Grammar American & British . [ 3 ]

3- ] Grammar American & British . 

Chapter Three .

The Phrase .

Prepositional ,Verbal and Appositive .

A phrase is a group or related words that is used as a single part of speech and that does not contain both a verb and its subject .

Examples

could have been hiding . ( no subject )

in the kitchen . ( prepositional phrase – no subject or verb )

to go with them . ( infinitive phrases – no subject or verb )

- If a word group has both a subject and a verb , it is called a clause .

Example

The wind howled , when they left . ( clause ‘they’ is the subject of the verb ‘left’ )

Prepositional Phrases .

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or a pronoun that is called the object of the preposition . A word is used as a preposition if it has a noun or a pronoun as its object . A word is used as an adverb if it does not have an object . It includes a preposition , the object of the preposition and any modifiers of that object .

Examples

under the umbrella

for ourselves

next to them

among good friends

Examples

I left my boots outside the back door . ( word used as preposition )

I left my boots outside . ( word used as adverb )

The bird flew over the fence . ( word used as preposition )

The bird flew over . ( word used as adverb )

Everyone came aboard the boat . ( word used as preposition )

Everyone came aboard . ( word used as adverb )

- An article or another modifier may appear in a prepositional phrase .

- The noun or pronoun that completes a prepositional phrase is called the object of the preposition .

Example

She has the lead in the school play . ( ‘play’ is the object of the preposition ‘in’ )

- Any modifier that comes between the preposition and its object is part of the prepositional phrase. Into the thick mist vanished the carriage . ( The adjectives ‘the’ , and ‘thick’ modify the object ‘mist’ )

- An object of a preposition may be compound .

Example

Come with Ali and me to the concert . ( ‘Ali’ and ‘me’ compound objects of ‘with’ )

- A prepositional phrase always has an object that is a noun or pronoun . An infinitive is a verbal that usually begins with ‘to’ .

Send the package to them . ( prepositional phrase )

Are you ready to go ? ( infinitive )

The diamonds in the vault are priceless . [ ‘In’ shows the relationship between ‘the diamond’ and the object of the pre[position ,’vault’ ]

The telephone rang four times during dinner . [ ‘During’ shows the relationship between ‘rang’ and the object of the preposition , ‘dinner’ ]

Here is a gift for you . [ ‘For’ relates ‘gift’ to the object of the preposition , ‘you’ ]  

Practice

Prepositional Phrases .

Write each prepositional phrase . Underline the preposition and draw a circle around the object of the preposition .

1- ] The diameter of a circle extends from one side to the other .

2- ] Because of the power outage , we could not videotape the game .

3- ] During my study period , I consulted the adviser about my schedule .

4- ] On the outskirts of town are several parks .

5- ] In spite of the heat , band practice continued through the afternoon and into the evening .

6- ] In the fifties , people danced to the music of the big bands .

7- ] The blue of the sea stretched to the horizon .

8- ] Without a guide , white-water rafting can be dangerous .

9- ] Snorkeling is good in the shallow waters around coral reefs .

10- ] In the beginning of summer , builders added a porch to the rear of our house .

Pretest

Identifying Prepositional Phrases .

There are ten prepositional phrases in the paragraph below . Write the prepositional phrases . For each , write the word or words modified by the phrase . Then write ADJ[ adjective ] or ADV [ adverb ] to identify the type of phrase .

The bird came down the steps of the circular stairway and threw her bouquet toward the crowd of young girls . Her junior bridesmaid , who caught it , jumped for joy . At home , she dried the flowers in a dark closet as a memento of a perfect day in her young life .

Posttest

Identifying Prepositional Phrases .

Write the prepositional phrases . For each , write the word or words modified by the phrase . Then write ADJ [ adjective ] or ADV [ adverb ] to identify the type of phrase .

1- ] For her birthday , Linda requested yellow cake with chocolate icing .

2- ] Turn left at the fourth traffic light .

3- ] The next time I buy a car , I want to get one with a sunroof .

4- ] A group of coworkers had bought the winning lottery ticket .

5- ] Chapter seven of the book deals with sound waves .

6- ] The announcer on the sports channel graduated from this high school .

7- ] With a little luck , he will get a scholarship to an art school .

8- ] This package came for you .

9- ] The farmers’ market springs to life before dawn .

10- ] I’ll make some pasta with pesto sauce .

Practice

Prepositional Phrases .

Write the prepositional phrases .For each , write the word or words modified by the phrase . Then write ADJ [adjective ] or ADV [ adverb ] to identify the type of phrase .

1- ] In the morning , please water the garden .

2- ] Everyone should drink eight glasses of water daily .

3- ] The nightly news is a summary of the day’s events .

4- ] Please keep this information to yourself .

5- ] The primary colors can be seen in a rainbow .

6- ] I am carrying a pocketful of change .

7- ] For my family , I would do almost anything .

8- ] The ground under the front porch remains damp all year .

9- ] Because we were late , we stopped at a fast food restaurant .

10- ] Across the street lives my best friend .

Adjective Phrases .

An adjective phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or a pronoun and  used as an adjective .

Examples

Adel chose the sandwich with cheese . [ adjective phrase modifying a noun ]

She chose the blue one . ( adjective )

She chose the one with blue stripes . ( adjective phrase )

- An adjective phrase modifies a noun or a pronoun . Adjective phrases generally come after the words they modify and answer the same questions that single word adjectives answer ‘ What kind , Which one , How many , How much’ .

Examples

The store with the neon sign is open . ( prepositional phrase answers ‘Which one?’ )

We bought a CD by Janet Jackson . ( answers ‘What kind?’ )

- More than one adjective phrase may modify the same noun or pronoun .

Example

Here is a gift for you  from Uncle Steve . ( ‘for you’ , ‘from Uncle Steve’ modify gift )

- An adjective phrase may also modify the object in another adjective phrase .

Example

A majority of the mammals in the world sleep during the day . ( They modify ‘mammals’ )

Adverb Phrases .

An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase used as an adverb .

Example

The cavalry will reach the fort soon .  ( adverb )

The cavalry will reach the fort by noon . ( adverb phrase )

- An adverb phrase modifies a verb , an adjective or an adverb . Adverb phrases answer the same questions that single word adverbs answer ‘When ?’ , ‘Where ?’ , ‘How ?’ , ‘Why ?’ , ‘How often ?’ ‘How long ?’ , ‘To what extent ?’ .

We got our new puppy at the animal shelter . ( modifies the verb ‘get’ and answers the question ‘Where” )

A puppy is always ready for a game .  ( modifies the adjective ‘ready’ and answers the question ‘How’ )

The dog barks loudly for a puppy . ( modifies the adverb ‘loudly’ and answers the question ‘To what extent?’ )

- Unlike adjective phrases , which generally follow the word or words they modify , adverb phrases may appear at various places in sentences .

Examples

At dusk , we went inside to eat dinner .

We went inside at dusk to eat dinner .

We went to eat dinner at dusk .

- Like adjective phrases , more than one adverb phrase may modify the same word .

Examples

She drove for hours  through the storm . ( they modify the verb ‘drove’ )

The library is open during the day  on weekends . ( they modify the adjective ‘open’ )  

On Saturday we will rehearse our drill routine before the game .  ( they modify the verb phrase ‘will rehears’ )

- An adverb phrase may be followed by an adjective phrase that modifies the object in the adverb phrase .

Example

The boat landed on an island near the coast .  ( ‘on the island’ modifies the verb ‘landed’ – ‘near the coast’ is an adjective phrase’ modifies ‘island’ )

Verbal and Verbal Phrases .

  A verbal is a word that is formed from a verb , but is used as a noun and adjective or an adverb .

The Participle

A participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective . There are two kinds of participles .

1- ] Present Participles , end in –ing .

Examples

He rescued 3 people from the burning building . [ modifies the noun ]

Chasing  the cat , the dog ran down the street . [ modifies the noun ‘dog’ ]

2- ] Past Participles usually end in –d or –ed .Some past participles are formed irregularly .

Examples

Well trained , the soldier successfully carried out his mission . [ modifies the noun ‘soldier’ ]

We skated on the frozen pond .

- Do not confuse participles as adjectives with participles used in verb phrases . The participle in a verb phrase is part of the verb .

Examples

Discouraged  , the fans went home . [ adjective ]

The fans were discouraged by the string of losses . [ verb phrase ]

Singing cheerfully , the birds perched among the branches of the trees . [ adjective ]

The birds were singing cheerfully among the branches of the trees .  [ verb phrase ]

The Participial Phrase .

A participial phrase consists of a participle together with its modifiers and complements . The entire phrase is used as an adjective . A participial phrase contains a participle plus any complements and modifiers . 

Examples

The dog saw many ducks swimming in the lake .

Barking loudly , the dog approached the water .  

Stretching slowly , the cat jumped down from the window still . ( The participle ‘stretching’ is modified by the adverb ‘slowly’ . The phrase modifies ‘cat’. )

The tornado predicated by the meteorologist did not hit our area . ( The participle ‘predicted’ is modified by the prepositional phrase ‘by the meteorologist’ . The participial phrase modifies ‘tornado’ . )

Reading the assignment  , she took notes carefully . ( The participle ‘reading’ has the direct object ‘assignment’ . The phrase modifies ‘she’ . )

- A participial phrase should be placed close to the word it modifies . Otherwise , the phrase may appear to modify another word , and the sentence may not make sense .

Example

Hopping along the fence , I saw a rabbit . [ misplaced ]

I saw a rabbit hopping along the fence .

Practice .

Participles and Participial Phrases .

Write the participles and participial phrases . Then write the word or words each participle or participial phrase modifies .

1- ] The gathering clouds foretold a storm .

2- ] Born in Italy , Dino moved first to France and then to the United States .

3- ] Having learned German as a child , I could understand Florian .

4- ] These shoes , made of cork , are very comfortable .

5- ] Refreshed after a long night’s sleep , the golfer shot an amazing second round .

6- ] Newly clipped and groomed , the poodle hid under the bed in embarrassment .

7- ] The fallen apples littered the ground .

8- ] Dreaming of sun and surf , the three women booked passage on a cruise ship to the tropics .

9- ] After the fire , nothing was left but some charred furniture .

10- ] Maria , being a realist , spoke openly about the problem .

The Infinitive & The Infinitive Phrase .

The Infinitive .

An infinitive is a verb form that can be used as a noun , an adjective or an adverb . Most infinitives begin with to .

Examples

Nouns

To succeed is my goal . ( subject )

My ambition is to teach French . ( predicate nominative )

She tried to win . ( direct object of the verb ‘tried’ )

Adjectives

The place to meet tomorrow is the park . ( ‘to meet’ modifies the noun ‘place’ )

She is the one to call .  ( ‘to call’ modifies the pronoun ‘one’ )

Adverbs

She claims she was born to surf . ( ‘to serf’ modifies the verb ‘was born’ )

This math problem will be hard to solve  without a calculator .(‘to solve’ modifies the adjective ‘hard’ )

- To + a noun or a pronoun [ to Cairo , to her ] is a prepositional phrase not an infinitive .

Examples

I am going to the market today . ( prepositional phrase )

I am going to shop for new shoes . [ infinitive ]

Infinitives And Infinitive Phrases .

An infinitive is a verb form that is usually preceded by the word ‘to’ and is used as a noun , an adjective , or an adverb .

When you use the word ‘to’ before the base form of a verb , ‘to’ is not a preposition but part of the infinitive form of the verb .

Examples

To volunteer is rewarding . [ infinitive as subject ]

No one wants to leave . [ infinitive as direct object ]

Their decision was to merge . [ infinitive as predicate nominative ]

I felt the need to call . [ infinitive as adjective ]

Everyone was prepared to sacrifice . [ infinitive as adverb ]

An infinitive phrase contains an infinitive plus any complements and modifiers .

Examples

Would you prefer to sleep until noon ?

To speak slowly and clearly is important .

We plan to work safely and effectively .

Occasionally , an infinitive phrase may have its own subject .

Examples

Our neighbor encourages the dog to bark . [ ‘Dog’ is the subject of the infinitive ‘to bark . The entire infinitive phrase ‘the dog to bark’ acts as the direct object of the sentence ]

The teacher asked Maria to give a speech . [ ‘Maria’ is the subject of the infinitive ‘to give’ . The entire infinitive phrase ‘Maria to give a speech’ acts as the direct object of the sentence ]

The subject of the infinitive phrase comes between the main verb and the infinitive . The subject of an infinitive phrase always follows an action verb . Sometimes the word 'to’ is dropped before an infinitive .

Examples

Let me [to] do the dishes .

We could have heard a pin [to] drop .

An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive together with its modifiers and complements , The entire phrase may be used as a noun , an adjective or an adverb .

Examples

To be a good gymnast takes hard work .  ( The infinitive phrase ‘to be a good gymnast’ is used as a noun . The infinitive ‘To be” has a complement ‘a good gymnast’ )

The first person to fly over both the North Pole and the South Pole was Richard Byrd . ( The infinitive phrase is used as an adjective modifying the noun ‘person’ . The infinitive ‘to fly’ is modified by the prepositional phrase )

Are you ready to go to the gym now ? ( The infinitive phrase is used as an adverb modifying the adjective ‘ready’ . The infinitive ‘to go’ is modified by the prepositional phrase ‘to the gym’ and by the adverb ‘now’ .  

Practice .

Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases .

Write the infinitives and infinitive phrases . For each , write noun , adjective , or adverb to tell how the infinitive or infinitive phrase is being used .

1- ] I don’t like to wash dishes .

2- ] The counselors will explain the way to make out your schedule .

3- ] To eat properly is imperative  .

4- ] Our plan is to build in the spring .

5- ] Will you help plan the program ?

6- ] I use a calculator to help me with difficult math problems .

7- ] I was unable to hear in the auditorium .

8- ] Let me help you .

9- ] Suzan wants to go home

10- ] The team asked Sameer to get the pizza .  

Appositives and Appositive Phrases .

An appositive is a noun or pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify or describe it. An appositive phrase is an appositive plus any words that modify the appositive .

Examples

My teacher Mr. Ahmad enjoys books by Jane Austen .( an appositive identifying the noun ‘teacher’)

Mr. Ahmad wishes he could go back in time to talk to one author , her . ( the appositive identifies the noun ‘author’ )

An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and its modifiers .

Examples

I recently saw the movie version of ‘Persuasion’ , a novel by Jane Austen . ( ‘by Jane Austen’ an appositive , modifying ‘novel’ )

Amanda Root , the female lead in the movie , plays Anne Elliot . ( The noun ‘lead’ is the appositive , ‘the , ‘in the movie’ modify ‘lead’ )

My sister Sara works at the hospital . [The appositive ‘Sara’ identifies the noun ‘sister’ ]

She works with Dr. Martin , an award-winning pediatrician . [ The appositive phrase underlined identifies Dr. Martin [

- Appositives and appositive phrases that are not essential to the meaning of a sentence are  set off by commas .If the appositive is essential to the meaning it is generally not set off by commas. 

Examples

Anne , a goodhearted and intelligent woman , must learn not to be too easily persuaded by others .

( ‘learn not to be easily persuaded by others’ is an appositive phrase that adds descriptive information that is unnecessary to the sentence’s basic meaning , so it s set off by commas )

Anne’s friend Lady Russell sometimes gives Anne poor advice . ( Anne has more than one friend . The appositive ‘Lady Russell’ tells you which friend is meant , so it is not set off by commas )

Usually an appositive or an appositive phrase follows the noun or pronoun it identifies or explains . Occasionally , an appositive phrase precedes the noun or pronoun .

Example

A compassionate person , Jodi helps many patients .

Practice .

Appositive and Appositive Phrases .

Write each appositive or appositive phrase and the noun or pronoun that is identified or explained by the appositive .

1- ] My friend Ahmad has applied to four law schools .

2- ] Those trees , an elm and a maple ,are giants .

3- ] The boxing match , a championship bout , is on television tonight .

4- ] Our best mechanic , Adel has worked here for many years .

5- ] Mail your story to Mr. Arcaro , the contest director .

6- ] The potato , a good source of Vitamin C , is a member of the nightshade family .

7- ] An oil refinery , this plant is important to the town’s economy .

8- ] The novel To Kill a Mockingbird remains a favorite .

9- ] A valuable player , Salah will be missed in tonight’s playoff game .

10- ] The finale , five minutes of spectacular fireworks , delighted the fourth of July crowd .

Practice

Verbals and Appositives .

Identify each italicized word by writing one of these labels : participle , gerund , infinitive , appositive .

1- ] Jalal practices tumbling yesterday .

2-] The goldfinch , a songbird , perched on our tall flowers .

3- ] Bothered by the mosquitoes , we moved the activities indoors .

4- ] I enjoyed visiting Alaska .

5- ] Noura calmed herself by whistling .

6- ] Traveling along a country road , we spotted deer in the fields .

7- ] The defendant refused to answer the prosecutor’s question .

8- ] The cabin doesn’t have running water .

9- ] Hidden away in the attic , the love letters had yellowed and became brittle .

10- ] Laila plays the dulcimer , a stringed instrument .

Gerunds And Gerund Phrases .

A gerund is a verb form that ends in –ing and is used in the same way a noun is used .

Examples

Training is essential [ gerund as subject ]

My aunt enjoys golfing . [ gerund as direct object ]

We should give communicating more attention . [ gerund as indirect object ]

Do we get credit for trying ? [ gerund as object of preposition ]

His passion was sailing . [ gerund as predicate nominative ]

My favorite sports , boxing and wrestling , require strength and agility . [ gerund as appositive ]

A gerund phrase contains a gerund plus any complements and modifiers .

Examples

Climbing the mountain was a challenging activity .

I enjoy my grandmother’s down-home cooking .

Although both a gerund and a present participle end in –ing  , they function as different parts of speech . A gerund is used as a noun , whereas a present participle is used as part of a verb phrase or as an adjective .

Examples

Participle in a verb phrase .

I am sewing this hem . [ present participle functioning as main verb ]

Participle as an adjective

Sewing a button on her shirt , Beth pricked her finger . [ present participle in participial phrase modifying Beth ]

Gerund

Sewing is Beth’s favorite pastime . [ gerund functioning as subject .

Practice

Gerunds and Gerund Phrases .

Write the gerunds and gerund phrases . Identify the way each is used by writing one of these labels : subject , direct object , indirect object , object of a preposition , predicate nominative , appositive .

1- ] Seeing all her grandchildren gave Randa great pleasure .

2- ] The boys enjoy fishing .

3- ] Constant complaining is an annoyance .

4- ] The teacher gave his singing high praise .

5- ] We can save money by conserving energy .

6- ] After the rain , the child looked forward to his favorite pastime , jumping in mud puddles .

7- ] The band improved greatly by practicing every day .

8-  My least favorite chore is mowing the lawn .

9- ] Hassan loves reading the morning paper .

10- ]My parents’ regimen , exercising for an hour every morning , keeps them physically fit .

Absolute Phrases .

An absolute phrase , also known as a nominative absolute , consists of a noun or a pronoun that is modified by a participle or a participial phrase . An absolute phrase has no grammatical relation to the rest of the sentence .

An absolute phrase belongs neither to the complete subject nor the complete predicate of a sentence. It stands ‘absolutely’ by itself in relation to the rest of the sentence .

Examples

Its wings badly damaged in the storm  , the aircraft crashed .

We departed on schedule , the weather [ being ] perfect .

Practice .

Absolute Phrases .

Write each absolute phrase .

1- ] Their chores completed , the children played until bedtime .

2- ] We eased the car , its engine still smoking , off the highway .

3- ] Their wings singed by the fire , the butterflies were barely able to fly .

4- ] The two boys , their hopes dashed , dropped out of the competition .

5- ] The construction completed , the family moved into their new cottage by the lake .

6- ] We wore jackets , the air being cold .

7- ] The sun having set , lights dotted the mountainside .

8- ] His plane approaching the airport , the pilot lowered the wheels .

9- ] Their mouths burning from the hot peppers , our friends gulped cold water .

10- ] The students , their eyes glazed and tired , slowly filed from the testing room .

Pretest .

Identifying Verbals and Appositives .

Identify each italicized word by writing one of these labels : participle , gerund , infinitive , appositive .

1- ] I was beginning to sound like a broken record .

2- ] Working as quickly as he could , Adel secured the boat .

3- ]My brother bought an antique car , an MG convertible .

4- ] To win fairly is the goal .

5- ] The old house , a Tudor mansion , could be a beautiful residence .

6- ] I am not good at typing .

7- ] The parade is about to start .

8- ] A captain is not to leave a sinking ship until all the passengers have safely disembarked .

9- ] Sewn into the hem of the draperies , small weights keep the fabric hanging correctly .

10- ] You will enjoy swimming in that pool .

Posttest .

Identifying Verbals and Appositives

Identify each italicized word by writing one of these labels : participle , gerund , infinitive , appositive .

1- ] Students in writing class enjoy reading their own stories .

2- ] To putt accurately takes years of practice .

3- ] Lightning caused me to run for cover .

4- ] Sliding mud covered the highway .

5- ] The first scene of the movie , a flashback to World War 11 , captured the audience’s attention .

6- ] Bent with age , the old Greek sailor hobbled to the sea every day .

7- ] Spoken language is sometimes more casual than written language .

8- ] We invited our neighbors , the Richards , to dinner .

9- ] Grown in California , this fruit was shipped east in one day .

10- ] Typing my research paper took me five hours .

Pretest .

Identifying Phrases .

Identify each italicized group or words by writing one of these labels : prepositional phrase , appositive phrase , participial phrase , infinitive phrase , gerund phrase , absolute phrase .

1- ] On a farm , one gets accustomed to working in the heat .

2- ] We arrived safely , the roads being dry and virtually free of traffic .

3- ] By midsummer the corn was in tassel .

4- ] Learning a new language is difficult for many people .

5- ] Waiting impatiently for the rain to stop , my grandmother paced at the door of the grocery .

6- ] The storm raged along the southern coastline .

7- ] I have always wanted to learn woodworking .

8- ] Struck by lightning , the tree bears a six-inch scar from top to bottom .

9- ] Fruits and vegetables , the vitamin-rich foods , are also the colorful ones .

10- ] Many cities encourage residents to separate recyclable items .

Practice .

Phrases .

Identify each italicized group of words by writing one of these labels : participial phrase , infinitive phrase , gerund phrase , appositive phrase , absolute phrase , prepositional phrase .

1- ] Every Wednesday , Latifa goes to the store .

2- ] Exhausted after the race , the athlete rested for an hour .

3- ] His pants spattered with mud , the banker returned home to change his clothes .

4- ] Children like working with clay .

5- ] Standing under a beach tree , I stayed dry during the shower .

6- ] Jamal , a diligent worker , excels at his job .

7- ] Sitting in the third row of the theater , we could hear every word the actors uttered .

8- ] I am determined to learn more about geography .

9- ] That book , a guide for tourists , costs very little .

10- ] Don’t try to do everything at once .

Practice .

Identifying Phrases .

Identify each italicized group of words by writing one of these labels : participial phrase , infinitive phrase , gerund phrase , appositive phrase , absolute phrase , prepositional phrase .

1- ] The law prohibits picking the wildflowers .

2- ] To be given a difficult assignment is a challenge .

3- ] Having promised my little niece a treat , I spun homemade cotton candy for her .

4- ] Our team took the field , the storm having passed .

5- ] Drilling for oil requires financial risk .

6- ] Here and there on the rocky shoreline , fishermen hunched over their lines waiting for some luck .

7- ] The restaurant , a replica of an old railroad dining car , serves only Italian food .

8- ] Written by a teenager , this article expresses perfectly a young person’s views on education .

9- ] Mohamad decided to visit his old neighborhood .

10- ] I had toast , eggs , and orange juice for breakfast .