PhrasesPhrases

CompositionComposition

Goals: Using prepositions in writingGoals: Using prepositions in writing

1.1. Do not end sentences on prepositions. Do not end sentences on prepositions.

2.2. Reduce strings of prepositional phrases.Reduce strings of prepositional phrases.

3.3. Begin sentences with prepositional phrases to Begin sentences with prepositional phrases to vary sentence beginnings.vary sentence beginnings.

Prepositional PhrasesPrepositional Phrases

A A prepositional phraseprepositional phrase is a group of words is a group of words beginning with a preposition and ending with a beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun.noun or pronoun.

Prepositions are words that show relationships: Prepositions are words that show relationships: beneathbeneath the tree the tree above above her deskher desk around around the cornerthe corner according to according to the bookthe book as a result of as a result of the experimentthe experiment

Prep. phrases can be removed and the Prep. phrases can be removed and the sentence will still make sense. sentence will still make sense.

Objects of PrepositionsObjects of Prepositions

Prepositional phrases Prepositional phrases MUSTMUST end with a noun end with a noun or pronoun, which is called the or pronoun, which is called the object of the object of the prepositionpreposition.. NO: Waterford is the city I live NO: Waterford is the city I live inin.. YES: Waterford is the city in which I live.YES: Waterford is the city in which I live. YES: I live in Waterford.YES: I live in Waterford.

Adjective Prep. PhrasesAdjective Prep. Phrases

An adjective phrase is a prepositional An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun.

Adjectives tell Adjectives tell which one which one or or what kindwhat kind..ExamplesExamples That tall building That tall building with the red towerwith the red tower is our is our

new library. new library. The painting The painting below the plaquebelow the plaque is a is a

Monet.Monet.

Adverb Prep. PhraseAdverb Prep. Phrase

An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase that An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Adverbs tell Adverbs tell how, when, where, to what how, when, where, to what extent/degree.extent/degree.

ExamplesExamples Louisa May Alcott wrote Louisa May Alcott wrote with great carewith great care. . I always walk I always walk along the riveralong the river.. The old manor was rich The old manor was rich in traditionsin traditions. . Thomas Hardy wrote poetry late Thomas Hardy wrote poetry late in lifein life. .

Placement of Prep PhrasesPlacement of Prep Phrases

• When you combine sentences using prep. When you combine sentences using prep. phrases, be sure to place an adjective phrase phrases, be sure to place an adjective phrase close to the noun or pronoun it modifies.close to the noun or pronoun it modifies.• The cat The cat with the fluffy tailwith the fluffy tail chased the girl. chased the girl.• The cat chased the girl The cat chased the girl with the fluffy tail.with the fluffy tail.

• Prepositional phrases that modify verbs can Prepositional phrases that modify verbs can appear anywhere in the sentence.appear anywhere in the sentence.• Brett phoned his father Brett phoned his father during third periodduring third period..• During third period, During third period, Brett phoned his father.Brett phoned his father.

Commas With Prep Commas With Prep PhrasesPhrases

When used to introduce a sentence, the When used to introduce a sentence, the prepositional phrase is set off by commasprepositional phrase is set off by commas EX: EX: During 4During 4thth hour hour, my stomach started to , my stomach started to

growlgrowl When used within a sentence, do NOT When used within a sentence, do NOT

set off the phrase using commas.set off the phrase using commas. EX: My stomach started to growl EX: My stomach started to growl during 4during 4thth

hourhour. .

Reducing Wordiness with Prep Reducing Wordiness with Prep PhrasesPhrases

Reduce strings of prepositional phrases in Reduce strings of prepositional phrases in sentences.sentences. Turn adjective prep. phrases into adjectives.Turn adjective prep. phrases into adjectives.

NO: That house is NO: That house is on the corner on the corner by the gas station.by the gas station. YES: That YES: That cornercorner house is located by the gas house is located by the gas

station.station.

Turn adverb prep phrases into adverbs.Turn adverb prep phrases into adverbs. We will go to the game We will go to the game after it endsafter it ends.. We will go to the game We will go to the game laterlater..

Reducing Wordiness Cont’dReducing Wordiness Cont’d

Reduce compound prep phrases into single Reduce compound prep phrases into single prepositions.prepositions. NO: Learning to write will open a whole new NO: Learning to write will open a whole new

world with reference to career opportunities.world with reference to career opportunities. YES: Learning to write will open a whole new YES: Learning to write will open a whole new

world of career opportunities.world of career opportunities.

Goal: Using appositives in writingGoal: Using appositives in writing

1.1. Use appositives to combine short, Use appositives to combine short, choppy sentences.choppy sentences.

AppositivesAppositives

An appositive is a noun or pronoun that follows another An appositive is a noun or pronoun that follows another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it. noun or pronoun to identify or explain it.

An appositive phrase is made up of an appositive and An appositive phrase is made up of an appositive and its modifiers.its modifiers.

Appositive phrases do not begin with verbs.Appositive phrases do not begin with verbs.1.1. Tip: Tip: Commas often signal appositive phrases.Commas often signal appositive phrases.2.2. Tip: Tip: Check for names.Check for names.

ExamplesExamples Her brother Her brother Bill Bill called for her.called for her. We visited Boston harbor, We visited Boston harbor, the site of the Boston Tea Partythe site of the Boston Tea Party.. George Washington, George Washington, our first Presidentour first President, was a great military , was a great military

leader.leader.

Using Appositive PhrasesUsing Appositive Phrases

Combine sentences using appositives when one Combine sentences using appositives when one sentence gives information describing a noun or sentence gives information describing a noun or pronoun in the other sentence.pronoun in the other sentence.

Appositives must be next to the noun or pronoun Appositives must be next to the noun or pronoun it renames.it renames.

Do not start with a verb.Do not start with a verb. I spent my evening on the boardwalk. The boardwalk I spent my evening on the boardwalk. The boardwalk

is a type of sidewalk.is a type of sidewalk. I spent my evening on the boardwalk, I spent my evening on the boardwalk, a type of a type of

sidewalksidewalk..

Goal: Using Participles in WritingGoal: Using Participles in Writing

1.1. Use participles to combine short, Use participles to combine short, choppy sentences.choppy sentences.

2.2. Begin sentences with participial phrases Begin sentences with participial phrases to vary sentence beginnings.to vary sentence beginnings.

Verbals: ParticiplesVerbals: Participles

Verbals are formed from verbs, but are not used as Verbals are formed from verbs, but are not used as verbs in a sentence.verbs in a sentence.

PARTICIPLESPARTICIPLES A participle is a verb form (verbal) that can be used as A participle is a verb form (verbal) that can be used as

an adjective. There are two forms of participles: an adjective. There are two forms of participles: present participles and past participles.present participles and past participles.

Participles, because they are adjectives, can be taken Participles, because they are adjectives, can be taken out of the sentence (the sentence will still make sense).out of the sentence (the sentence will still make sense).

Present ParticiplePresent Participle Ex: The Ex: The skiddingskidding car stopped just in time. car stopped just in time.

Past ParticiplePast Participle Ex: The Ex: The pleasedpleased audience gave a standing ovation. audience gave a standing ovation.

Participial PhraseParticipial Phrase

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

TipTip: Participial phrases end at the next : Participial phrases end at the next punctuation mark, the next verb, or the noun it punctuation mark, the next verb, or the noun it describes.describes.

ExamplesExamples Ex: Ex: Nodding his headNodding his head, the defendant acknowledged , the defendant acknowledged

his guilt. his guilt. Ex: Ex: Convinced by his familyConvinced by his family, he submitted his book , he submitted his book

for publication. for publication.

Using ParticipialsUsing Participials

To form a participial phrase, combine sentences:To form a participial phrase, combine sentences:1.1. Begin the phrase/sentence with a verb (past or Begin the phrase/sentence with a verb (past or

present).present).2.2. Complete the phrase.Complete the phrase.3.3. Follow the phrase with a comma.Follow the phrase with a comma.4.4. Follow the comma with a noun or pronoun (one that Follow the comma with a noun or pronoun (one that

the phrase describes).the phrase describes).5.5. Complete the rest of the sentence.Complete the rest of the sentence.6.6. Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the

sentence and makes sense.sentence and makes sense.7.7. Be sure the phrase can be removed from the Be sure the phrase can be removed from the

sentence.sentence.

Goal: Using Gerunds in Goal: Using Gerunds in WritingWriting

1.1. Use gerunds to combine short, choppy Use gerunds to combine short, choppy sentences.sentences.

2.2. Begin sentences with gerund phrases to Begin sentences with gerund phrases to vary sentence beginnings.vary sentence beginnings.

Verbals: GerundsVerbals: Gerunds

A gerund is a word ending in A gerund is a word ending in –ing–ing that is formed that is formed from a verb and is used as a from a verb and is used as a nounnoun..

Gerunds can be subjects, direct objects, indirect Gerunds can be subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, and objects of objects, predicate nominatives, and objects of prepositions.prepositions.

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES Reading Reading is fun. (subject)is fun. (subject) She loves She loves dancingdancing. (direct object). (direct object) He gave He gave studying studying his attention. (indirect object)his attention. (indirect object) My hobby is My hobby is shoppingshopping. (predicate nominate). (predicate nominate) I sometimes dream about I sometimes dream about flyingflying. (object of preposition). (object of preposition)

Gerund PhrasesGerund Phrases

A gerund phrase (the gerund and any modifiers or A gerund phrase (the gerund and any modifiers or complements it may have) functions as a noun.complements it may have) functions as a noun.

Tips: Tips: Gerunds can not be taken out of the sentence (the sentence won’t Gerunds can not be taken out of the sentence (the sentence won’t

make sense without it).make sense without it). Commas are not used to set off gerunds.Commas are not used to set off gerunds. Generally, gerund phrases end at the next punctuation mark or the Generally, gerund phrases end at the next punctuation mark or the

next verb.next verb.

ExamplesExamples Boiling an egg properlyBoiling an egg properly is not easy for me. (subject) is not easy for me. (subject) The manager admitted The manager admitted sending the ordersending the order. (direct object). (direct object) The judge warned him about The judge warned him about telling lies.telling lies. (object of (object of

preposition)preposition)

Gerund or Participle?Gerund or Participle?

Gerunds and participles look similar because Gerunds and participles look similar because both are formed from verbs and may end the both are formed from verbs and may end the same (-ing).same (-ing).

How can you tell the difference?How can you tell the difference? Gerunds CAN NOT be taken out.Gerunds CAN NOT be taken out. Participles CAN be taken out. Participles CAN be taken out.

Using GerundsUsing Gerunds

To create a gerund:To create a gerund: Begin the sentence (or phrase) with a verb ending in Begin the sentence (or phrase) with a verb ending in

–ing–ing.. Complete the phrase.Complete the phrase. Follow the phrase with a verb (no comma).Follow the phrase with a verb (no comma). Complete the rest of the sentence.Complete the rest of the sentence. Make sure that the phrase can not be removed from Make sure that the phrase can not be removed from

the sentence.the sentence. Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the

sentence and makes sense.sentence and makes sense.

Goal: Using Infinitives in Goal: Using Infinitives in WritingWriting

1.1. Use infinitives to combine short, choppy Use infinitives to combine short, choppy sentences.sentences.

2.2. Begin sentences with infinitive phrases Begin sentences with infinitive phrases to vary sentence beginnings.to vary sentence beginnings.

Verbals: InfinitivesVerbals: Infinitives

An infinitive is a verb form, usually preceded by An infinitive is a verb form, usually preceded by toto, that can be used as a noun (person, place, , that can be used as a noun (person, place, thing) or a modifier (adjective or adverb).thing) or a modifier (adjective or adverb). to danceto dance to singto sing

Infinitive PhrasesInfinitive Phrases

An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and any An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and any complements or modifiers it may have.complements or modifiers it may have.

Tip: Infinitives end at the next verb or punctuation mark.Tip: Infinitives end at the next verb or punctuation mark. Tip: Ask Tip: Ask what/wherewhat/where after the infinitive to locate the rest of after the infinitive to locate the rest of

the phrase.the phrase. To go to the storeTo go to the store, you will need my car., you will need my car. You will need You will need to walk slowly on icy sidewalks.to walk slowly on icy sidewalks.

Note: Note: Don’t split infinitives by inserting a word between Don’t split infinitives by inserting a word between “to” and the verb.“to” and the verb. Incorrect: Incorrect: To To boldlyboldly go go where no man has gone before. where no man has gone before. Correct: Correct: To go boldlyTo go boldly where no man has gone before. where no man has gone before.

Using InfinitivesUsing Infinitives

To create an infinitive:To create an infinitive: Start the phrase (or sentence) with the word Start the phrase (or sentence) with the word

toto and follow it with a verb. and follow it with a verb. Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the Check that the phrase flows smoothly in the

sentence and makes sense.sentence and makes sense.