GRAMMAR UNIT 2PHRASES & CLAUSES

WHAT IS A PHRASE?• A phrase is a group of related words that does

not contain a subject and verb.

• Common Phrases Prepositional Phrases Infinitive Phrases Participial Phrases Gerund Phrases

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE• Begins with a preposition (in, on, under, over, around,

of, about, through, etc.)• Followed by an object and any modifiers• Functions as an adjective or adverb• Examples• The cadets marched through the woods.• through is the preposition• the is the modifier for the object woods• functions as an adverb• Everyone in the class wrote an essay.• in is the preposition• the is the modifier for the object class• functions as an adjective

INFINITIVE PHRASE• Begins with an infinitive: “to” + verb• Followed by an object and any modifiers• Functions as a noun, adjective or adverb• Examples• To exercise every day is a good habit.• to exercise is the infinitive• every is the modifier for the object day• Functions as a noun

• I was relieved to finish my project.• to finish is the infinitive• my is the modifier for the object project• Functions as an adjective

PARTICIPIAL PHRASE• Begins with a participle: verb ending in “-ed,” “-en,”

or “-ing”• Followed by an object and any modifiers• Functions as an adjective• Examples

• The marine biologist, diving near a reef, saw a shark.• diving is the participle• near a are the modifiers for the object “reef”• Functions as an adjective

• Known for her patience, Mrs. Garcia was his favorite teacher.• known is the participle• for her are the modifiers for the object patience• Functions as an adjective

GERUND PHRASE• Begins with a gerund: verb ending in “-ing”• Followed by object and any modifiers• Functions as a noun• Examples• Marching in unison builds teamwork.• marching is the gerund• in is the modifier for the object unison• Functions as a noun

• The student enjoys taking morning classes.• taking is the gerund• morning is the modifier for the object classes• Functions as a noun

WHAT IS A CLAUSE?• A clause is a group of related words that

contains both a subject and a verb.

• Two Types of Clauses:• Independent Clause• Dependent Clause

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE• Contains a subject and a verb• Makes a complete statement• Can stand alone• Examples• Del Mar is a community college.• Del Mar is the subject• is is the verb• a community college completes the thought

• The Writing Center offers a variety of services.• The Writing Center is the subject• offers is the verb• a variety of services completes the thought

DEPENDENT CLAUSE• Contains a subject and a verb• Does not make a complete statement• Cannot Stand Alone• Begins with a subordinating conjunction or a

relative pronoun:• Subordinating conjunctions = after, although, as,

because, before, if, since, until, when• Relative pronouns = who, whom, that, which, whose

EXAMPLES OF DEPENDENT CLAUSE

• Because the student prepared for the exam, she answered all of the questions correctly.• because is the subordinating conjunction• the student is the subject• prepared is the verb• for the exam completes the dependent clause

• The uniform that I am required to wear is green and brown.• that is the relative pronoun• I is the subject• am is the verb• required to wear completes the dependent

clause

PRACTICE: PHRASESIdentify the type of phrase in the following

sentences:

1. Being an excellent cook, Ryan hosted a dinner party.

2. To be elected president is his objective.

3. The puppy chased the kitten around the house.

4. Hoisting the sail correctly is a critical component of yachting.

ANSWER KEY:

Identify the type of phrase in the following:

1. Being an excellent cook, Ryan hosted a dinner party. Participial Phrase

2. To be elected president is his objective. Infinitive Phrase

3. The puppy chased the kitten around the house. Prepositional Phrase

4. Hoisting the sail correctly is a critical component of yachting. Gerund Phrase

PRACTICE: CLAUSESIdentify the type of clause in the following

sentences:

1. I walk my dog every day.

2. Because he is a teacher.

3. As the soccer player scored the winning goal.

4. Zeke hit his thumb with a hammer.

ANSWER KEY:

Identify the type of clause in the following:

1. I walk my dog every day. Independent

2. Because he is a teacher. Dependent

3. As the soccer player scored the winning goal. Dependent

4. Zeke hit his thumb with a hammer. Independent

SENTENCE TYPES

1.Simple2.Compound3.Complex4.Compound-Complex

SIMPLE

• one independent clause• I like Spongebob.

COMPOUND

• two or more independent clauses• I like Spongebob, and I

like Plankton.

COMPLEX

• dependent clause and independent clause• Because he makes me

laugh, I like Spongebob.

COMPOUND-COMPLEX

• two independent clauses and one dependent clause• Because they make me

laugh, I like Spongebob, and I like Plankton.