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Types of Phrases

prepositional phrase - preposition and its object; can be used as an adjective or adverb  

  • The weirdo in the corner never talks to anyone
  • Why do we have to think outside the box?

adjective phrase - a prepositional phrase that is used as an adjective  

  • The man with the beard attacked me.
  • Do you recognize the dead man on the floor?

adverb phrase - a prepositional phrase that is used as an adverb  

  • With no hesitation, the madman jumped from the helicopter.
  • I'm crawling through the sewage pipe.

infinitive phrase - "to" and a verb; can be used as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns  

  • My plan to rule the world is underway.
  • To hack into the CIA's mainframe is my goal in life.

appositive phrase - renames a noun or pronoun; adds additional information about the noun  

  • Dr. Frankenstein, a genius, created a terrifying monster.
  • Why can't I, an annoying high school student, do the same?

participial phrase - verbal used as an adjective  

  • Driven to insanity, I spent the weekend making models out of toothpicks.
  • My dark side, filled with turmoil, threatened to take over my body.

gerund phrase - verbal with "ing" ending used as a noun  

  • Jogging is good exercise.
  • Read the story about assassinating evil trolls.

absolute phrase - aka nominative absolute; modifies the entire sentence  

  • His brain still slow and weak from the day of exams, Raymond ran into a door on his out of the school.
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English
Subject X2: 
English

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