CHAPTER 20

Phrases & Clauses

20.1 – Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional Phrase – a group of words made up of a preposition and a noun or pronoun (object of the preposition).

Prepositional phrases can modify other words by functioning either as adjectives or as adverbs within the sentence.

20.1 Prepositional Phrases

Adjective Phrase – is a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun by telling what kind or which one. Mary took lunch in a box. The mansion across the road has been

abandoned. Let’s take the picture of the Eiffel Tower. France is a country with many charms. We bought tickets for the trip to Paris.

20.1 Prepositional Phrases

Adverb Phrase – is a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb by pointing out where, when, in what way, or to what extent. She ran with speed. They were happy at the French café. The Loire Valley is rich in historical buildings. The French exchange student arrived late for

class. In the afternoon, we walked to Notre Dame.

20.1 Prepositional Phrases

France is situated above the Iberian Peninsula. During an avalanche, an alpine village

vanished. The painting of the palace in the museum is

old. The runner dashed past the spectators. France has miles of coastline. A French painting of great beauty hung in the

palace. They gave the students on the bus a tour.

20.1 Appositives

Appositive – is a noun or pronoun placed next to another noun or pronoun to identify, rename, or explain it.

They generally immediately follow the words they identify, rename, or explain.

Commas – if set off by commas they are nonessential to the sentence. If they don’t have commas then they are essential to the sentence. Her greatest attribute, charm, was not enough. The artist Monet was a great French painter. Jacques, our guide, told us about French People.

20.1 Appositives

Appositive Phrase – is a noun or pronoun with modifiers, placed next to a noun or pronoun to add information and details.

The modifiers within an appositive phrase can be adjective, adjective phrases, or other groups of words functioning as adjectives. Amethyst, a purple birthstone, is the gem for

February. Ernest Hemingway, a famous author, wrote in a

terse style. The chef prepared escargots, a small dish. Store the onions in the cellar, a cool, dry place.

20.1 Verbal Phrases - Participles Participle – is a form of a verb that can

act as an adjective. Present participle – verbs ending in –ing

(walking) Past participle – verbs ending in –ed

(walked) Answer the questions what kind or which

one about the nouns or pronouns that they modify. The hiker favored his aching ankle. Confused, Nan returned to her interrupted

work. Irma’s shining eyes betrayed her

excitement.

20.1 Verbal Phrases

Verb or Participle? Verbs show action, a condition, or that

something exists while a Participle acts like an adjective a modifies a noun or pronoun. The god is snarling at the plumber. The snarling dog attacked the plumber. Delighted, the audience applauded. The mimes delighted their audience. The French people have experienced

increasing prosperity since the 1940’s.

20.1 Participial Phrases

Participial Phrases – a participle modified by an adverb or adverb phrase or accompanied by a complement. The entire phrase acts as an adjective. Traveling quickly, we saw much of the French

countryside. The tourist, confused by the signs, got lost. The boy standing by the bus stop is Craig. The mural painted in 1497 is almost beyond repair. Painted in 1497, the mural is Leonardo’s

masterpiece. There is Craig, standing by the bus stop.

20.1 Gerunds

Gerund – form of a verb that acts like a noun Eating is my favorite pastime in France. The French people make visiting a pleasure. Mr. Mendoza’s lecture gave traveling a new

dimension. Brandy’s profession, advertising, is very

competitive. Their well-behaved dog showed signs of

careful training.

20.1 Gerund Phrases

Gerund Phrase – is a gerund with modifiers or a complement, all acting together as a noun. Arguing about grades will get you nowhere. Answering quickly is not always a good

idea. Pierre was incapable of reciting the poem. The French teacher tried giving her

students praise.

20.1 Verbs, Participle or Gerund? Words ending in –ing that act as nouns

are gerunds. They don’t have helping verbs, nor do they act as adjectives. Kevin is yawning at his desk. The yawning boy was very tired. Yawning is contagious. Reading is a popular pastime. Reading newspapers and magazines, the

commuter waited for the metro.

20.1 Infinitives

Infinitive – a form of a verb that generally appears with the word to and acts as a noun, an adjective or an adverb.

When they are used as a noun, they can be used in any part of a sentence (just like a gerund). To understand requires maturity and acceptance. The peasants of France decided to rebel. The French soldier’s only hope was to surrender. Our flight from Paris was about to leave. You have only one choice, to stay. The children showed a willingness to cooperate. Some people were unable to fight.

20.1 Infinitive Phrases

Infinitive Phrase – an infinitive with modifiers, complements, or a subject, all acting together as a single part of speech. Jeffrey’s entire family likes to rise early. To skate on the ice without falling was not

easy for him. He hated to leave the city of Lyon. They promised to show us the slides from

their trip to France. I would like her to determine her own goals.

20.1 Infinitive or Prepositional Phrase

Prepositional Phrase – always ends with a noun or pronoun.

Infinitives – always end with a verb. The French soldier listed to the command. The general’s purpose in the army is to

command. When I am in Paris, I like to drive. I travel is very easy in France. There are many different ways to tour. The subway will take you to every part of

the city.

20.2 Clauses

Independent Clause – can stand by itself as a complete sentence. They contain both a subject and verb. That woman teaches Latin. Mudslides will engulf these hillside villas, and some will

be ruined. Subordinate Clause – although it has a subject and

verb, it cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence; it can only be part of a sentence. Brian asked to be excused from studying because he

was ill. The woman to whom I introduced you teaches Latin. Unless the rain stops soon, mudslides will engulf these

hillside villas.

20.2 Adjective Clauses

Adjective Clause – is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun by telling what kind or which one.

They usually begin with a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whom, or whose) or a relative adverb (before, since, when, where, or why). All of these words relate the clause to the word it modifies. I finished reading the book that you loaned me. We gave the story, which we found fascinating, a

second read.

20.2 Adjective Clauses

Keep in mind the idea of essential vs. nonessential when looking at the subordinate clauses. Spring is the time when peppers make their

shrill evening sound. Our trip to Italy ended with a visit to the

town where my parents were born. Jean McCurdy, who studied three hours

every evening for a month, won the statewide competition.

The Roman Empire, which achieved greatness, had humble beginnings.

20.2 Adjective Clauses

Relative Pronouns & Adverbs – even though they connect the adjective clauses to the word that they modify, they also play a role within their clause.

An introductory word can be understood. The movie that is playing now is a comedy.

Clause – that is playing now Subject - _____ Verb - _______

The movie we saw last night was a documentary. Clause – (that) we saw last night Subject - _____ Verb - _______ Direct Object - ______

The movie in which Tony appeared was a hit. He is an actor whose work I admire. I remember the day when they began filming.

20.2 Adverb Clauses

Adverb Clause – modify verbs, adjective, adverbs, or verbals by telling where, when, in what way, to what extent, under what condition, or why.

All adverb clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Tricia seemed happy wherever she was. Faster than the eye could follow, the race car sped away. Drive a car if you do not wave a license is illegal. Laughing until he gasped for breath, Fred could not

speak. Before the year was over, Caesar made plans to march

into Rome.

20.2 Adverb Clauses

Elliptical Adverb Clause – is a clause in which the verb or subject and verb are understood but not actually stated. She resembles their father more than he. She resembles their father more than him. My little brother is now as tall as I. The story appealed to me more than them. The tour was more exhausting than

informative.

20.2 Noun Clauses

Noun Clause – is a subordinate clause that acts as a noun.

In a sentence, a noun clause may act as a subject, direct object, indirect object, predicate nominative, object of the preposition, or appositive. Whoever is last must pay a penalty. Please invite whomever you want. His manner gave whoever met him a shock. Our problem is whether we should stay here or leave. Use the money for whatever purpose you chose. The occupied country rejected our plea that orphans be

cared for by the Red Cross.