Phrases-B5

= Grammar =

By: Taylor Brown, Enrique Vivar, Ryan Whites, James Kasper

= 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.**The strange green creatures with bobbing heads** spoke.

b.That lovely old pub by the bridge over the river barked.

c.Running around the block is one of my forms of excercise.

d.Trading cards is a hobby of mine.

e.Swimming is something that i abhor.

2. What is a //gerund phrase//?
A. Definition:begins with a gerund, an **-ing word**, and might include other modifiers and/or objects

B. Examples:

a.**//Eating ice cream on a windy day// can be a messy experience if you have long, untamed hair.**

b.**A more disastrous activity for long-haired people is //blowing giant bubble gum bubbles with the car windows down//.**

c.**Wild food adventures require //getting your hair cut to a short, safe length//.**

d.**//Jamming too much clothing into a washing machine// will result in disaster.**

e.**Bernard hates //buttering toast with a fork//.**

C. What is the difference between a //gerund phrase// and a //present participle phrase//?
i. Explanation:A gerund phrase is something that you do but hasn't been done. In contrast, a present participle is an action done presently.

ii. Examples:

a. (//Gerund//) - **Fighting** for a losing cause made them depressed.

b. (Present Participle)- Mrs. Olsen was **beating** our alligator over the head in an attempt to retrieve her poodle.

c. (//Gerund//)- **Swimming** in your pool is always fun.

d. (//Present Participle//) We heard him enter **laughing** madly.

e. (//Gerund//)**Telling** your father was a mistake

f. (//Present Participle//)**Thinking** (reason) that he would not need it, she took the car

3. What is an //infinitive phrase//?
A. Definition: An infinitive phrase will begin with an infinitive and include objects and/or modifiers.

B. Examples:

a. To run around in circles until we were dizzy.

b. To finish her history test before the rest of the class.

c. The team hopes to win there last game of the season.

d. To get through school without falling asleep, Katie drinks a cup of coffee every morning.

e. To kick the ball passed the defender.

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 it breaks the flow of a main clause, use a comma both before and after the interrupter. When it concludes a main clause, you need no punctuation to connect the two sentence components.

ii. Examples:

a. To avoid another ticket, Jim has decided to follow the speed limit.

b. The remarks you made to your teacher, to be perfectly honest, were very inappropriate and rude.

c. Sally and her friends went to the beach to look for young, cute surfers.

4. What is a //participial phrase//?
A. Definition: Consist of either a past or a present participle and any objects, and/or modifiers. Participial phrases always function as adjectives within a sentence.

B. Examples:

a. Hidden by the bushes, the cheetah stalked its pray.

b. By swerving out of the way, we avoided an accident.

c. While relaxing on the beach, we watched the boys play volleyball.

d. After being suspended, Jack had to face the consequences.

e. Ryan saw his best friend score the go ahead run, before leaving the game.

C. How do you use a //participial phrase// as an //introductory modifier//?
i. Explanation: When we begin a sentence with a modifying word, phrase, or clause, we must make sure the next thing that comes along can, in fact, be modified by that modifier. This often happens with beginning participial phrases.

ii. Examples:

a. By rewording the sentence, Chris found it to make a lot more sense.

b. To keep the team in shape, our coach set up a summer workout program.

c. Changing the oil every 3,000 miles, the car seemed to run smoother.

D. How do you use a //participial phrase// as a //parenthetical element//?
i. Explanation: A sentence element is parenthetical, or nonrestrictive, if it supplies information not essential to the clear meaning of the sentence.

ii. Examples:

a. Mr. Smith, who was the volleyball coach last year, decided to retire.

b. The new mall, which opened last week, was packed with curious shoppers.

c. The new coach, who used to play for UCLA, was highly qualified for the job.

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/gerundphrase.htm

http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/dick/tta/phrases/phrases.htm

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_verbalsA1.html

http://lilt.ilstu.edu/jhreid/grammar/present_participles.htm