Phrases

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Phrases

• Composition

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Goals Using prepositions in writing

• Do not end sentences on prepositions.
• Reduce strings of prepositional phrases.
• Begin sentences with prepositional phrases to
  vary sentence beginnings.

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Prepositional Phrases

• A prepositional phrase is a group of words
  beginning with a preposition and ending with a
  noun or pronoun.
• Prepositions are words that show relationships
• beneath the tree
• above her desk
• around the corner
• according to the book
• as a result of the experiment
• Prep. phrases can be removed and the sentence
  will still make sense.

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Objects of Prepositions

• Prepositional phrases MUST end with a noun or
  pronoun, which is called the object of the
  preposition.
• NO Waterford is the city I live in.
• YES Waterford is the city in which I live.
• YES I live in Waterford.

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Adjective Prep. Phrases

• An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase
  that modifies a noun or pronoun.
• Adjectives tell which one or what kind.
• Examples
• That tall building with the red tower is our new
  library.
• The painting below the plaque is a Monet.

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Adverb Prep. Phrase

• An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase that
  modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
  
• Adverbs tell how, when, where, to what
  extent/degree.
• Examples
• Louisa May Alcott wrote with great care.
• I always walk along the river.
• The old manor was rich in traditions.
• Thomas Hardy wrote poetry late in life.

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Placement of Prep Phrases

• When you combine sentences using prep. phrases,
  be sure to place an adjective phrase close to the
  noun or pronoun it modifies.
• The cat with the fluffy tail chased the girl.
• The cat chased the girl with the fluffy tail.
• Prepositional phrases that modify verbs can
  appear anywhere in the sentence.
• Brett phoned his father during third period.
• During third period, Brett phoned his father.

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Commas With Prep Phrases

• When used to introduce a sentence, the
  prepositional phrase is set off by commas
• EX During 4th hour, my stomach started to growl
• When used within a sentence, do NOT set off the
  phrase using commas.
• EX My stomach started to growl during 4th hour.

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Reducing Wordiness with Prep Phrases

• Reduce strings of prepositional phrases in
  sentences.
• Turn adjective prep. phrases into adjectives.
• NO That house is on the corner by the gas
  station.
• YES That corner house is located by the gas
  station.
• Turn adverb prep phrases into adverbs.
• We will go to the game after it ends.
• We will go to the game later.

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Reducing Wordiness Contd

• Reduce compound prep phrases into single
  prepositions.
• NO Learning to write will open a whole new world
  with reference to career opportunities.
• YES Learning to write will open a whole new
  world of career opportunities.

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Goal Using appositives in writing

1. Use appositives to combine short, choppy
   sentences.

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Appositives

• An appositive is a noun or pronoun that follows
  another noun or pronoun to identify or explain
  it.
• An appositive phrase is made up of an appositive
  and its modifiers.
• Appositive phrases do not begin with verbs.
• Tip Commas often signal appositive phrases.
• Tip Check for names.
• Examples
• Her brother Bill called for her.
• We visited Boston harbor, the site of the Boston
  Tea Party.
• George Washington, our first President, was a
  great military leader.

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Using Appositive Phrases

• Combine sentences using appositives when one
  sentence gives information describing a noun or
  pronoun in the other sentence.
• Appositives must be next to the noun or pronoun
  it renames.
• Do not start with a verb.
• I spent my evening on the boardwalk. The
  boardwalk is a type of sidewalk.
• I spent my evening on the boardwalk, a type of
  sidewalk.

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Goal Using Participles in Writing

1. Use participles to combine short, choppy
   sentences.
2. Begin sentences with participial phrases to vary
   sentence beginnings.

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Verbals Participles

• Verbals are formed from verbs, but are not used
  as verbs in a sentence.
• PARTICIPLES
• A participle is a verb form (verbal) that can be
  used as an adjective. There are two forms of
  participles present participles and past
  participles.
• Participles, because they are adjectives, can be
  taken out of the sentence (the sentence will
  still make sense).
• Present Participle
• Ex The skidding car stopped just in time.
• Past Participle
• Ex The pleased audience gave a standing ovation.

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Participial Phrase

• A participial phrase is a phrase containing a
  participle and any complements or modifiers it
  may have.
• Tip Participial phrases end at the next
  punctuation mark, the next verb, or the noun it
  describes.
• Examples
• Ex Nodding his head, the defendant acknowledged
  his guilt.
• Ex Convinced by his family, he submitted his
  book for publication.

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Using Participials

• To form a participial phrase, combine sentences
• Begin the phrase/sentence with a verb (past or
  present).
• Complete the phrase.
• Follow the phrase with a comma.
• Follow the comma with a noun or pronoun (one that
  the phrase describes).
• Complete the rest of the sentence.
• Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the
  sentence and makes sense.
• Be sure the phrase can be removed from the
  sentence.

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Goal Using Gerunds in Writing

• Use gerunds to combine short, choppy sentences.
• Begin sentences with gerund phrases to vary
  sentence beginnings.

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Verbals Gerunds

• A gerund is a word ending in ing that is formed
  from a verb and is used as a noun.
• Gerunds can be subjects, direct objects, indirect
  objects, predicate nominatives, and objects of
  prepositions.
• EXAMPLES
• Reading is fun. (subject)
• She loves dancing. (direct object)
• He gave studying his attention. (indirect object)
• My hobby is shopping. (predicate nominate)
• I sometimes dream about flying. (object of
  preposition)

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Gerund Phrases

• A gerund phrase (the gerund and any modifiers or
  complements it may have) functions as a noun.
• Tips
• Gerunds can not be taken out of the sentence (the
  sentence wont make sense without it).
• Commas are not used to set off gerunds.
• Generally, gerund phrases end at the next
  punctuation mark or the next verb.
• Examples
• Boiling an egg properly is not easy for me.
  (subject)
• The manager admitted sending the order. (direct
  object)
• The judge warned him about telling lies. (object
  of preposition)

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Gerund or Participle?

• Gerunds and participles look similar because both
  are formed from verbs and may end the same
  (-ing).
• How can you tell the difference?
• Gerunds CAN NOT be taken out.
• Participles CAN be taken out.

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Using Gerunds

• To create a gerund
• Begin the sentence (or phrase) with a verb ending
  in ing.
• Complete the phrase.
• Follow the phrase with a verb (no comma).
• Complete the rest of the sentence.
• Make sure that the phrase can not be removed from
  the sentence.
• Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the
  sentence and makes sense.

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Goal Using Infinitives in Writing

• Use infinitives to combine short, choppy
  sentences.
• Begin sentences with infinitive phrases to vary
  sentence beginnings.

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Verbals Infinitives

• An infinitive is a verb form, usually preceded by
  to, that can be used as a noun (person, place,
  thing) or a modifier (adjective or adverb).
• to dance
• to sing

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Infinitive Phrases

• An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive
  and any complements or modifiers it may have.
• Tip Infinitives end at the next verb or
  punctuation mark.
• Tip Ask what/where after the infinitive to
  locate the rest of the phrase.
• To go to the store, you will need my car.
• You will need to walk slowly on icy sidewalks.
• Note Dont split infinitives by inserting a word
  between to and the verb.
• Incorrect To boldly go where no man has gone
  before.
• Correct To go boldly where no man has gone
  before.

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Using Infinitives

• To create an infinitive
• Start the phrase (or sentence) with the word to
  and follow it with a verb.
• Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the
  sentence and makes sense.