The PhraseThe Phrase

• A phrase is a group of related words. It does NOT create a sentence.

Kinds of PhrasesKinds of Phrases

• Verb phraseVerb phrase• Prepositional phrasePrepositional phrase

– AdjectiveAdjective phrasephrase– AdverbAdverb phrasephrase

andand

• Appositive phraseAppositive phrase

• also coming up… VERBAL phrases…

The Verb PhraseThe Verb Phrase

• A verb phrase consists of at least one main verb and one or more helping verbs. A helping verb (also called an auxiliary verb) helps the main verb express action or a state of being.

is leaving

Besides of all forms of the verb be , the following verbs can be used

as helping verbs:

• can

• could

• did

• do

• does

•had

•has

•have

•may

•might

•must

•shall

•should

•will

•would

Notice how the helping verbs work together with the main verbs to form complete verb

phrases.• Would you like some soup?

• You should have offered sooner.

• We shall probably be finished in an hour.

• She was always thinking of her future.

• Has my sister shown you her newest

painting?

• She shouldn’t have borrowed that necklace.

The Prepositional Phrase…The Prepositional Phrase…

…is a group of words beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun (the OP).

• in my hair

• on the floor

• next to the tree

•beyond the forest

•beneath the bridge

•according to my mother

The anatomy (pattern) of a The anatomy (pattern) of a Prepositional Phrase:Prepositional Phrase:

(with a friend)or

(with my parents)

OP

OP

other possibilities are…

(to me)Or

(Because of the very fun lesson)

OP

OP

Identifying Identifying kindskinds of prepositional of prepositional phrases:phrases:

Prepositional Phrase

Adjective Phrase Adverb Phrase

ADJECTIVE PHRASESADJECTIVE PHRASES

Definition: a prepositional phrase used as an adjective.

Examples:

• The boy with red hair is sitting next to me.

• The girl sat next to the wall with windows

ADJECTIVE PHRASES…ADJECTIVE PHRASES…

1. answer the questions: “which one?” or “what kind?”

2. always come after the nouns they modify

3. are ALWAYS after a subject

4. never begin a sentence

5. never come right after a verb

Find the Find the ADJECTIVE PHRASES ADJECTIVE PHRASES

in the following sentences:in the following sentences:

• The man in the story had no friends.

• Scrooge was the man in the story.

• Scrooge was a friend to Marley.

• Scrooge hated charity of any kind.

• Marley became a ghost with clanking chains.

• Marley frightened Scrooge when he came to visit.

ANSWERS:ANSWERS:

• The man in the story had no friends.

• Scrooge was the man in the story.

• Scrooge was a friend to Marley.

• Scrooge hated charity of any kind.

• Marley became a ghost with clanking chains.

• Marley frightened Scrooge when he came to visit.

Find the Find the ADJECTIVE PHRASES ADJECTIVE PHRASES

in the following sentences:in the following sentences:

• During the night, a fire truck came down my street.

• A fire truck came down my street during the night.

• Sid dropped his pencil on the sidewalk.

• The cat in the tree suddenly meowed with all its might.

ANSWERS:ANSWERS:

• During the night, a fire truck came down my street.

• A fire truck came down my street during the night.

• Sid dropped his pencil on the sidewalk.

• The cat in the tree suddenly meowed with all its might.

Find the Find the ADJECTIVE PHRASES ADJECTIVE PHRASES

in the following sentences:in the following sentences:

• Sandy didn’t know about the computer experiment in the lab.

• In a flash, the twins were transported to another world.

• The short man in the wilderness seemed afraid of the twins at first.

• The twins sat down and wondered where they were.

ANSWERS:ANSWERS:

• Sandy didn’t know about the computer experiment in the lab.

• In a flash, the twins were transported to another world.

• The small man in the wilderness seemed afraid of the twins at first.

• The twins sat down and wondered where they were.

ADVERB PHRASESADVERB PHRASES

Definition: a prepositional phrase used as an adverb.

Examples:

• I sat with Sally at the seashore.

• We fished for hours.

• I dropped my coke can into the water.

• In the spring I go to the beach.

The truth about adverb The truth about adverb phrases: They…phrases: They…

1. …can begin a sentence

2. …will not immediately follow the subject

3. …can follow VERBS, ADVERBS and ADJECTIVES (and modify them)

4. …answer questions like: “whenwhen?” “wherewhere?” “whywhy?” “howhow?”

THINK LOGICALLY…THINK LOGICALLY…

• There are only two kinds of prepositional phrases:

• ADJECTIVE and ADVERB

• If a phrase is not ADJECTIVE, then it must be ADVERB!

Find the Find the adverbadverb phrases: phrases:

• For many years, Scrooge and Marley were business partners.

• Scrooge ran his business in a miserly way.

• Bob Cratchit worked for Scrooge.

• Bob had very little heat while he worked.

• Scrooge and Marley had been partners for many years.

ANSWERS:ANSWERS:

• For many years, Scrooge and Marley were business partners.

• Scrooge ran his business in a miserly way.

• Bob Cratchit worked for Scrooge.

• Bob had very little heat while he worked.

• Scrooge and Marley had been partners for many years.

More Practice finding More Practice finding Prepositional Phrases:Prepositional Phrases:

• When my dad was young, he had a little transistor radio that he kept by his bed to listen to music.

• “When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.”

ANSWERS:ANSWERS:

• When my dad was young, he had a little transistor radio that he kept by his bed to listen to music.

• “When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.”

More Practice finding More Practice finding Prepositional Phrases:Prepositional Phrases:

• What’s the matter with my clothes?

• In the middle of the floor was a pile of dirty clothes.

• While you clean up this mess, I will go to the store and buy some new clothes.

• Since last May, you have worn those same jeans for days and days.

• With a little bit of luck, you will get to go to the mall.

ANSWERS:ANSWERS:

• What’s the matter with my clothes?

• In the middle of the floor was a pile of dirty clothes.

• While you clean up this mess, I will go to the store and buy some new clothes.

• Since last May, you have worn those same jeans for days and days.

• With a little bit of luck, you will get to go to the mall.