Phrases and Clauses

1. Phrases and Clauses A Phrase is a group of related words that is used as a single part of speech and does not contain a verb and its subject. A clause is a group of words that contains a verb and its subject.

2. Prepositional Phrase • A prepositional phrase is a group of words consisting of a preposition, a noun or pronoun that serves as the object of the preposition, and any modifiers of that object. (The object of the preposition may be compound.) • Gabbie and her brother walked in front of the stage. • Bailey and Kaenen waved to us. • Inside the small cabin Megan and Brenna found shelter from the cold.

3. Adjective Phrase • An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. • A book of jokes might make a good gift. • Liza, Megan, and Julia are the musicians that appeared on the magazine cover. • Marcus is the young boy in that picture on the wall next to his grandfather. • Is that your car with the flat tire in the driveway?

4. Adverb Phrase • An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. • My brother looks like my uncle. • They found the note in an old book. • Later in the afternoon, the storm brought high winds and rain. • The same movie has been playing for eight weeks.

5. Participles and Participial Phrases A participle is a verbal, or verb form, that can be used as an adjective. Present participles end in –ing. The comedian was amusing. Past participles usually end in –d or –ed. That faded rug belonged to my grandmother. Hopelessly lost and worried, Zach stopped and asked the police officer for directions. A participial phrase consists of a participle and its modifiers and complements. A participial phrase is used as a adjective. Imagining herself in space, Justine dreamed she was an astronaut. She imagined a young woman floating smoothly outside a space capsule. Soon, soothed by these pleasant thoughts, she drifted off to sleep.

6. Gerunds and Gerund Phrases A gerund is a verbal, or verb form, that ends in –ing and is used as a noun. ( Do not confuse a gerund with a present participle used as part of a verb phrase or as an adjective.) Subject:Cooking is an art for some people. Predicate Nominative: His favorite pastime is painting. Object of a Preposition: The road is closed because of flooding. Direct Object: Has the camera crew finished filming? A gerund phrase consists of a gerund and its modifiers and complements. A gerund phrase is used as a noun. Approaching the dog slowly was the most sensible idea. The poem celebrated the gentle blossoming of a rose. By moving through the crowded room, the mayor was able to greet all his supporters.

7. Infinitive and Infinitive Phrases An infinitive is a verbal, or verb form, that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. An infinitive usually begins with to. Nouns: To solve the puzzle was a challenge. Adjective: The fastest way to get home is on the expressway. Adverb: The hikers were too tired to take another step. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and its modifiers and complements. An infinitive phrase may be used as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun. After his operation, Brent will use leg exercises to strengthen his knee. Vivian was proud to display her drawings. To rescue those people Marcus had a lot of courage.

8. Appositives and Appositive Phrases An appositive is a noun or pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it. Appositives are often set off from the rest of the sentence by commas. However, when an appositive is necessary to the meaning of the sentence or is closely related to the word it refers to, no commas are necessary. The write Toni Morrison is a respected American novelist. Bill Cosby, a comedian and an actor, has written several books. An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and its modifiers. Miss Dominigues, a teacher at the Douglas school, is my aunt. Martin Luther King, Jr., the well-known leader in the civil rights movement, was also a minister.

9. Independent and Subordinate Clauses An independent (or main) clause expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence. The poet received many awards. Lucille Clifton wrote “Sisters,” and Diana Chang wrote “Saying Yes.” A subordinate (or dependent) clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. A word such as that, since, or what signals the beginning of a subordinate clause. that I memorized what she said since many people enjoy poetry The meaning of a subordinate clause is complete only when the clause is attached to an independent clause. “Lineage,” which is a poem by Margaret Walker, is about her ancestors. When I read Americo Paredes poem “Guitarreros,” I really liked it.

10. The Adjective Clause An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun. Unlike an adjective or adjective phrase, an adjective clause contains a verb and its subject. An adjective clause usually follows the word it modifies and tells which one or what kind. An adjective clause is usually introduced by a relative pronoun. Relative Pronouns that which who whom which Those who are competing in the next race should take their staring positions. I especially like stories that contain suspense. Science, which is taught by Ms. Pitrello, is my favorite class. Have you met the man who lives next door? The woman for whom she works does medical research.

11. The Adverb Clause An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Unlike an adverb or adverb phrase, an adverb clause contains a verb and its subject. Ad adverb clause tells how, when, where, why, to what extent, how much, how long, or under what conditions. Subordinating Conjunctions after although as as if as long as as soon as as though because before how if in order that since so that than though unless until when whenever where wherever whether while Jake missed the game because he overslept. If Milan is late, Imani will be unhappy. Before we played the game, we had a long practice.

12. The Noun Clause A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun. A noun clause may be used as a subject, a complement (predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object), or an object of a preposition. Common Introductory Words for Noun Clauses How when who if where whoever that whether Whom what which whomever whatever whichever why Subject: That I love baseball is a well-know fact. Predicate Nominative: Bread was what Deryn made for the picnic. Direct Object: He knew which bear was in the cave. Indirect Object: I will give whoever wins the race a trophy. Object of a Preposition: She is grateful for whatever help she can get.