

• It is not polite to listen through the keyhole.

• “Listen through the keyhole” is acting like a noun.

• You can rely on me to run extremely fast. (adjective)

• To drive up the hill was impossible. (adverb)

Participle Phrases

• Participles are verb formsverb forms with two basic uses: helping verbs and adjectives. Present participles usually end in “ ing ” and past participles usually end in “ ed ”.

Participle PhrasesExamples:

• The teacher, speaking slowly, explained the use of deadly animals to intimidate students.

• The esteemed student, honored by the award, was given loads of cash by his parents.

• Gripping the pen, I began to write my essay.

Independent ClauseExample:

• The air vibrated. (subject, verb)

• In the morning, students were asleep in class. (subject, verb)

• The guitar player, who was extremely talented, played one solo with his teeth. (subject, verb)

Dependent ClauseExample:

• …while the band practiced in the garage. (subject, verb)

• …after she performed her solo. (subject, verb)

• The lights focused on her as she sang an danced.

• When the rain comes down hard, all little animals seek shelter.

TransitionExample:

• My hand burned as a result of brilliant idea to stir boiling-hot water with it.

• It hurt like a thousand sharp needles, but on the other hand it looked interesting.

• My bike was found next to the garbage dump.

AppositiveExample:

• J.K. Rowling, a British novelist, wrote the Harry Potter series.

• A typhoon, a powerful Pacific Ocean hurricane, struck the fleet of ships.