Types and Functions of Phrases

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining key grammar concepts, types of phrases, and modifier errors based on the lecture transcript.

Phrase

A group of words that work together to perform a certain function in a sentence, such as acting as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

Verbal phrase

A group of words that use a verb to function as another part of speech.

Gerund

A noun formed by adding -ing to a verb, which always acts as a noun in a sentence.

Infinitive

A verb form with the word to in front of it that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

Participle

A verb that functions as an adjective, always describing a noun and often starting with a verb ending in -ing or -ed.

Adverbial phrase

A group of words that together function as an adverb to modify a verb, an adjective, or an adverb, often answering when, where, or how.

Adjectival phrase

A group of words that together function as an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun.

Preposition

A part of speech that relates a noun to another word, such as at, on, from, or over.

Prepositional phrase

A phrase that begins with a preposition and ends with an object or noun, functioning as an adverb or an adjective to show direction, location, time, or introduce an object.

Misplaced modifier

A word or phrase that is incorrectly separated from the word it modifies.

Dangling modifier

A word or phrase that is in an incorrect position so that it appears to modify a part of the sentence other than the part intended, often appearing at the beginning of a sentence.