GRAMMAR USAGE WITH PHRASES

EQ: How will a knowledge of phrases help me edit my papers?

What is a Phrase?

Group of words (either a noun or verb, but NOT a subject and verb)

(A subject & verb would be a clause.)

Prepositions: Connecting Words

EQ: How do I write correctly with prepositions and prepositional phrases?

Prepositions are like bridges.

They connect a noun/pronoun to the sentence.

Clue to identification: My elementary school teacher used to say they are anything a squirrel can do to a house.

For example:

Under a house Over a house Into a house Beside a house Beneath a house Behind a house Within a house

See P. 435 for complete list.

A preposition always has an object (noun/pronoun).

The object is called the object of the preposition.

The object is connected to the sentence by the preposition.

The object is always after the preposition.

If it’s missing an object, . . .

Then it’s a “bridge to nowhere”! Like these . . .

Where do you live at? What car are you riding in? What are you talking about? What are you thinking of? Where did you get it from?

Find the 4 prepositional phrases.

The squirrel ran up the tree, jumped onto another tree, and stole the nut in the branches from another squirrel.

Object of the preposition: Noun (can never be the subject) The girls in the club is/are preparing for

the tournament. The problem with our plans is/are the

details. Pronoun (use OBJECTIVE case) The present you got from me cost more

time than money. The space between you and I/me is small.

Punctuation of Prep. Phrases:

If more than 3 words & it’s at the beginning of a sentence, use a comma.

Because of my mistake, I could not go on the trip.

I could not go on the trip because of my mistake.

Find me examples of this on P. 436.

Fix these sentences, which contain prepositional phrases.

Just between you and me we need a plan. During the Civil War many families were torn

apart. After lunch, stop by my room. One of the players were on the field. Everyone of the girls have their prom dresses. The file is on top of the desk, near the window.

BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN YOUR RATIONALE.

NOW LET’S DIAGRAM. YAY!Stop whining! Man up! Think analytically.

What’s under the hood? Noun/Pronoun Antecedent Subject: simple/complete Verb Predicate: simple/complete Action Transitive/Intransitive (DO) IO S + VT + IO + DO Linking (PA/PN) Adjectives Adverbs: how, when, where (main ones) Modifiers (degrees) Phrase Clause Preposition Object of the preposition Simple sentence

PHRASES (CONTIN.)

EQ: How can a knowledge of phrases contribute to revising and editing my writing?

LET’S REVIEW DIAGRAMMING. YAY!!

radio waves

receiver wherewaves are collected

wavesconverted intoelectro signals

computerreceived as signal

Geosynchronousorbit

low Earthorbit

Polar Orbit

eccentricorbit

Review of Diagramming:

The religious figure was her mentor for the last year.

She went with him to the dance reluctantly.

The textbook is next to my book bag on the table.

I gave her the letter from home yesterday.

Review of Usage: Comma?

After the school event we went to the movies.

We went to the movies after the school event.

In 1865 the Civil War ended. The Civil War ended in 1865.

APPOSITIVE PHRASES: P. 487

Appositives are nouns or pronouns renaming the noun or pronoun it follows.

Appositive phrases are nouns/pronouns and their modifiers.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Once upon a time in a

land far, far away, Everyone spoke in

relative clauses ‘til

they found a better

way: The appositive phrase!

1. Jan is my best friend.

2. Jan promised to come with me.

3. Jan, WHO IS MY BEST FRIEND, promised to come with me.

4. Jan, MY BEST FRIEND, promised to come with me.

Mrs. Monteith, WHO IS THE PRINCIPAL, stood outside.

Mrs. Monteith, THE PRINCIPAL, stood outside.

Examples:

My mother, Sara Smith, works in the front office.

Our new principal, Mrs. Monteith, was an English teacher once.

Our assistant principal Mr. Odom is from the Greenville area.

DISCOVERY: Why do you think no commas surround the last one?

RULE with Appositive Phrases:

If the second noun phrase that renames the first noun is NECESSARY to understanding whom you mean, then use no comma set.

If the second noun phrase is EXTRA INFO that is not necessary, use a comma set.

Comma sets here mean we can take or leave the info.

Commas or No? My dog Rover needs a vet appointment. According to your list of animals, your dog

Rover must have his shots. I have known my best friend Jordan since first

grade. Today I met a new friend Casey. Highway 38 a newly paved road runs through

the countryside. The Empire State Building a skyscraper in New

York is not the tallest building in the world now.

NOW DIAGRAM THESE!! DOUBLE YAY!!!!!

READ 15.

Jr. G. B. status awards

VOC. CHARADES

Review appositives & prepositional phrases on P. 495-496: Do first 5 in each.

Other Types of Phrases with Verbs

VERBALS & VERBAL PHRASES: Gerunds, participles, infinitives

P. 489

What is a verbal or verbal phrase?

A verbal is a verb working as another part of speech (a noun or an adjective).

A verbal phrase is a verbal with other words assisting it, like a prepositional phrase or an object.

I like eating ice cream. (gerund) He prefers to ski. (infinitive) Worried, she called 911 finally. (participle)

Participles: Verbs that work as adjectives (P. 489)

Arriving late, I was nervous. The huge goldfish fed on the bread floating near the boat. Disappointed, my mother looked at me. Relieved at my passing grade, I threw my book bag into

the air. (2) The excited girl had just discovered a diamond ring

around her dog’s neck for her Christmas present. The coach, worried about the game, scheduled an extra

practice. The teenager in front of me, fidgeting anxiously, seemed

upset.

PRACTICE: P. 490 – EX. 8 & 9Extra Practice: P. 497 – Ex. 2

USAGE PROBLEMS WITH PARTICIPLES

Dangling or misplaced participles (P. 392-3, 637-639)

NOW LET’S DIAGRAM THEM!!! Whoo-hoo! Let’s start with the last 2 on the phrase worksheet.

Participles: Verbs that work as adjectives (P. 489)

Arriving late, I was nervous. The huge goldfish fed on the bread floating near the boat. Disappointed, my mother looked at me. Relieved at my passing grade, I threw my book bag into

the air. (2) The excited girl had just discovered a diamond ring

around her dog’s neck for her Christmas present. The coach, worried about the game, scheduled an extra

practice. The teenager in front of me, fidgeting anxiously, seemed

upset.

MISPLACED OR DANGLING PARTICIPIALS

Correct # 2, 11, 14, & 20 on P. 639. Today’s work will be turned in.

MORE MISPLACED OR DANGLING PARTICIPIALS

P. 647 – Do the odd ones on Ex. 6 & Ex. 7.

Correct these:

I saw two squirrels riding my bike in the park.

We caught a butterfly using a net. Making a nest for their young, Alex and

Maria saw two birds in a big tree near the parking lot.

REVIEW DIAGRAMMING:Now diagram your corrected versions. Turn this work thus far in.

Infinitives (P. 492)

To + verb (not noun/pronoun – then it would be a prepositional phrase.)

Examples: To go To come To eat at my house To run fast Non-example: to my house

Infinitives can work in many noun/adj./adv. roles (P. 492).

Subject: To eat was his passion. Object: I love to eat. (DO) To play football was his dream. I like to ski. He prefers to water ski on the lake in the

summer.

PRACTICE: P. 492 – EX. 11Extra Practice: P. 499 – Ex. 5

Usage Problem:

Don’t split an infinitive EVER. I decided to not go. I promised to never give him her

number. “to boldly go where no man has ever

gone before” – Star Trek . . . YIKES!

NOW DIAGRAM THESE!! TRIPLE YAY!!!!!

Diagram:

To play football was his dream. (subject) I like to ski. (object) He prefers to water ski on the lake in the

summer. (object) I decided not to go. (object) I promised never to give him her

number. (object with IO & DO!!

mind-blaster – BE CAREFUL).

IF THEY ARE WORKING AS SUBJECTS OR DIRECT OBJECTS . . .

Put them above the main line.

If they are another part of speech, they might go below.

To make the team stressed his reserves of strength. (subject)

To make the team, he practiced daily. (adv.)

He was eager to eat. (adv.) He had a tendency to eat. (adj.)

INFINITIVE PHRASES – P. 499

REVIEW OF 2 TYPES OF VERBALS

Verbals Thus Far

Participial Phrases -ing or –ed endings Unless irregular verbs Adjectives (describing

nouns/pronouns)

Diagram UNDER the noun/pronoun.

Infinitive Phrases To + verb NOT to + noun/pronoun

(prep. phrase) Subjects/objects/

adjectives/adverbs) Diagram ABOVE if

subject/DO. Diagram UNDER if adj./

adv.

Participle or Infinitive Phrase? The young teacher hoped to gain her

credentials by March. The old collie, lying in the shade, rarely

ran or played. Romping mischievously, the tiny puppy

was running through the tall grass. Frustrated, the teenager stared at the

wall. To make the colorguard required

dexterity and commitment.

What part of speech is it? The young teacher hoped to gain her

credentials by March. The old collie, lying in the shade, rarely

ran or played. Romping mischievously, the tiny puppy

was running through the tall grass. Frustrated, the teenager stared at the

wall. To make the colorguard required

dexterity and commitment.

What part of speech is it? The young teacher hoped to gain her

credentials by March. (what? DO) The old collie, lying in the shade, rarely

ran or played. (describes collie – adj.) Romping mischievously, the tiny puppy

was running through the tall grass. (describes puppy – adj.)

Frustrated, the teenager stared at the wall. (describes teen – adj.)

To make the colorguard required dexterity and commitment. (subj.)

What part of speech is it? The young teacher hoped to gain her

credentials by March. (what? DO - above) The old collie, lying in the shade, rarely ran or

played. (describes collie – adj. - under) Romping mischievously, the tiny puppy was

running through the tall grass. (describes puppy – adj. - under)

Frustrated, the teenager stared at the wall. (describes teen – adj. - under)

To make the colorguard required dexterity and commitment. (subj. - above)

Differentiate between them on the worksheet.

Usage Practice: Fix these. The boy saw the alligators walking over

the bridge at Barefoot Landing. Standing at the top of the mountain, the

view is breath-taking. If you want to win, a person has to be

committed. From my experience I can tell you to

never try the hot wings there. She hardly never does her work.

Gerunds: verbs ending in –ing that work as nouns (P. 491)

Subject: Skiing is my passion. Object: I love skiing. (DO)

What other verbal can end in –ing? What is the difference between the two?

PRACTICE: P. 491Extra Practice: P. 498

Usage: Non-examples & Examples If a noun or pronoun is in front of the gerund, then the

noun or pronoun should be possessive case, not objective case.

Him being here is disturbing. His being here is disturbing.

John coming over could be disastrous. John’s coming over could be disastrous.

I like them coming to the house for Easter. I like their coming to the house for Easter.

Usage Practice: Fix these.

Do you think him coming over will be a distraction?

Nick trying on the tuxedo for the prom was a disaster when he bent over and burst the pants wide open at the store!

Her prom dress was becoming a frustrating shopping experience because of Joan criticizing all her friend’s choices.

NOW DIAGRAM THESE!! QUADRUPLE YAY!!!!!

BE CAREFUL: One is NOT a gerund.

Swimming is a tough sport. I love skiing. His being here at this time is

inappropriate. She is crying over the incident. John’s coming here could be disastrous. I like their coming to the house for

Easter.