Types of Phrases

Prepositional
Verbal

Phrases

Phrases

Appositive

Phrases

Prepositional Phrases
Preposition:

a word that shows a

relationship between a noun or a
pronoun and some other word in the
sentence.

From, by, of, under, in, off, about

At, to, on, with, upon, over, before

Prepositional Phrases
Form: Begins with a preposition, ends
with a noun or pronoun
Example: at the store
Function: Adjective or Adverb

Prepositional Phrases
As Adjectives:
Underline the prepositional phrases
and circle the noun or pronoun they
modify:

1.
2.
3.

She is a friend of my brother.

The book for Mike is new.
The lamp in the hall is broken.

Prepositional Phrases
As Adverbs:
Underline the prepositional phrases
and circle the verb, adjective, or
adverb they modify.

1.
2.
3.

My sister works at noon.

We strolled down the hill.
He fished in the Great Lakes.

Verbal Phrases

Verbal
A

verbal is a word we normally think

of as a verb that is not acting as a
verb in the sentence.

Walking

is fun.

In the above sentence, walking is

acting as a noun instead of a verb.

Verbal Phrase

A phrase containing a verbal

Example:
Walking to the store is fun.
Walking to the store is a verbal
phrase.

Verbal Phrases
Participial
Gerund

Phrases

Phrases

Infinitive

Phrases

Participial Phrases
Form:

Contains a verbal (a word we

normally think of as a verb) ending
in ed or ing

Function:

Adjective

Participial Phrases
Examples:

Ducking into the bus shelter, Angela

avoided the rain.
The power lines, damaged by the
rain, were repaired.

Participial Phrases

1.

2.

3.

Underline the participial phrases

and circle the noun or pronoun they
modify.
This bowl, carved in the hills of
Tennessee, is unique.
The waves, tossed by the wind,
rose to nine feet.
Given the facts, we had to act.

Gerund Phrases
Form:

Contains a verbal ( a word we

usually think of as a verb) ending in
ing

Function:

Noun

Gerund Phrases
Examples:

Skidding on wet pavement causes

accidents.
The teacher enjoys praising her
pupils.

Gerund Phrases

Underline the gerund phrases and

try to determine what noun role the
phrase is playing in the sentence.

1.

I dont mind shoveling snow.

Would selling your car be wise?
Our reason for informing you now is
to prepare you.

2.
3.

Infinitive Phrases
Form:

Contains the word to

followed by the base form of a verb

Function:

Adverb

Noun, Adjective, or

Infinitive Phrases
Examples:

I learned to play chess blindfolded.

To learn Shakespeares plays seems
difficult to many students.

Infinitive Phrases

Underline the infinitive phrases and

try to determine what part of
speech each phrase is.

1.

They want to understand the play.

To see a play performed can be a
great pleasure.
Modern readers are curious to know
about him.

2.
3.

Appositive Phrases
Form:

Contains a noun or pronoun

and is usually enclosed with commas

Function:

Adjective

Appositive Phrases
Examples:

The car, a green sedan, passed us on

the hill.
The family car, an old heap, still runs
well.

Appositive Phrases

Underline the appositive phrases and

circle the noun or pronoun they modify.

1.

This ring, a family heirloom, is very

valuable.
Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes,
stocks coho salmon.
The hottest months--June, July, and
August--have been cooler recently.

2.

3.