Phrases
Introduction
Here, we start the construction of your writing with the phrase, one of the key
building blocks of the sentence. There are several different kinds of phrases,
including prepositional phrases (with the subcategories adjectival phrases and
adverbial phrases), appositives, and verbals. In this section, you learn them
all. First, I teach you the individual parts of each different phrase and then
ease you into the phrases themselves.
A phrase is a group of words that functions in a sentence as a single part of
speech. A phrase does not have a subject or a verb. As you write, you use
phrases to …
Add detail by describing.
Make your meaning more precise.
Fold in additional information.
The following table shows the different types of phrases.
Different Types of Phrases
Type of Phrase ------------ Definition ---------------- Example
Prepositional ---------------Begins with a preposition------ … by the lake
----------------------and ends with a noun or a pronoun
Adjectival -----------Prepositional phrase that funtions------She has a fish
----------------------------as an adjective ---------------with red gills
Adverbial ------------Prepositional phrase that functions-----We cheered
------------------------------as an adverb---------------with loud voices.
Appositive -------------Noun or pronoun that renames------Lou, a Viking,
------------------------- another noun or pronoun--------enjoys plunder.
Verbal -----------------A verb form used as another ----(See the following
----------------------------part of speech--------------- three entries.)
Participle ---------------Verbal phrase that functions----Eating slowly, the
----------------------------as an adjective -------child was finally quiet.
Gerund ---------------Verbal phrase that functions---- Partying hearty
------------------------------as a noun ---------requires great endurance.
Infinitive ------------ Verbal phrase that functions---- To sleep late on
-------------------as a noun, adjective, or adverb-- Sunday is a real treat.