Using Phrases

Language Network

Prepositional Phrase

Using Phrases

Here’s the IdeaAs AdjectiveAs Adverb

Why It Matters

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Phrase

A phrase is a group of related words that acts as a single part of speech.

Here’s the Idea

Prepositional Phrase

A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object. It can function as an adverb or an adjective.

Here’s the Idea

By placing phrases properly, you can make your writing clear and descriptive.

Here’s the Idea

An adjective phrase modifies a noun or a pronoun.

Here’s the Idea

NOUN

PRONOUN

The dance club on Main Street holds

a contest every weekend.Some of the competitors dance

professionally.

What does each adjective phrase modify?

Here’s the Idea

An adverb phrase modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Here’s the Idea

VERB

ADJECTIVE

The graceful champion dives into the pool.

The city diving finals are the

most difficult of all competitions.

What does each adverb phrase modify?

Here’s the Idea

The placement of a prepositional phrase can affect the meaning of a sentence.

As you write, make sure that prepositional phrases appear to modify the words you want them to modify.

Why It Matters

At the dog show the woman waits

beside her dog in the purple dress.

How does the placement of the highlighted prepositional phrase affect the meaning of this sentence?

Why It Matters

At the dog show the woman in the

purple dress waits beside her dog.

How could the position of the prepositional phrase be changed to make the meaning clear?

Why It Matters

Identify the prepositional phrase, along with the word it modifies.

A news conference occurred on January 13, 1999.

1.

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Practice and Apply

Identify the prepositional phrase, along with the word it modifies.

Michael Jordan said he was retiring from the Chicago Bulls.

2.

Identify the prepositional phrase, along with the word it modifies.

The reporter asked Jordan about his future plans.

3.

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Rewrite the sentence, changing the position of a prepositional phrase so that the meaning is clear.

Sheila told us about the winning basket she made at dinner.

4.

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Rewrite the sentence, changing the position of a prepositional phrase so that the meaning is clear.

The player scored six points with the knee brace.

5.

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Participial Phrase

Using Phrases

Here’s the Idea

Why It Matters

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Participle

A participle is a verb form that acts as an adjective. It modifies a noun or a pronoun.

Here’s the Idea

NOUN

Exhausted, Monique finished her workout.

Here’s the Idea

Stumbling, the player dropped the ball.

There are two kinds of participles.

He fell to the ground, exhausted.

past participle

present participle

Here’s the Idea

Participial Phrase

A participial phrase consists of a participle plus its modifiers and complements.

Here’s the Idea

The ball dropped by Martin went

out of bounds.

Participial phrases can be used to add details to descriptions.

Here’s the Idea

Pay attention to the placement of participial phrases in your writing. A phrase in the wrong place is known as a misplaced modifier or dangling participle.

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODEL

Gasping for breath, the crowd watched the runner. The runner broke the ribbon.

DRAFT

A misplaced participial phrase, often called a misplaced modifier, modifies a word other than the one it is intended to modify.

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODEL

DRAFT

Gasping for breath, the crowd watched the runner. The runner broke the ribbon.

Who is gasping for breath?

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODELSTUDENT MODEL

DRAFT

Gasping for breath, the crowd watched the runner. The runner broke the ribbon.

REVISION

The crowd watched the runner. Gasping for breath, the runner broke the ribbon.

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODEL

Coming home with the trophy, our parrot said, “Hello!”

DRAFT

A dangling participial phrase does not logically modify any of the words in the sentence in which it appears.

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODEL

DRAFT

Coming home with the trophy, our parrot said, “Hello!”

The parrot won the trophy?

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODELSTUDENT MODEL

DRAFT

Coming home with the trophy, our parrot said, “Hello!”

REVISION

Coming home with the trophy, we heard our parrot say, “Hello!”

Why It Matters

Identify the participle and the word it modifies.

The blooming honeysuckle attracts bees.

6.

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Identify the participial phrase and the word it modifies.

Animals living in Antarctica make their homes along the coast.

7.

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Identify the participial phrase and the word it modifies.

An enormous icicle broken into several pieces lay on the sidewalk.

8.

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Rewrite the sentence to eliminate the dangling or misplaced participial phrase.

Mary Pickford played the heroine in many films known as “America’s Sweetheart.”

9.

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Rewrite the sentence to eliminate the dangling or misplaced participial phrase.

The Marshalls found their yard full

of weeds returning from their trip.

10.

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