Phrases-C5

= II. Phrases =

1. What is a //phrase//?
A. Definition:A sequence of words intended to have meaning.

A characteristic way or mode of expression. A brief, apt, and cogent expression. A word or group of words read or spoken as a unit and separated by pauses or other junctures. Grammar. Two or more words in sequence that form a syntactic unit that is less than a complete sentence. Music. A short passage or segment, often consisting of four measures or forming part of a larger unit. A series of dance movements forming a unit in a choreographic pattern.

B. Examples:

a.leaving behind the dog

b.smashing into a fence

c.before the first test

d.after the devastation

e.because of her glittering smile

2. What is a //gerund phrase//?
A. Definition:A gerund phrase is a sentence beginning with an “Ing” word.

B. Examples:

a.Helping out in your family is a major part of earning respect.

b.Eating hot and spicy foods is not a good idea before partaking in an athletic activity.

c.Groaning with terror, the patient wanted to die at the prick of the needle.

d.Lying is a bad habit to get into especially if you want to keep your dignity.

e.Dying is an essential part of life, even though we wish it not to be.

C. What is the difference between a //gerund phrase// and a //present participle phrase//?
i. Explanation: The difference is that 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//) Bernard hates buttering toast with a fork

b. (//Present Participle//) Buttering toast with a fork, Bernard vowed that he would finally wash the week's worth of dirty dishes piled in the sink.

c. (//Gerund//) My dog's most annoying habit is hogging the middle of the bed.

d. (//Present Participle//) Last night i had to sleep on the couch because i found Floyd, my dog, hogging the middle of the bed.

e. (//Gerund//) Bernard loves lying on the floor.

f. (//Present Participle//) Lying on the floor, Bernard vowed that he would never again feel as sick as he did at that moment.

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.

B. Examples:

a. **To smash a spider**

b. **To kick the ball past the dazed goalie**

c. **To lick the grease from his shiny fingers despite the disapproving glances of his girlfriend Gloria**

d. //**To finish her shift without spilling another pizza into a customer's lap**// **is Michelle's only goal tonight.**

e. **Lakesha hopes** //**to win the approval of her mother**// **by switching her major from fine arts to pre-med.**

C. How do you punctuate an //infinitive phrase//?
i. Explanation:

ii. Examples:

a.

b.

c.

4. What is a //participial phrase//?
A. Definition:

B. Examples:

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

C. How do you use a //participial phrase// as an //introductory modifier//?
i. Explanation:

ii. Examples:

a.

b.

c.

D. How do you use a //participial phrase// as a //parenthetical element//?
i. Explanation:

ii. Examples:

a.

b.

c.