Phrases-H5

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 * II. Phrases**

**1. What is a //phrase//?**
A. Definition: Two or more words in sequence that form a syntactic unit that is less than a complete sentence.

B. Examples:

a. leaving behind the children

b. crashing into a wall

c. after the last mistake

d. between ignorance and intelligence

e. because of her remarks

**2. What is a //gerund phrase//?**
A. Definition: Gerund phrases end in –ing, but always behave as nouns

B. Examples:

a. Eating chicken soup on a rainy day

b. Getting the check

c. Crying of the babies

d. Yelling of the men

e. Making the cut-off


 * C. What is the difference between a //gerund phrase// and a //present participle phrase//?**

i. Explanation: a gerund phrase will always function as a noun while a present participle phrase has the job of modifying another word in the sentence.

ii. Examples:

a. (//Gerund//) Stuffing too much food in the refrigerator can make it smell bad.

b. (//Present Participle//) Stuffing too much food in the refrigerator, Karen wouldn’t have to go back to the market for at least two weeks.

c. (//Gerund//) Tammy hates putting a lot of cream cheese on her bagel.

d. (//Present Participle//) Putting a lot of cream cheese on her bagel, Tammy realized that she didn’t fell like having a bagel anymore.

e. (//Gerund//) My brother has a habit of forgetting to put the toilet seat down.

f. (//Present Participle//) Last night I fell in the toilet because of my brother’s habit of forgetting to put the toilet seat down.


 * 3. What is an //infinitive phrase//?**

A. Definition: An infinitive phrase will begin with an infinitive [**//to//** + simple form of the verb] and include objects and/or modifiers. Infinitive phrases can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

B. Examples:

a. To run to the store

b. To cook a meal

c. Her goal was **to finish the test** without making any mistakes.

d. **To get through school** without falling asleep she needs her coffee.

e. She is taking history **to learn more** about her past.


 * C. How do you punctuate an //infinitive phrase//?**

i. Explanation: When an infinitive phrase introduces a main clause, separate the two sentence components with a comma. When an infinitive phrase breaks the flow of a main clause, use a comma both before and after the interrupter. When an infinitive phrase concludes a main clause, you need no punctuation to connect the two sentence components.

ii. Examples:

a. To better understand math, Kelly hired a tutor.

b. Her outfit, to be blunt, was totally inappropriate for school.

c. The Indians went hunting to catch food for dinner.


 * 4. What is a //participial phrase//?**

A. Definition: Consists of a past or a present participle and any objects, and/or modifiers. Participial phrases always function as adjectives within a sentence.

B. Examples:

a. The **slyly hunting** dog snuck up on the geese.

b. **Hidden** **by the trees**, the children couldn’t find their dog.

c. We saw the horses **dashing through the snow**.

d. We picked up the dishes **broken in the fight**.

e. Mary and Sally spent the night **laughing loudly**.


 * C. How do you use a //participial phrase// as an //introductory modifier//?**

i. Explanation: When a participle phrase begins a sentence, a comma often sets it off, as it constructs an introductory modifier.

ii. Examples:

a. Humiliated, she turned quietly and left the room.

b. Fleeing the scene, he forgot to destroy the evidence.

c. Terrified by the robber, they did exactly what he said.

**D. How do you use a //participial phrase// as a //parenthetical element//?**
i. Explanation: A participle phrase as a parenthetical element is surrounded by commas in the senctence.

ii. Examples:

a. The river rock, having been worn by millions of years of water, was smooth and slippery.

b. The firefighters, working all day, were able to put out the fire.

c. The tree, having been planted three years ago, was almost as tall as the house.