AP English LanguageGrammar Intensive

Phrases Review

Prepositional Phrases

A group of words beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun

[at the post office] [to school]The noun or pronoun that ends a

prepositional phrase is called the object of the preposition

Don’t be misled by a modifier coming after the noun/pronoun

Adjective Phrase

Prepositional phrases used as adjectivesUsually follows the word it modifiesMore than one adjective phrase can

modify the same noun/pronounSometimes an adjective phrase can

modify the object of a previous prep phrase

Some frogs produce a poison [from glands] [in their skin]

Adverb Phrase

Prepositional phrases used as an adverb to tell when, where, in what way (how), or to what extent.

Modifies a verb, adjective or adverbMay appear anywhere in sentencesMore than one adverb phrase can modify

the same word

Adverb Phrase - continued

VERB: The book was written [in the 1800’s].

ADJ: [In a short time], the book became popular.

ADV: Twain became famous early [in his career].

[During his youth], Twain worked [as a newspaper writer].

Appositive Phrase

Appositive: a noun or pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it

Appositive phrase: an appositive and its modifiers

Your friend [Ramla] called after you left.Jesse Sheng, [the vice president of the

bank], sent me a card.

Participles

A verb form that can be used as an adjective – present and past

Present: ends in –ingPast: usually end in –ed or –dThe pacing lion made me nervous.The hunted animal camouflaged itself.

Participial Phrases

A phrase containing a participle and any complements or modifiers it may have

[Removing his coat], Jack rushed to the river.

[Hesitating for a moment], he quickly grasped the situation.

High school graduates [replying to a college questionnaire about their courses] often mention freshman English as the course [giving them the most trouble].

Gerunds and Gerund Phrases

A verb form that is used as a nounEnds in –ingGerund phrase consists of a gerund and

all of the related wordsTest: try replacing the gerund/phrase with

“it” or “this”… if it works, it’s a gerund!Studying always makes Trevor hungry.My favorite pastime is sailing.Ada made reading a top priority.[Waiting on tables] is a good way to earn

money in the summer.