Using Phrases

Prepositional Phrase

A prepositional phrase consists

of a preposition, its object, and

any modifiers of the object. It

can function as an adverb or

an adjective.

Here’s the Idea

By placing phrases properly,

you can make your writing

clear and descriptive.

On the English portion of the

ACT, proper placement of

phrases is a popular question.

Here’s the Idea

NOUN

PRONOUN

The dance club on Main Street holds

a contest every weekend.

Some of the competitors dance

professionally.

What does each adjective phrase modify?

Here’s the Idea

VERB

ADJECTIVE

The graceful champion dives into the pool.

The city diving finals are the

most difficult of all competitions.

What does each adverb

phrase modify?

Here’s the Idea

The placement of a prepositional

phrase can affect the meaning of

a sentence.

As you write, make sure

that prepositional phrases

appear to modify the words

you want them to modify.

Why It Matters

At the dog show the woman waits

beside her dog in the purple dress.

How does the placement of the highlighted

prepositional phrase affect the meaning of

this sentence?

Why It Matters

At the dog show the woman in the

purple dress waits beside her dog.

How could the position of the

prepositional phrase be changed

to make the meaning clear?

Why It Matters

Identify the prepositional phrase,

along with the word it modifies.

The ostrich is a bird for the record

books.

1.

Practice and Apply

Identify the prepositional phrase,

along with the word it modifies.

The ostrich also holds a record for

speed.

2.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence, changing the

position of a prepositional phrase so

that the meaning is clear.

John told us about the ostriches he had

photographed after the test.

4.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence, changing the

position of a prepositional phrase so

that the meaning is clear.

The ostrich photographs won first

prize by Chad.

5.

Practice and Apply

Appositives

An appositive is a noun or

pronoun that identifies or

renames another noun or

pronoun.

An appositive phrase is made up

of an appositive plus its

modifiers.

Here’s the Idea

Appositives can be essential

to the sentences meaning in

which case no commas are

needed.

Nonessential appositives

are unnecessary information

and are set off with

commas.

Here’s the Idea

NOUN

NOUN

The Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci drew a

flying machine with flapping wings around 1500.

Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian artist, drew a flying

machine with flapping wings around 1500 .

Essential v/s Nonessential?

Here’s the Idea

Identify the appositive in each

sentence. Is it essential or

nonessential?

Leonardo da Vinci, the great

Renaissance painter, was also an

inventor.

5.

Practice and Apply

Identify the appositive in each

sentence. Is it essential or

nonessential?

Practice and Apply

Submersibles, vessels that operate under

water, are used in research.

Identify the appositive in each

sentence. Is it essential or

nonessential?

Practice and Apply

The submersible Alvin can dive very deep.

Verbals

Participles Gerunds Infinitives

Participle

A participle is a verb form that

acts as an adjective. It modifies

a noun or a pronoun.

Here’s the Idea

NOUN

Exhausted, Monique finished her workout.

Here’s the Idea

Stumbling, the player

dropped the ball.

There are two kinds of participles.

He fell to the ground, exhausted.

past participle

present participle

Here’s the Idea

Participial Phrase

A participial phrase consists of

a participle plus its modifiers

and complements.

Here’s the Idea

The ball dropped by Martin went

out of bounds.

Participial phrases can be used

to add details to descriptions.

Here’s the Idea

Pay attention to the placement of

participial phrases in your writing.

A phrase in the wrong place is

known as a misplaced modifier

or dangling participle.

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODEL

Gasping for breath, the crowd

watched the runner. The runner

broke the ribbon.

DRAFT

A misplaced participial phrase, often called

a misplaced modifier, modifies a word other

than the one it is intended to modify.

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODEL

DRAFT

Gasping for breath, the crowd watched

the runner. The runner broke the ribbon.

Who is gasping for breath?

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODEL

Coming home with

the trophy, our

parrot said, “Hello!”

DRAFT

A dangling participial phrase does not

logically modify any of the words in the

sentence in which it appears.

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODEL STUDENT MODEL

DRAFT

Coming home with

the trophy, our

parrot said, “Hello!”

REVISION

Coming home with the

trophy, we heard our

parrot say, “Hello!”

Why It Matters

Identify the participle and the word it

modifies.

Smiling, John began to photograph

the butterflies.

6.

Practice and Apply

Identify the participial phrase and

the word it modifies.

Visiting gardens, the butterflies fly

among the flowers.

7.

Practice and Apply

Identify the participial phrase and

the word it modifies.

Butterflies, driven by instinct, use

the flowers as meal stops.

8.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence to eliminate the

dangling or misplaced participial phrase.

Hovering quietly, Jane saw a

hummingbird at the feeder.

9.

Practice and Apply

Rewrite the sentence to eliminate the

dangling or misplaced participial phrase.

The bird ate from the feeder

swooping in gracefully.

10.

Practice and Apply

Gerunds

A gerund is a verbal that ends in

-- ing and acts as a noun.

A gerund phrase consists of a

gerund plus its modifiers and

Complements.

Here’s the Idea

Gerunds

Here’s the Idea

Function Example

Subject Using the bow and arrow made

William Tell famous.

Predicate Nominative My goal is becoming a competent

archer.

Direct Object The teacher demonstrates holding the bow correctly.

Object of a Preposition Daily practice helps in developing archery skills.

Indirect Object I wanted to give using the bow and

arrow a chance.

A gerund or gerund phrase is an essential

part of the sentence.

Why It Matters

To distinguish between gerunds and

participles, see what it is doing in the

sentence.

Participles can be removed;

gerunds can not be removed.

Identify the gerund/gerund phrase and

what part of the sentence it is.

Practice and Apply

Skiing is an extremely popular

sport in many countries.

Identify the gerund/gerund phrase and

what part of the sentence it is.

Practice and Apply

The sport consists of gliding

over snow on runners called

skis.

Identify the gerund/gerund phrase and

what part of the sentence it is.

Practice and Apply

Many fans enjoy watching ski

competitions.

Identify the gerund/gerund phrase and

what part of the sentence it is.

Practice and Apply

Speeding down mountain slopes

thrills many skiers.

Infinitives

An infinitive is a verbal that

begins with the word “to” is

followed by a verb

to + verb

An infinitive phrase consists of an

infinitive plus its modifiers and

complements.

Here’s the Idea

Infinitives

Here’s the Idea

Function Example

Noun To find the lost child was

everyone’s goal.

Adverb To find the lost child, we

combed the woods.

Adjective Our efforts to find the lost

child ended in success.

The only problem with infinitives and infinitive

phrases is that they can be confused with

prepositional phrases.

•to + verb = infinitive

•to + noun/pronoun= preposition

Identify the infinitive phrase.

Practice and Apply

The tourists asked the bus driver

to go slower.

Identify the infinitive phrase.

Practice and Apply

Their purpose for taking the tour

was to see the countryside.

Identify the infinitive phrase.

Practice and Apply

The earliest attempts to fly

ended in embarrassment, if not

injury.

Identify the infinitive phrase.

We went to the store to buy groceries.

Identify the infinitive phrase.

I would like to go to the movies

this weekend.