Identifying phrases, what are phrases
Infinitive phrase
"To" plus a verb and any other modifying words
Participle
Looks like a verb but acts like an adjective. Ends in "ing", "ed", or irregular past tense verbs (frozen, broken)
Adjective
Modifies a noun or pronoun, telling what kind, how many, or which one.
Adverb
Modifies a verb, telling Where? How? When? or To what extent? (also can modify adjectives and other adverbs)
phrase
a group of words that does not contain both a subject and a verb
Adverb phrase
a prepositional phrase that is mainly used to modify a verb. Also answers the questions: Where? When? or How? Occasionally will also answer the question Why?
adjective phrase
a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. Answers the questions: Which one? or What kind?
Infinitive
a verb form that usually begins with "to." . to + verb. To run, to swim, to walk.
[Listening carefully], he understood all the teacher said.
participle phrase
prepositional phrase
A group of words made up of a preposition, its object, and any words that modify the object.
verb
action in the sentence, helping and linking
I like [to swim in the ocean].
infinitive phrase
I need [to know the answer.]
infinitive phrase
I wanted [to see the movie.]
infinitive phrase
[To understand the lesson], you must listen carefully.
infinitive phrase
I plan to take French,[usually taught by Mrs. Milstead].
participle phrase
The TCAP, [given in April], makes some students nervous.
participle phrase
The girl [sitting in the last row] just moved here.
participle phrase
[Found only near the ocean], starfish are plentiful here.
participle phrase
participial phrase
phrase that includes the participle, its modifier, and its objects; example: DRIVING THROUGH THE SNOW, my father had to use caution. When a participial phrase is at the beginning of a sentence, it is always followed by a comma.
Four cups [of flour] went into the cake.
prepositional phrase
I went [to the mall] yesterday.
prepositional phrase
[To his students], Mr. Morris is a great teacher.
prepositional phrase
[With a loud shout],the boys entered the room.
prepositional phrase
[With just two minutes left], our team scored.
prepositional phrase
preposition
shows the relationship between a noun and a pronoun and another word in the sentence.
subject
who or what is doing the verb
